This Flowering Path: My Journey Abroad: Art In Life: Final Blog Assignment

A Weekend in Dublin and Glimpses of our Final Tour

JB: First off, I want to say I'm so very sorry about the turd that took your purse. It will bite them in the butt for sure. In the mean time, have hope in knowing that everything happens for a reason and it will all turn out!

#Uno- A Tour of Trinity College

This past thursday we embarked on our final loop of the journey of tours. I'm pretty sure we were all applauding in our head, but that's beside the matter. Our tour guide (I cannot recall her name, ironically) was one of the best guides we have had in the list of many guides. Her witty dialogue made learning the history of Trinity a breeze. Trinity College was created under royal charter in the year of 1552. Through the course of 4 centuries, the college developed into multiple institutions divided by everything from rule to religion. In the front of campus the buildings are constructed in the Victorian style with accents reflecting many cultures in the detail of the buildings. The majestic columns that hold up the great walls of the college are constructed in the corinthian style. This is a direct reflection of Greek influence. As you work your way to the back of the school, you will easily notice that the buildings develop into a more modern style (i.e. libraries). An interesting fact regarding the the school's buildings: they are built upon a river that runs below the floor of the city. This river has caused multiple instance of "sinking" foundations. The guide told us that one building had to be built at least four times until it finally stood tall on a foundation of reinforced wooden beams and stack arches below the surface.

Entry way to main campus

Another angle from front campus

Our super awesome "final" tour guide!

The inside of the library above the "Book of Kells", I had the urge to call this a nave.

#Dos- "Sphere within Sphere"

On the grounds of Trinity College one can see the "Sphere within Sphere"; a bronze piece created by sculptor, Arnaldo Pomodoro. This piece resembles a sphere with a dissected middle revealing the internal workings of the overall sphere. Although many are unsure of it's exact compositional meaning, many students regard it's likeness to that of a ship from Star Wars or a zombie pac-man. The same piece can be found throughout the world in locations like the Vatican Museums and the UN Headquarters in New York City. I actually enjoyed this piece, I thought the fact that it was unidentified as something truly specific made it all the more unique. I think it actually describes the school in a way. The outer shell of the school is beautiful but what is held beneath the shell is even more captivating.

Sphere Within Sphere, Arnoldo Pomedoro..couldn't find a date on this one!

The man himself, Arnoldo Pomodoro.

#Tres- Beatty Library, Sacred Traditions Exhibition

Created in 1969, the Chester Beatty Library is an "organization" developed to preserve and share the collection of the late Chester Beatty. Of his 400 ton collection, 3-4% of it is displayed for the public in order to grasp a visual understanding of the relations of Ireland with other ends of the world. This is seen in the inspirations found between Asian/Western works and the culture of Ireland. The library is funded 90% by the government in order to provide a free, public space as well as preserve the treasures of Chester Beatty. On the guided tour of the library, I was particularly fond of the Sacred Traditions Exhibition found on the top floor of the building. The collection holds many artifacts from religions such as Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity. I found this to be particularly interesting because of previous studies I've taken in World Religion. World religion has always been a subject of extracurricular interest in college so it was rather special to see such dated displays from those religions.

***pictures from internet due to strict no photography policy