The Power of Suggestion
by Cheri Randolph
Title
The Power of Suggestion
Artist
Cheri Randolph
Medium
Photograph
Description
The photograph of this interesting marble pattern was captured in the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. Our guide suggested that the placement of these two cross-sections of slabs of marble on the wall, suggested a demonic face and figure surrounded by flames. Another FAA member, Andy Prendy, has offered that this ability to see recognizable faces or creatures in mirror images of naturally occurring patterns is actually a recognized psychological phenomena known as "pareidolia" What do you think?
Hagia Sophia translates "Holy Wisdom" is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral and seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931, when it was secularized. It was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.
The Church was dedicated to the Logos, the second person of the Holy Trinity, its dedication feast taking place on 25 December, the anniversary of the Birth of the incarnation of the Logos in Christ. Although it is sometimes referred to as Sancta Sophia (as though it were named after Saint Sophia), sophia is the phonetic spelling in Latin of the Greek word for wisdom, the full name in Greek being Ναός τῆς Ἁγίας τοῦ Θεοῦ Σοφίας, "Shrine of the Holy Wisdom of God".
Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is said to have "changed the history of architecture." It remained the world's largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years thereafter, until Seville Cathedral was completed in 1520. The current building was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and was the third Church of the Holy Wisdom to occupy the site, the previous two having both been destroyed by rioters. It was designed by the Greek scientists Isidore of Miletus, a physicist, and Anthemius of Tralles, a mathematician.
Uploaded
January 29th, 2013
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Viewed 153 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 02/02/2024 at 10:12 PM
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Comments (10)
Bob Orsillo
Awesome!! v/f
Cheri Randolph replied:
Bob, I am complimented to have your positive response to this. Appreciate the v/f as well!
Benanne Stiens
Wow, I see it. Outstanding capture! V/F
Cheri Randolph replied:
Benanne, Thanks! It was pretty interesting to see it there. Appreciate the v/f!
EMONA Art
Beautiful and interesting photo of this marble pattern, Cheri!!! Love it! F&V
Cheri Randolph replied:
Emona Art, It was that. Thanks for your compliment and the f/v - both are much appreciated.
Joan Carroll
great capture! visting and voting in your portfolio today!
Cheri Randolph replied:
Joan, I'm complimented that you noticed this one. Appreciate that you selected my gallery for voting today!
Karol Livote
Well, I do see it!! Great capture, Cheri! Vtd
Cheri Randolph replied:
Karol, thanks for noticing this one and giving it a vote. I uploaded it in response to a discussion in Memories & Nostalgia Group.
Kelly Kitchens
I see the scary face! What a capture! V
Cheri Randolph replied:
Kelly, it was certainly interesting to see it there. Thanks for visiting & voting.