No, it's not the movie staring Robert De Niro, (one of my favorites), but a visit to the Carmel Mission Fiesta. I gave the fiesta passing notice, and then spent the rest of my time photographing this lovely site, rich in history, as it was the founding of Monterey as the capitol of California. A painting depicts the moment here:
Note that the two forces, both sharp blades of the conquest of this new land, are prominently featured--a company of Conquistadors bearing the arms that took the land from the hapless local natives who peek at the spectacle in clueless curiosity, and then their Jesuit brethren, bearing scripture and the mighty pen, the religious ideas that would eradicate the indigenous culture with equal efficiency. Consider this next image, where the priest holds his bible to pass on the new credo. The local natives surrounding him depict the warriors and traders, and the squaw and her child showing that the message delivered would transform every aspect of the indigenous culture, not only this generation, but those that followed.
These thoughts crossed my mind as I toured the place, realizing that the church was as much a fortress of occupation in a foreign land as anything else when it was first built. The deeply recessed windows on the mission buildings were perfect subjects for my camera, but I could not help but notice they were all well guarded by rusted iron bars with ornate metal fittings designed for one purpose only--to prevent a human from gaining entry to the mission grounds and buildings. Certainly the west was a wild and sometimes dangerous place, but only those properly "converted" to the new faith and way of life the Spanish brought would gain easy entry here.
I also passed a comical moment listening to the fiesta band playing "Wolly Bully" in the basillica courtyard as our 21st century locals ate barbecued chicken and danced. Somehow the grating rock chords and thrumming base line echoing off the mission walls seemed so jaring and out of place. It is clear that other forces and cultural influences have long since replaced the enormous power "the Church" once wielded in Western civilization. That said, the chapel and altar, and all the other shrines and prayer gardens, still held their charm and an air of serenity and mystic power.
Here's the full gallery of shots I took on this visit. Enjoy!
Note that the two forces, both sharp blades of the conquest of this new land, are prominently featured--a company of Conquistadors bearing the arms that took the land from the hapless local natives who peek at the spectacle in clueless curiosity, and then their Jesuit brethren, bearing scripture and the mighty pen, the religious ideas that would eradicate the indigenous culture with equal efficiency. Consider this next image, where the priest holds his bible to pass on the new credo. The local natives surrounding him depict the warriors and traders, and the squaw and her child showing that the message delivered would transform every aspect of the indigenous culture, not only this generation, but those that followed.
These thoughts crossed my mind as I toured the place, realizing that the church was as much a fortress of occupation in a foreign land as anything else when it was first built. The deeply recessed windows on the mission buildings were perfect subjects for my camera, but I could not help but notice they were all well guarded by rusted iron bars with ornate metal fittings designed for one purpose only--to prevent a human from gaining entry to the mission grounds and buildings. Certainly the west was a wild and sometimes dangerous place, but only those properly "converted" to the new faith and way of life the Spanish brought would gain easy entry here.
I also passed a comical moment listening to the fiesta band playing "Wolly Bully" in the basillica courtyard as our 21st century locals ate barbecued chicken and danced. Somehow the grating rock chords and thrumming base line echoing off the mission walls seemed so jaring and out of place. It is clear that other forces and cultural influences have long since replaced the enormous power "the Church" once wielded in Western civilization. That said, the chapel and altar, and all the other shrines and prayer gardens, still held their charm and an air of serenity and mystic power.
Here's the full gallery of shots I took on this visit. Enjoy!
