[accessibleimage] Re: Strange stones stay silent

***** Lynchburg City Schools
*****   915 Court Street - Lynchburg, VA 24505
*****   Mail Administrator - mail@xxxxxxxxxx

So here is some of the strange stuff I get sent. You want to top this one?
Oh yeah, when is spring break, those ideas that Meg Walker sent sound like fun. 
See ya Wed. (maybe). 
I may pass this online class yet. 
Kit

-----Original message-----
From: "Kaizen Program" kaizen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:42:34 -0500
To: "Tactile Graphics List" accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [accessibleimage] Strange stones stay silent

> Strange stones stay silent
> 
> By Jake Kleinschmidt for The VanCougar
> 
> The VanCougar, Washington State University, WA, USA
> 
> Posted February 03, 2009, 10:31:33 AM
> 
> http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/ss/vancougar/index.php?page=viewstory&story=780
> Apparently, the keys to the secrets of the universe are right under our
> noses. They are contained in a collection of stones and rods lying in the
> courtyard outside the library. They don't seem to serve a purpose, but a
> closer look shows they have a reason for being there after all.
> 
> Some are aware that it is Braille. However, knowledge beyond that has been
> left to the imagination. This ACE editor set out to find some answers as to
> the true nature of these stones. The VanCougar spoke with Erin Dengerink
> Madarang, the campus gallery director, about the stones outside the Library.
> 
> "It's great public art and my favorite piece," said Madarang, "You can walk
> on it, sit on it, or interact with it in any way you wish." The name of the
> stone art is "Opening the Secret." The name itself leaves an impression that
> the art is supposed to be discovered. However, it may be more difficult to
> figure out the answer. Madarand said, "Opening the Secret is more about the
> things that few people will ever know." This means that the chances of
> finding the secret are near impossible.
> 
> The problem would be that the art is actually Chinese Braille. To decipher
> the art you need at least two people to figure out what is written on the
> stones.
> 
> What we all want to know is if there are at least some hints as to what the
> bronze rods on those rocks are actually saying to us. If you go into the
> library and look straight ahead there are two white panels near a window
> facing the stones. That is the artist's statement. The answers must be
> there, right?
> 
> Not quite. The artist leaves only more intrigue as to what the stones must
> say. In 1998, Jo Hockenhull and Ann Christensen, both professors of the
> arts, traveled to China and were introduced to Li Xiu Qin, a sculptor. They
> took her back to the United States to create some art. The volcanic basalt
> stones were taken from the rock query and split for her to place the bronze
> rods into the rocks.
> 
> Li Xiu Qin said that the rocks being split are to represent the opening of
> history of Vancouver and/or the release of energy. The shape of the "concave
> and convex" forms of the stones is to be seen as yin and yang. "The 'secret
> messages'," said Li Xiu Qin, "are found in American and Chinese Braille on
> the inner pages of the opened stones. When you open the pages from your
> sense of touch, it is my hope that the pages will open the universe of your
> heart and soul." Li Xiu Qin says the art is to show that we are all equal,
> as we share the same place in the universe. The art is to honor emotion,
> community and cooperation.
> 
> So that's the secret of the stones. The translation of the braille remaines
> hidden to the students of WSU-V.
> 
> 

Kit Burnett 
Teacher of the Blind & Visually Impaired

Laurel Vision Program
401 Monticello Ave
Lynchburg City Schools
Lynchburg, VA 24501
(434)522-3716

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