The exterior was last cleaned in 1978 with a water solution — but the results were “not as dramatic” because it wasn’t pressure-washed, [Kate Monaghan, a spokeswoman for St. Pat’s].After my first year of law school, I had a job in a law office in Rockefeller Center with windows at the level of the cathedral towers. Throughout the summer of 1979, I looked up from my work and gazed at the men on scaffolding washing the cathedral. How strange to see the before-and-after photographs in the news today! The "after" picture is just like the cathedral I saw back then.
And that new "before" picture? What a profound depiction of the passage of time in my life! It says: That's you, now. (And the "after" picture — years of grime removed — represents me at 28.)
IN THE COMMENTS: Paco Wové said: "Amazing how much cleaner the surrounding buildings got."
I said: "Good eye, Paco." And: "now I feel pretty!"
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22 comments:
I would like to 'pressure-wash' Kate Moss.
I am Laslo.
Amazing how much cleaner the surrounding buildings got.
"Amazing how much cleaner the surrounding buildings got."
Good eye, Paco.
And now I feel pretty!
Ah well Ms. Althouse. Over the years a bit of dirt, grit, and grime gets washed into all of us.
There is an unfortunate double standard in that on a man the result of that is called "character" and on a woman "age".
But that's all surface and superficial stuff--what's underneath the exterior doesn't change.
Ted Kennedy having stepped foot into St. Patrick's Cathedral should have desanctified it on the spot.
I am Laslo.
$180 million restoration!
A spiritual pressure washer would be a valuable product among today's over-40 crowd.
Grime on the other two partially visible buildings are also gone in the 'after' picture from God effect.
Ooops, sorry. I now see Paco beat me to it.
fly me to the Moon...
whenever i'm alone with you
you make me feel like i am free again
whenever i'm alone with you
you make me feel like i am clean again
"But that's all surface and superficial stuff--what's underneath the exterior doesn't change."
If you read the article you'll see one of the reasons they cleaned it was because chunks were starting to fall off. The grime on the surface was starting to eat into the structure and weaken it. So it was more than superficial.
Also, in the article they used the term "stain-glass windows". Shouldn't it be "stained-glass windows"?
"Paco Wové said...
Amazing how much cleaner the surrounding buildings got."
I think that's just lighting.
The before photo the facades are in shadow. The after they are in sunlight. Probably to enhance the look of the restoration.
Christmas Midnight Mass at these old cathedrals are awesome. I remember going as a teenager. Lots of drunks, loud singing and momentary good will. Saint Patrick’s is reserved seating, no drunks allowed. The Basilica of Saint Peter and Paul in Lewiston Maine is almost as magnificent. Largest church in New England and took 30 years to build. Just recently rehabbed. Bring your Allen’s Coffee Brandy.
I thought tenured lawprofs got sandblasted....power washing is used for the untenured.
Paco Wové said: "Amazing how much cleaner the surrounding buildings got."
That's some powerful overspray.
Paco Wové said...
"Amazing how much cleaner the surrounding buildings got."
Did the picture get "adjusted" to justify spending 180 million dollars on cleaning the building? Or 120 mill since it is 2/3rds done? Who is footing that bill? I would happily wash your building for 120 million dollars.
$25 million on cleaning, the remainder, from the text, on a more general restoration.
They used a mixture of water and glass beads? Where do the glass beads go? Do they disintegrate?
It looks beautiful. It is an awe-some building.
Jane the Actuary said...
"$25 million on cleaning, the remainder, from the text, on a more general restoration."
So how long would it take 5 people with pressure washers and some scaffolding? A year? Two?
Somebody did well.
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