In the “Can You Dig It” podcast episode, Dan Fuller and Joe Shields discuss the significance of art in society and its presence at Bellefontaine Cemetery. They highlight the cemetery’s diverse art forms, including sculptures, architecture, and photography, and feature notable artists like Sadie Waters, Edith Spink, and Abraham Moeller. They also mention the cemetery’s artist-in-residence program, which has featured Charles Turnell and Erin Johnston. The episode emphasizes the cemetery’s role in preserving and showcasing art, with notable pieces like the Wainwright mausoleum and the stained glass in the Cascade mausoleum.

Outline

Art and Its Role in Society

•Dan and Joe discuss the Latin phrase “Eris longa Vita brevis,” which means “Art is long, life is short.”

•Joe talks about Sadie Waters, a young artist who blazed a trail for illumination in Catholic portraits.

•Dan mentions the full-body effigy of Sadie Waters at Bellefontaine Cemetery and the family of skunks that sometimes visit it.

Art and Iconography in Bellefontaine Cemetery

•Dan and Joe discuss the importance of art and iconography in conveying messages and emotions.

•Joe mentions the Spink mausoleum and Edith Spink’s significant gift to the St. Louis Art Museum.

•Dan highlights the various forms of art found at Bellefontaine Cemetery, including architecture and perpetual mourners.

•Joe shares a quote from Kathleen Densmore about the importance of art in illustrating the human experience.

Artistic Contributions and Perpetual Mourners

•Dan and Joe discuss the significance of perpetual mourners, such as the one created by Sloan for David R. Francis.

•Joe mentions the interactive nature of perpetual mourners, which can represent different emotions for different people.

•Dan introduces the Latin phrase “Tempest fugit,” meaning “Time is fleeting,” and its depiction on a winged hourglass in the cemetery.

•Joe talks about the planning of mausoleums and monuments by families, sometimes in haste or in preparation for the future.

Architectural and Artistic Highlights

•Dan and Joe discuss the Wainwright mausoleum, designed by Louis Sullivan, and its restoration funded by the Bernoulli Foundation.

•Dan mentions Ansel Adams’ print of the Wainwright mausoleum, which is part of the cemetery’s archive.

•Joe highlights the importance of the Wainwright mausoleum and its unique design.

•Dan introduces Fitz Garen, a Medal of Honor recipient known for his innovative flashlight photography.

The Potters and Women Artists

•Dan and Joe discuss the Potters, a group of young ladies who produced a magazine as their artwork.

•Lily Rose Ernst is mentioned as the mentor of the Potters, who included Sarah Teasdale, the first person to receive a Pulitzer Prize in poetry.

•Dan explains the Potters’ magazine, which was a form of self-criticism and artistic growth.

•Joe highlights the high census of women artists at Bellefontaine Cemetery, including Sadie Waters and Eulogy Dix.

•Joe highlights the stained glass in the Cascade mausoleum, created by the internationally renowned Emil Fry Studios.

•Dan and Joe discuss the importance of the Wainwright mausoleum and its impact on the cemetery’s history.

•Joe mentions the Samuel Couples mausoleum, which houses a sculpture that was originally a monument for the family’s lost daughters.

Musical Contributions and Final Thoughts

•Joe introduces Charles Balmer, the composer of music for President Lincoln’s funeral, and Charles Galloway, the organist for the 1904 World’s Fair.

•Dan and Joe discuss the sculpture “Hope,” which is 55 feet in the air and represents early Christian symbolism.

•Joe emphasizes the importance of the cemetery’s art and architecture in preserving its history and significance.

•Dan invites listeners to explore the cemetery through various tours and events, highlighting the diverse art and history found within its grounds.