Jerzy and Peter Feiner enriched Christ the King the Catholic School, with a polychrome named "The extension of knowledge". The School is located at 617 N. Arden Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90004. The wall is 20 feet long and by 10 feet high. The Artists started in November 2000, with the sketches and presentation of different ideas. After several discussions the preliminary project was done in the scale. In the next step the large cartoons were created in the natural scale. From cartoons, the drawings were transferred to the wall. The painting was finished on 13 of March. 2001. Different paints were used; acrylic (Modern Masters ASTMD 4236), tempera (Gumbacher), metallic colors( MM. Metal ME 221), gold plate. Finished painting was sprayed by fixative (Tuffilm Final Fixative No549)
Different techniques were applied like: toping, color transparency, multi layers colors, washing, waterlogged, saturated colors and scrubbing. The color luminescence is developed in the highest degree. That was achieved by the relation of the different color temperature.
The rainbow is the main element of the composition. It is a natural phenomenon. In the popular meaning the rainbow symbolizes optimism, hope, and joy.. The rainbow accompanies all the wall, run as the large semi circle. Under the light of the shining rainbow, the students are happy and have beneficial fruitful lives. The rainbow is the symbol which God unveils to the world after a deluge as alliance with the people.
The main point of the composition is God and His glory. God is shown in the three persons. The Holy Spirit is in the center. On one side is God the Father. On the other is Jesus Christ sending a blessing to the earth and to the people by raised hands. The hands are big and strong, showing power. The eyes are full of expressions.
The Holy Spirit in the liturgy of the Catholic Church is presented as the dove. His wings encompasses all the world. He appears in the luminous circle . The circle, semi circle, round and ball are elements used very often in this mural. The circle of the Holy Spirit is shown in the diamond. That is the form of the two triangles bounded in the base. This form symbolizes the intellectual life together with the spiritual life. The Holy Spirit spreads the graces around.
God the Father directs the earth from the darkness to the light. The earth is in the golden nest and circulates in the universe. This dark area is full of stars. The earth is shown from the modern point of view: from satellite with the stream of the air, clouds and oceans, moving currents, turns and whirls. Under the feet of God the Father the darkness is shining with the Church Christ the King. The monument of Christ is on the front and the path follows to the Church. That path does not exist in reality. It is the symbol of righteousness for the people of faith. There is a small garden which reflects the other Garden on the opposite side. The right hand of God is blessing and sending the light on the Cathedral of Our Lady in Los Angeles, which is being built right now.
Jesus Christ is on the right side of God the Father. He is the King. He is shown in the gold coat and the purple dress. He holds in his hand the scepter, symbol of royal power. The jubilee symbol of two thousand years, the length of time of Christianity on the earth. That is the result of Jesus Christs activity on the earth. The blue circle contain the symbolic forms which perform the five continents under Christianity.
The Vatican is placed between the earth and heaven with the Dome of the Basilica of Saint Peter, also in the dramatic perspective. It welcomes the viewers. The large plaza welcomes the graduating students. The learning semi circle is under the base of rainbow on the right side. The group of students study the geography. They are looking on the Globe. One student is studing the book, the other is studing the map of America. The meaning of the scene is that learning is the hope of a brighter future.
The paradise Garden can be resemble with the Olive Garden and is under the feet of Jesus. The low scene is on the mural from the left side. The First Communion is the next group of the composition. The central person in this composition is the bishop dressed in the gold cap. Around him is the circle of six children. All the children are praying. Only one of them looked at the Graduation. She is dreaming and waiting for graduation. This person is looking to the next culmination scene: "Graduation". Children are dressed mostly in white and the group looks very bright.
Graduation is the focal point in the composition. The students are dressed in official costumes of red, blue and white. They hold in their hands diplomas. They look very happy after the long process of education. They are looking for future study. The boys are in the movement that means they want to continue to study. The girl is proudly looking. She already knows what she wants to study. The students in the background have a large perspective at the Vatican. It has the illusion that the graduation took place in Saint Peter Plaza, although not in reality, but in the spiritual consequences. The harpist plays the music. The music is a gift from the God. The decorative harp is lighted by reflected light from the Holy Spirit. Singing students attended the graduation.
The School Emblem above the rainbow and close to God the Father shows the symbol of the school. That is the Crown of Jesus Christ on the purple background in the circle. The vase with the flowers for the teachers is the symbol of gratitude for their efforts in education.
The other symbols in the mural can be freely interpreted.
Los Angeles, March 2001
Jerzy Feiner
