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An ethnographic account of daily life in Durham Cathedral, this book examines the processes of negotiation and change between a community and their cathedral. Focusing on the role of sound, light, time, space, building and dwelling, the author argues that Durham Cathedral is much more than just a backdrop to everyday life. Rather, through the constant processes of negotiation and change, it is a fully engaged participant in the daily lives of those who use Durham Cathedral. As such, it is not a place in which life happens, but a place with which life happens.
“This is an exceptionally interesting, theoretically engaging, empirically rich and above all, highly lucid and well-structured book that I have found very enjoyable to read.” • Tim Edensor, Manchester Metropolitan University
“The book offers a nuanced and insightful ethnography of Durham Cathedral and those who engage with it. Calvert reveals the complex, dynamic and mutually constitutive relationships people have with the building, highlighting the importance of its materialities, affordances, and spatio-temporal relations. It is an important book for those who want to understand the multifaceted lives of these monumental edifices, as well as those interested in wider questions concerning religion and modernity.” • Sian Jones, University of Stirling
Arran J. Calvert has published on the topics of space, time, singing and LEGO building. His current research explores the relationships with deep time that exist in a former mining village in County Durham.
List of Figures
Part I: Life in Durham Cathedral
Chapter 1. Community?
Chapter 2. ‘I’m not religious but…’
Chapter 3. Pilgrims and Tourists
Part II: Experiencing Durham Cathedral
Chapter 4. The Sound of Durham Cathedral
Chapter 5. The Light of Durham Cathedral
Chapter 6. Space and Time in Durham Cathedral
Part II: The Living Cathedral
Chapter 7. Building
Chapter 8. Dwelling
Chapter 9. Changing
Conclusion
Postscript
References
Index