Interview with Paul Quenon, January 10, 2002

Partial Transcript: Tell me, uh, when and why you began to do photography.

Segment Synopsis: Paul Quenon explains how his interest in the arts evolved into a passion for photography during his stay in Nigeria. He describes the work he performed while in Nigeria and explains his reasons for traveling there. He compares and contrasts the types of monasticism between it and America.

Keywords: Artistic; Biafran War; Catholicism; Cultures; Customs; Diversity; Environment; Fine arts; Monasticism; Nigerian; Opportunities; Passion; Perspectives; Photos; Traveling; Visual arts; Volunteering

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Beliefs and believers; Brothers; Cameras; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Civil war; Education; Families; Hobbies; Lifestyles; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Nigeria; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; Pictures; Poverty; Priests; Religion; Religions; Siblings; Theologians; Trappists; Travel; United States; Volunteers; Wars

Partial Transcript: What do you hope to do with your work?

Segment Synopsis: Quenon explains how he takes photographs as a form of contemplation, expression, and sharing ideas. He discusses his intrigue with photographing an old lumber shed, and describes his interest in two-dimensional composition.

Keywords: 2D; Abstract; Black and white; Catholicism; Compositions; Fine arts; Monasticism; Photos; Religious beliefs; Shots; Snapshots; Two dimensional; Two-dimensional; Visual arts

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Abstraction; Arts; Composition (Art); Curiosity; Hobbies; Lighting; Lumber sheds; Monasteries; Monks; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; Silhouettes; Texture (Art); Textures

Partial Transcript: Would you describe your style of photography?

Segment Synopsis: Quenon explains how he has practiced a variety of photographic styles throughout his life, including constructivism, abstraction, and impressionism. He describes the subject matter in his photos and explains the different techniques he uses to highlight principles of design. He says that he now takes photos of monks and life within the monastery, explaining that he hopes to create a book of his photographs.

Keywords: Black and white; Constructivism; Distortions; Elements of art; Fine arts; Photos; Principles of art; Principles of design; Visual arts

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Abstraction; Art genres; Hobbies; Impressionism; Impressionism (Art); Lenses; Lifestyles; Monasteries; Monks; Painting; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; Styles; Texture (Art)

Partial Transcript: Do the brothers mind you taking pictures?

Segment Synopsis: Quenon describes his social anxiety when it comes to taking photos of his fellow monks. He explains the difficulty that comes from wanting to simultaneously participate in and take photographs of the ceremonies, events, etc.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Ceremonies; Churches; Fine arts; Gethsemani; Monasticism; Multi-tasking; Photos; Praying; Social anxiety; Visual arts

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Communities; Hobbies; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; Pictures; Religion; Theologians; Trappists; Work

Partial Transcript: Who are you taking your pictures for?

Segment Synopsis: Quenon talks about how he's gained confidence as a photographer as his work continues to be appreciated by audiences. He explains how sharing photos with others is both a form of contemplation and a way to exchange perceptions with one another. He says that his fellow monks provide helpful criticism for his photographs which allows him to improve.

Keywords: Catholicism; Contemplatives; Customs; Fine arts; Monasticism; Perspectives; Photos; Religious beliefs; Visual arts; Worldviews

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Art appreciation; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Communities; Contemplation; Criticism; Critics; Hobbies; Lifestyles; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Perspective; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; Pictures; Religion; Theologians; Trappists

Partial Transcript: Does Merton's work as a photographer influence you today in any way?

Segment Synopsis: Quenon talks about his appreciation of Thomas Merton's photography and describes Merton's minimal art style. He says that this style influenced his own work on a project he started while cleaning up trees in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Appreciation; Black and white; Branches; Environment; Fine arts; Form; Gethsemani; Hurricane Hugo; Impressions; John Griffin; John Howard Griffin; Mepkin Abbey; Methods; Monasticism; Opportunities; Photos; Thomas Merton; Visual arts; Volunteering

Subjects: Abbeys; Aesthetics; Art; Artists; Arts; Emulations; Exhibitions; Form (Aesthetics); Griffin, John Howard, 1920-1980; Hobbies; Hurricane Hugo, 1989; Hurricanes; Imitations; Influences; Inspiration; Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968; Minimal art; Monasteries; Monks; Natural disasters; Opportunity; Perception; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; Pictures; Series; South Carolina; Styles; Trees; Volunteers; Work

Partial Transcript: Going to more of the, I guess, somewhat technical aspect of it, uh, ah, very tangible, watching you handle the camera, I can tell that you took pleasure in just, just the changing of the lenses and the, and the manipulating of the camera.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon describes the type of camera he uses and how he tends to shoot photos. He explains how keeping the camera in one position for a long time allows him the best results.

Keywords: 35mm; Camerawork; Fine arts; Habits; Pace; Photos; Routines; Shots; Snapshots; Visual arts

Subjects: 35mm cameras; Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Cameras; Hobbies; Leica camera; Monasteries; Monks; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; Pictures; Techniques

Partial Transcript: Is it a stretch to say that your photography, the process of doing the, of doing the photography is a form of worship?

Segment Synopsis: Quenon talks about how and why he distinguishes photography from his prayer life. He explains how being outdoors and capturing beautiful moments in time with photography acts as an extension of his monastic lifestyle and beliefs.

Keywords: Catholicism; Contemplating; Contemplatives; Contrivance; Cultures; Customs; Fine arts; Meditating; Monasticism; Outdoors; Outside; Photos; Praying; Religious beliefs; Visual arts

Subjects: Abbeys; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Contemplation; Discipline; Hobbies; Meditation; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; Pictures; Prayer; Religion; Theologians; Trappists; Worship

Partial Transcript: How about your work in the dark room?

Segment Synopsis: Quenon describes the process of editing and revising his photos in a darkroom.

Keywords: Brightness; Dark rooms; Darkness; Darkrooms; Fine arts; Lights; Photos; Shades; Shading; Shots; Skills; Snapshots; Talents; Visual arts; Wombs

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Editing; Hobbies; Light; Lighting; Monasteries; Monks; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; Pictures; Prints; Shadow; Shadows

Partial Transcript: Knowing audiences somewhat, I know that some will watch you working with the camera and cameras and nice lenses, and go, "how does a monk have this very nice equipment?"

Segment Synopsis: Quenon discusses the history of the monastery's cameras and camera equipment, passed on from different monks over many years and eventually being inherited by him.

Keywords: 35mm; Abbey of Gethsemani; Air Force; Bequests; Enola Gay; Fine arts; Focus; Gethsemani; Hollywood; Inheritance; John Howard Griffin; Monasticism; Movie stars; Photos; Rangefinders; Visual arts

Subjects: 35mm cameras; Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Biographies; Cameras; Celebrities; Enola Gay (Bomber); Griffin, John Howard, 1920-1980; History; Hobbies; Leica camera; Lenses; Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968; Monasteries; Monks; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; Pictures; Rangefinders (Photography); Screenwriters; Writers

Partial Transcript: When did you start your poetry, and describe the type of poetry that, that you do--the school of poetry that you're in, if that's the correct term.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon discusses his interest in poetry and compares it to his prayer life. He describes how his poetry has grown and evolved over years of practice.

Keywords: Catholicism; Customs; Languages; Monasticism; Praying; Religious beliefs; Taverns

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Hobbies; Language arts; Linguistics; Literature; Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Poetry; Poets; Prayer; Religion; Trappists

Partial Transcript: I'm gonna switch gears and, and, and ask you just to give me a, uh, a brief thumbnail sketch of your family.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon describes his family and explains that he is the only Catholic among them. He says that, while he doesn't stay in close contact with his family, he gets along well with and feels thankful for them.

Keywords: Catholicism; Churches; Draftsmen; Monasticism; Thankfulness

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Church; Coal; Glass; Miners; Monasteries; Monks; Mothers; Religion; Religions; Sisters; West Virginia

Partial Transcript: What were the influences in your home?

Segment Synopsis: Quenon describes his home life and says that it taught him how to live alongside other people with different viewpoints. He discusses his family's backgrounds and current activities, and explains how his childhood life may have inspired his passion for nature.

Keywords: Catholicism; Churches; Colleges; Monasticism; Record players; Religious beliefs; Worldviews

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Abbots; Catholic schools; Catholics; Childhood; Christianity; Christians; Church; Criticism; Critics; Education; Expression; Families; Fathers; Heritage; Monasteries; Monks; Mothers; Music; Nature; Parents; Religion; Siblings; West Virginia

Partial Transcript: You've mentioned that your church was not exactly in lockstep with your own.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon describes his family's reactions towards learning about his decision to join the monastery.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Family; Gethsemani; Monasticism

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Beliefs and believers; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Families; Lifestyles; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Religion; Theologians; Trappists

Partial Transcript: Where did your inclination come from?

Segment Synopsis: Quenon talks about the books and writings that influenced him to join the monastic life.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Gethsemani; Imitation of Christ; Monasticism; Praying; Religious beliefs; The Seven Storey Mountain

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Authors; Autobiographies; Biographies; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Prayer; Reading; Religion; Theologians; Trappists

Partial Transcript: I hear in many cases twins are very close and they share these things and sometimes they intuitively know things about each other.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon explains why he rarely conversed about the monastery or the monastic lifestyle with others.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Family; Gethsemani; Monasticism; Pastors; Perspectives

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Culture; Families; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Religion; Siblings; Sisters; Theologians; Trappists

Partial Transcript: Describe your life as a monk as simply as possible.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon gives a summation of his life as a monk, describing it as a life in which he constantly receives insight and lives almost entirely on instinct.

Keywords: Catholicism; Customs; Monasticism; Priorities

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Daily life; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Philosophy; Religion; Theologians; Trappists

Partial Transcript: I'll ask a very, probably dumb question, but it, it's never stopped me before.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon explains how he lives in a constant state of prayer and how he continues to follow his routines even outside the monastery.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Churches; Customs; Emptiness; Gethsemani; Monasticism; Praying; Religious beliefs; Routines

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Beliefs and believers; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Church; Habit; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Prayer; Religion; Religions; Theologians; Trappists

Partial Transcript: When somebody comes here--I know I feel something.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon describes the historical architecture of the Abbey of Gethsemani and the rich atmosphere of its surrounding environment.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Gethsemani; Monasticism

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Architecture; Beliefs and believers; Buildings; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; History; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Nuns; Religion; Theologians; Trappists

Partial Transcript: Share with me--uh, you, you have a lot of friends in the outside world, for lack of a better term.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon describes the reactions of people who visit Gethsemani and what he believes draws them there.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Gethsemani; Monasticism; Religious retreats; Retreats; Universities

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Religion; Theologians; Trappists

Partial Transcript: Um, there's a bit-- uh, describe your sleeping arrangement that you maintain most days when it's not fifteen degrees below zero.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon explains his love of solitude and how his sleeping habits reflect this. He describes the outer, private building which he uses as a bedroom.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Cultures; Customs; Environment; Gethsemani; Houses; Isolation; Monasticism; Outdoors; Outside; Religious beliefs; Seclusion; Sleeping; Worldviews

Subjects: Abbeys; Atmosphere; Bedrooms; Beliefs and believers; Buildings; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Communities; Culture; Daily life; Habit; Hermits; Lifestyles; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Nature; Night; Peace; Religion; Religions; Rooms; Sleep; Sleeping customs; Solitude; Theism; Theists; Theologians; Trappists

Partial Transcript: To me, it seems fair to say that you have a special affinity for Merton.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon describes his appreciation for Thomas Merton and how Merton's literary works continue to influence his life. He explains how he carries on Merton's legacy through his work at different organizations.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Cultures; Gethsemani; Masters; Monasticism; Religious beliefs; The Seven Storey Mountain

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Autobiographies; Biographies; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Communities; Hermitages; International Thomas Merton Society; Lifestyles; Literature; Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968; Monasteries; Monks; Religion; Theologians; Thomas Merton Foundation; Trappists

Partial Transcript: What does uh, what does Merton mean to Gethsemani today?

Segment Synopsis: Quenon describes the impact that Thomas Merton has had on the Abbey of Gethsemani and monastic life across the world.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Gethsemani; Monasticism; Relationships

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Religion; Role models; Spirituality; Theologians; Trappists

Partial Transcript: Describe for somebody who has no idea about the office or the, the way the office is conducted.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon describes his role as a cantor for the monastery's choir. He reflects on his singing ability and describes the variety of psalms that he sings.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Cantors; Catholicism; Gethsemani; Immersion; Monasticism; Praying; Vocal range

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Baritones (Singers); Cantors (Church music); Catholics; Choirs (Music); Christianity; Christians; Geography; History; Hymns; Lifestyles; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Prayer; Psalms; Theologians; Trappists

Partial Transcript: I, I feel certain that this must change, but, but give me an example or two of richest moments inquire for you.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon discusses his love of liturgy and describes the effect it has when made a daily habit. He describes the last gathering of the day, known as compline, within the monastery.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Commitment; Customs; Gethsemani; Monasticism; Monotonous; Monotony; Praying; Religious beliefs; Routines; Tedium

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Catholics; Choirs (Music); Christianity; Christians; Compline; Lifestyles; Liturgies; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Music; Prayer; Religion; Theologians; Trappists; Worship

Partial Transcript: So, should a monk expect to be happy or content or--

Segment Synopsis: Quenon gives his perspective on the pursuit of happiness and describes his philosophy that one should separate happiness from their life goals. He explains how his religious beliefs coincide with his own feelings of happiness that he receives from his life as a monk.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Emotional health; Gethsemani; Monasticism; Religious beliefs; Worldviews

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Beliefs and believers; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Health; Mental health; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Religion; Theologians; Transcendence (Philosophy); Trappists

Partial Transcript: Describe your work as a cook.

Segment Synopsis: Quenon describes his work as a cook within the monastery and explains how it appeals to his creative side.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Chefs; Culinary; Customs; Gethsemani; Ingredients; Monasticism; Worldviews

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Cooking; Cooks; Culture; Food; Kitchens; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monks; Recipes; Religion; Theologians; Trappists

Partial Transcript: Last question, are you inspired or depressed by new entries, or the lack of new entries, or departures by brothers through the, you know, through the years--

Segment Synopsis: Quenon discusses his thoughts about the monastery's membership and the longevity of the monastic life as a whole.

Keywords: Abbey of Gethsemani; Catholicism; Churches; Detachment; Monasticism; Religious beliefs; Spiritual; Worldviews

Subjects: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.); Abbeys; Catholics; Christianity; Christians; Church; Communities; History; Monasteries; Monastic and religious life; Monasticism and religious orders; Monks; Religion; Theologians