Fountains Abbey

2015, 30 minutes

In 1132, thirteen Benedictine monks decided to build an abbey in a remote valley in England with hopes of returning to a simpler life. What they created became a landmark, a holy site that still moves and inspires visitors today. Our episode opens with the subdued dawn light revealing the stately ruins of Fountains Abbey. Many of the original stones have fallen and more are covered in rich green moss, but the building still holds a noble air of historical significance . As the sun rises, rays of light play across the clean and soaring lines of the abbey’s arches and windows. Built for function, the abbey’s beauty can be attributed to its grand size and soaring architectural lines. As we explore the abbey ruins, its grounds, and the nearby Abbot’s House manor, one is compelled to imagine the abundance that once characterized life here.

This is one episode of the television series BIG PICTURE EARTH. Inspired by the Walt Whitman poem "There Was A Child Went Forth," this 20 x 30 minute series takes viewers on a visual exploration of the most majestic spaces on the planet, engaging both the detail and the big picture vistas in these spectacular destinations.  The series is available for domestic and international audiences via on-demand streaming on CuriosityStream, in 4k resolution (twice that of HD television). The editorial style and pacing is slow and relaxed, constantly moving like a child, like a bird, like a bee.  There are no actors, no narration, no music, no spoken words at all.