Carly Hyatt and Professor Val Brinkerhoff, Visual Arts

Through my ORCA project and working closely with a mentoring professor, I have learned much more than how to conduct effective research. I was able to explore a passion of mine, religious architecture, in a very unique setting. Originally, my plan was to go to Italy and evaluate the effects of traditional styles on the modern Italian society. Early in the planning stages, we encountered difficulties with housing and travel logistics, and I had my first lesson in flexibility. My mentor, Professor Brinkerhoff, and I looked for new directions, and settled on looking at the effects of traditional styles on a completely different culture. This brought me to my current project in Hawaii and my focus on European sacred architecture in the Pacific.

Once in Hawaii, I kept in contact with Prof. Brinkerhoff through regular email correspondence. As I visited the churches, cathedrals, and museums, I was able to explore new questions that I had not originally thought of. Having a mentor helped me as I encountered symbols or doctrine that I did not quite understand. I had the valuable resource of a more experienced researcher to guide or point me in the right direction.

I found the members of the congregations extremely helpful, as well as the priests, historians, and administrators for the buildings that I researched. One important lesson I learned while carrying out my project was how to ask the right questions. My genuine interest in the subject matter went a long way with those that I met, and it often led to valuable contacts and meeting with knowledgeable and qualified professionals. I also learned early on that I needed to have an open mind and be willing to explore options that I had not thought of. I had done my preliminary research almost exclusively on European and Christian buildings. I quickly found however, that Hawaiian and other Pacific Island cultures were heavily influenced by Asian and Buddhist styles and customs. This definitely affected how they viewed Christianity and the styles that came from the fusion of these very different cultures and belief systems.

The highlight of my research project was the trip to Kalaupapa, a peninsula on the island of Molokai. I chose this destination specifically to study the church built for the leper colonies on the peninsula. The history surrounding the church and the people who lived there was incredible. Delving into a topic I had not originally planned on researching, I explored the effects of persecution and trend s in construction under physically and emotionally trying times. Those exiled on Kalaupapa had limited resources, skills, and experience, yet they completed a beautiful place of worship. This act reflected so much about the attitude of the Hawaiian people and their dedication to their God, and a relatively new religion.

In addition to visiting Molokai, and many congregations of other Christian denominations, I was able to apply what I learned about traditional Christian architecture to LDS architecture in Hawaii. Given the church’s fascinating history in the islands, it follows that the early members and their buildings of worship have a unique and distinct style as well. Themes of growth despite persecution and hardships were common among many early Hawaiian LDS congregations. Through their buildings, it became evident what was most important to those converts. A beautiful mosaic on the front of the Tabernacle in Honolulu demonstrates the dedication and desire to create something sacred and special. The monument celebrating maternity in front of the temple in Laie reflects the importance of Hawaiian women and their role in the society’s history. The beautiful friezes surrounding the temple are rich with symbolic imagery, and teach countless gospel lessons through the depictions of prophets, members of the church, and important historical figures.

Upon returning, I put together a presentation for the LDS Temples class, here at BYU. I was able to get feedback and see which ideas and images my fellow students could relate and respond to. It was an incredible opportunity to share what I had spent weeks studying, and to make connections to and explore further what those students were learning about in class. Later, during fall semester, I was asked to present my project during a seminar for my college to encourage my classmates to explore topics beyond what they cover in a classroom. I am so grateful for these opportunities to share my research, as well as the opportunity I had to explore this subject, and for the life-long lessons I have learned as a result of participating in the ORCA program.