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Milan, Casa Campanini, Entry Gate. Designed by Alfredo Campanini (1873\u20131926). Photograph by Giovanni Dall’Orto (26 February 2008), Share Alike 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Giovanni Dall’Orto, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n
For the Year 2025, the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence chooses the Theme of “Thresholds and Communities”<\/strong> for exploration as part of its activities and projects.<\/p>\n We began the year’s activities with Episode 19 of our online series wherein “The Research Group Speaks”<\/a>, in a roundtable discussion introducing the theme and our planned activities. The discussion considered multiple aspects, meanings, and approaches to Thresholds<\/strong>, functioning also as Gateways, Portals, Doors, and Entrances<\/strong> of many kinds.<\/p>\n For activities planned for the year, see:<\/p>\n As the year progresses, we will ‘visit’ thresholds of different kinds as we observe their variety. Likewise we will visit communities of various kinds, from the past, present, and perhaps future, as we cultivate the community of the RGME, its participants, audience, friends, and others in the wider world.<\/p>\n For example, appreciating the photography which showcases the creativity of the design and monumentality of the construction, we might admire the portal to the Casa Campanini<\/a>, constructed between 1903 and 1906 and designed by the architect Alfredo Campanini<\/a> (1873\u20131926). Standing at 11 Via Bellini in Milan, Italy, the main entrance is flanked by a pair of caryatids<\/a> formed in concrete by the sculptor Michele Vedani<\/a> (1874\u20131969). Designed by Campanini and created by Alessandro Mazzucotelli<\/a> (1865\u20131938), the wrought iron gate is decorated with graceful floral motifs.<\/p>\n Milan, Casa Campanini, Art Nouveau Style, completed in 1906. Designed by Alfredo Campanini. Image via Dhona, via https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/Italian.liberty\/posts\/9132766936775312\/.<\/p><\/div>\n We begin with a survey of passages referring to one or more “threshold” in the Bible.<\/p>\n Copenhagen, Entrance to Carlsberg Brewery, built 1901. In addition to physical spaces, “Thresholds” in metaphysical, spiritual, and metaphorical terms are places of transition, which represent beginnings and ending<\/span>s. Navigating them can pose challenges or difficulties. Some of them might not be meant to be traversed, as barriers or points of demarcation. Not always is their passage guaranteed, advisable, or bi-directional. Their presence can be worthy of respect, awe, wonder, admiration, and contemplation.<\/p>\n They offer points of boundary, division, and potential meeting-points for communities.<\/p>\n More to come.<\/p>\n Wells Cathedral, Medieval Door to Undercroft. Wood dated dendochronologically to circa 1265. Image via https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=374843081890636&id=100080948424342&set=a.155695930472020.<\/p><\/div>\n Our events in 2025 on multiple subjects continue to respond to the theme in a myriad of ways. We give thanks to its inspiration and guiding principles.<\/p>\n For example, parts of our 2025 RGME Autumn Colloquium on Fragments<\/a> invoked the explorations across the thresholds into communities of distinctly different kinds enshrined in the Divina Commedia<\/em> by Dante Alighieri<\/a>. See:<\/p>\n\n
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Doorways as Grand Entrances<\/h2>\n
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Thresholds in Literature<\/h2>\n
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\nJudges 19:27<\/strong><\/span>
\n1 Kings 14:17<\/strong><\/span>
\n2 Chronicles 3:7 <\/strong>(the threshold of the Temple, lined with gold)<\/span>
\nIsaiah 6:4
\n<\/strong><\/span>Ezekiel 46:2<\/strong> (guards at the threshold of the Temple)<\/span>
\nZephaniah 1:9<\/strong><\/span>
\n1 Samuel 5:4-5 <\/strong>(dismembered parts of the fallen idol Dagon laid at the threshold of the temple of idols)
\n\u2014 Illustrated, for example, in the Morgan Crusader Bible<\/a>
\n(New York, Morgan Library and Museum, MS M.361, fol. 21r<\/a>)<\/span>
\nJeremiah 35:4<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/481079845_122224744694226885_7617390540285999599_n.jpg\")
Image via https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/story.php?story_fbid=122224750046226885&id=61556806553551&post_id=61556806553551_122224750046226885&rdid=4h6i5pJiunR2zey7.<\/p><\/div>\nImport of a Theme, Place, or Possibility<\/h2>\n
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Theme and Opportunities<\/h2>\n
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