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Thanks Michael for the provocative question - but it is terribly depressing to ponder... I suppose that the discussion depends somewhat on how we understand the term "religion." Without making too much of it, I suppose we could use a basic definition, such as: the ordered(structured) and communal(shared) response(communication/communion) to the divine by the faithful. The gathering together, the structure and practice of the faith community is what gives rise to the physcial facilities that we design to literally facilitate worship and communion. Any communal enterprise requires order, and order engenders a visible form/structure to the common expression of a group - i.e. ritual. Then when we speak of "the spiritual" that fills in the place of common religious expression I take it to mean the highly individual or personal expression that eschews ritual. So perhaps another way to frame our question would be to ask, What would/will/do our structures look like when they serve what Michael describes as a growing trend toward "the spiritual," i.e. the near-structure-less expression of faith? Short answer: like entertainment venues. That is, if we preserve some sense of the communal. ...think Bread and Circuses, in lieu of the Bread of Life and the authentic drama of Salvation History. Or, if our religious culture dis-integrates into purely personal expressions of faith, perhaps it moves toward those experiences that are virtual and seem to be infinitely flexible/customizable - like an iPad? Coming at the question from a slightly different angle, I am reminded of Thorncrown Chapel and how such effort is made to create a structure that is barely there. Does this physical structure correspond to a particular religious "structure" that is also reduced to an absolute minimum, to privilege or "free-up" the spiritual? I would be interested to know what the intentions were, or the religious sensibility of the commissioning faith community. It certainly is an elegant expression of gothic minimalism. I appreciate this discussion. Thanks. ------------------------------------------- Adam Hermanson AIA Principal Integration Design Group, PC Henderson CO -------------------------------------------
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2012 12:19
From: Michael Scarmack
Subject: What will a post-religious architecture look like?
These lyrics have often conjured images of post-religious architecture by John Lennon :
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
come and experience this architecture now......
Michael Scarmack, AIA
Earth_Architect
Scarmack Architecture ':-)
the Cosmos and all places in & between
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-19-2012 13:44
From: Scott Simmons
Subject: What will a post-religious architecture look like?
The question originally framed by Mr. Crosbie was about "...post-religious..." architecture. This discussion would benefit from a consideration of the terms religion and relationship.
In evangelical circles, Christianity is described NOT as a religion but as a relationship. "Followers of Jesus" describe themselves as disciples, co-laboerers, or "fishers of men" that want to obey the teachings of Jesus. Relationship implies dialogue. God became a man to have a relationship with us, to show his love for us. The walked in our sandals. He invested himself in the lives of those around him, and told them they could be "born-again". So the architecture is looking for an expression of relationship that is transformative.
Religion is a human construct. Church is a place, a sacred space, a "house of God", a place to go, in which one worships or meditates. Religions are inventions of man to describe the infinite and unknowable. Religions are marked by hierachy, order and rigidity. Dogma can have positive connotations to the devout. It represents the truth made solid and reliable in a positive way. Ritual, mystery, rhythm, non-verbal expression (or in Latin when spoken) are treasured. His name is above all names. The cathedrals of Europe are a magnificent expression of the almighty awesomeness of God. The cruciform plan maps the life of the adherant from baptism at the entrance to death at the altar and resurrection with The Christ on the cross. Church architecture is religion codified into its own frozen music.
"Post-religious", is almost synonymous with "Information Age". The truth has not changed. But the ways of discovering it, experiencing it, and being transformed by it (Him, Him, Him) are now more self-directed. Truth used to be known because an authoritative voice in Rome, or a cathedra, or in a high pulpit told us what it was. Now we "seek" the truth with a search engine. If we find some, we tweet about it. Church has become (some would say returned to being) a verb.
"Post-religious" architecture will not adhere to the design dogmas of religion. It will be an architecture born out of a desire for dialogue between the creature and the creator. It will be a vessel for the church.
Discussion Forums: Committee on the Environment and Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art, & Architecture .
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With the decline of organized religion and the rise of the spiritual, what will a post-religious architecture look like? More: http://bit.ly/OwOadX
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Michael Crosbie FAIA
Faith & Form
Essex CT
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