Installation in a Listed Church
The all-seeing and all-knowing God is a concept that is found in most of the major world religions. This project aimed to investigate the connection between religion and surveillance. I designed a space inside a listed church, that evokes the sensation of being under God's surveillance. A space in form of a temporary installation that people, either believers or non-believers, can visit and interact with. I wanted explore how different religious structures have been designed in a way that they evoke feelings of spirituality and how I could design something minimal that does exactly that. The concept of religion and surveillance is a complex one so making a space that can in a way convey this connection was an interesting challenge. The plan for this project was to make people think, and even question their beliefs.
The installation is a large structure, made out of five black boxes that are arranged irregularly together. The structure is situated in the centre of the main hall of the church and does not interfere with the historical character of the building. It is made out of blackened steel which contrasts greatly with the internal expression of the church. The installation is very bare and minimal to emphasize the idea and concept of it and so it doesn't take anything away from the users' experience.
It consists of different spaces and rooms which all evoke the feeling of omnipresence. Using light and Christian symbolism, the experience evokes feelings of spirituality. The interior of the structure is completely empty and dark, covered with blackened steel from the floor up. A clear pathway lit up with light strip, leads the user from one room to another. The lighted pathway represents God and idea of walking in the light, which means believing.
One of the rooms has light coming from above which also directly represents God watching down to the people. Another room, situated on the upper floor, is made entirely out of glass so the users have a great view over the church hall. The room puts the church into the context of the installation, connects the two together and makes the users think about this connection.
Another room is covered with mirrors. It is very dark, with led light strips placed against the mirrors that light up the space. The room makes the users feel confused and even puzzled as it is difficult to see what is a mirror and what is not. This is a perfect way to end the installation as its main purpose is to make people feel that way about the constant surveillance that comes with religion.
After experiencing the installation the users enter a large room called The Reflection Room, where they go to reflect on what they experienced in the installation. Against the windows are long, glass prisms. These prisms scatter coloured light across the room, the walls and ceiling, just like the stained glass windows in churches. This calming, coloured light evokes spiritual feelings and helps the users reflect on what they experienced.
A circulation diagram showing how people move through the spaces.
Circulation through the installation.
The reception area.
The installation structure.
The structure within the church.
The light pathway.
The room with light coming from above.
The glass room, overviewing the church.
The room with the cross.
The mirror room.
Transportation from the trainstation to the site.
A map showing the location of the project.
The reflection area where people can reflect upon their experience.
Software used: Autodesk Revit, Sketchup, Photoshop, Illustrator.