THE BLESSED

The cedar is the main character, the solar element of the building composition. Its death is a tragedy.

We have to suffer the bereavement now and sublimate the cedar’s death by the ritual of the illumination : the cedar will be embalmed in a new gold skin. The operation consists in a ritual comparable with pharaoh embalming ceremonies. A succession of stages, of tree’s body modifications in order to preserve it and to enable the soul to continue to live.

Create some myth to invent a place of revelations, of inspiration. In antiquity consultants of oracles went to sleep in the place and received a dream including an advice. Klimt lovers are kissing under the branches of a golden tree.

The transfigured body becomes a relic (body, fragment of holy’s or blessed’s body which has been used for his martyr, which is attached a sacred nature, and which the faithful worships). Universal theme for respect and solicitude. It is proceeding the transsubstantiation.

The first task to fulfill consist in assuring body’s perpetual preservation. The desiccation makes it possible to take away the flesh from putrefaction. Dead branches are collected to be burned ; ashes are scattered around the trunk. The body, anointed with perfumed oil, is rubbed with myrrh after cleaning. Then, a magic protection armor is constituted : « a house of eternity ». Henceforth the dead will live forever.

But his first duty is to bring together everyone has participated in the ceremony. He gives them a banquet and chairs it in effigy.

He becomes the holy who looks after and inspires the Fabrica.

International ideas competition - 2004