I first caught wind of this at Whispers today and given that I was recently “encouraged” to post to my long-neglected blog, I thought what better thing to share with my faithful 4 readers than a bit of beauty for the upcoming long haul into winter. To the point: Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT has dedicated a new chapel in the heart of its campus. Designed by Sasaki Associates Architects, the chapel features mosaic art designed by Father Marko Rupnik, SJ, a Slovenian Jesuit who is director of the Centro Aletti’s Atelier of Art in Rome—a part of the Pontifical Oriental Institute which was founded by JPII to foster opportunities for exchange between Rome and the Eastern Churches. Fr. Rupnik is also the artist responsible for the late Holy Father’s Redemptoris Mater chapel at the Vatican.
The University’s website has a veritable plethora of images and information about the chapel’s design, construction and artwork here. Be sure to browse the galleries.
I’d be happy to know what people’s opinions are about this particular chapel and the art installation. It’s clear that the style is decidedly contemporary—a sort of post-postmodern exemplifying the direction mainstream architecture is going since the fall of the modern era and the postmodern movement. However, the mosaics, while they have a bit of a contemporary flare, are clearly rooted in their historical origins—drawing from eastern iconography and (perhaps more Roman) mosaic styles.
Something I’ve noticed about having conversations about church “architecture” with those who do not have a formal training in architecture is that the discussion generally focuses around the sacred art (or lack thereof) rather than the use of spatial arrangements or architectural styles. I think there’s something basic here. I don’t know if I posted about this previously, but one thing I noticed a bit more than a year ago when watching the dedication of Duncan Stroik’s Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, was that this lovely church was just a style change. As far as imagery went, it featured a crucifix and a copy of Juan Diego’s tilma with the image of Our Lady. Essentially, it had little more sacred art than your typical contemporary parish church built since the 1970s. This may be an unfair criticism, but I’d ask others to consider whether I am totally off-base here. The style is decidedly Renaissance… and well-executed, but what of the content? I find Rupnik’s work more compelling, evocative and didactic while all the same being in conversation, in continuity, with the liturgical traditions of the Church universal.
I’ll leave it at that, however, because I’d rather see if anyone has any thoughts (Although I know that, ‘historically’ speaking, no one responds to my architecture posts!).
UPDATE (9/29): I should mention just to be clear, the chapel building was designed by Sasaki Associates, the art installations were by Rupnik… i.e., Rupnik did not design the chapel.
