Clarity, Light, and Logic : Parallels between Olafur Eliasson’s The weather project and the Gothic Cathedral

This Master’s Research Paper investigates Olafur Eliasson’s The weather project as a case study for the dialogue between Gothic artistic principles and prominent elements of contemporary art. A product of a post-modern mindset, weakened historicity allows us to examine these connections anew; past, present, and future blur and artists (and viewers) have the whole of time from which to gain inspiration and meaning in works of art. I demonstrate similarities through theories on phenomenology; the spatiotemporal relationship between viewer and artwork; the convergence of art and science; and the communal, quasi-liminal experience of pilgrimage. I embrace Eliasson’s belief in the self-reflexive potential of art and the importance of the viewer’s own values, memories, and methods of seeing. This new interpretive layer will hopefully offer a richer experience for future participants of both Gothic cathedrals and environments produced by Studio Olafur Eliasson.

The cathedral

In Port Louis, Mauritius, a young woman in search of her identity interacts with friends and family in a carefree manner until a stranger, a photographer, sees her dancing in front of the cathedral.

Carlisle and the red men of other days /

Printed by Indians who are students at Carlisle.

The city of Chartres : its cathedral & churches /

Disbound Original Held in Oak Street Library Facility.

A handbook of information concerning the cathedral-church of Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania.

Mode of access: Internet.

The history of Saint Paul's cathedral, in London, from its foundation: extracted out of original charters, records, leiger-books, and other manuscripts,

Imperfect: two plates wanting.

Charters and records of Hereford cathedral,

Mode of access: Internet.

When I awake : a sermon preached in Llandaff Cathedral, March 3, 1895 /

"Printed by request."

Great moral teachers : eight lectures delivered in Salisbury cathedral /

"Delivered ... in the years 1903-4."--Pref.

The cathedral church of Winchester; a description of its fabric and a brief history of the Episcopal see,

Mode of access: Internet.

Rouen Cathedral: The Portal (Sunlight)

Claude Monet; 3 ft. 3 1/4 in. x 2 ft. 1 55/64 in.; oil on canvas

The Ghent Altarpiece by the van Eyck Brothers in St Bavo Cathedral in Ghent

Pierre-François De Noter; 3 ft. 2 3/16 in.x 2 ft. 6 45/64 in.; oil on canvas

Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop's Grounds

John Constable; 2 ft. 10 39/64 in.x 3 ft. 8 1/64 in.; oil on canvas

A survey of the cathedral-church of Worcester; with an account of the bishops thereof, from the foundation of the see, to the year 1660 [i.e. 1610] Also an appendix of many original papers and records, never before printed.

"Chartae originales ex registris sedis episcopalis Wygorn, et decani & capituli ejusdem. Nunc primum editae": 8, 183 p. (Third and fourth groups)