In the past twenty years we have grown accustomed to see religious buildings which had fallen in disrepair or disuse being sold on and transformed into a variety of uses. From purely residential transformations to indoor markets, music performance stages, bars , cafes or theatres.
However, the transformation of churches into something else (if not through capitalism) is not something new. The Cathedral of Seville with its minarette (La giralda) was the first example I came across as a child and I found the transformative nature of these types of buildings fascinating.
However, the transformation of churches into something else (if not through capitalism) is not something new. The Cathedral of Seville with its minarette (La giralda) was the first example I came across as a child and I found the transformative nature of these types of buildings fascinating.
The Pantheon in Paris is another example.... a building that was inspired by Saint Paul's and stopped being a church even before it was completed, to become a mausoleum. It provides a final resting to distinguished citizens you might have heard of: For example, Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, Alexadre Dumas, Louis Braille (yes, that one!), Marie Curie and since 2021 THE Josephine Baker (!) among others.
Since 1851, it also became the place where Foucault was able to illustrate the rotating nature of our planet with the help of a pendulum (an example of which can be seen there, still)
In its more recent reinvention, and to mark the burial of author Maurice Genevoix, the Pantheon became the backdrop to the site specific commission "Pantheon in Paris" by Anselm Kiefer 's.
The works are displayed side by side with words by writer Maurice Genevoix and poet Paul Celan are also accompanied by the music composed by Pascal Dusapin "In Nomine Lucis" and the reading of the names of WW1 fallen soldiers.
Kiefer's work interests me because of the power it has to reinterpret a collective learnt memory through the use of everyday contemporary objects. However, I have always struggled with the way works seem to be shoehorned into the permanent collections of many well known international museums which I rather not name.
At the Pantheon, the work and the building are clearly working together and one is able to immerse in the story.
My photos will never be able to convey the quality of his storytelling and so, should any of you reading have the chance, i'd recommend you visit or look for videos
Since 1851, it also became the place where Foucault was able to illustrate the rotating nature of our planet with the help of a pendulum (an example of which can be seen there, still)
In its more recent reinvention, and to mark the burial of author Maurice Genevoix, the Pantheon became the backdrop to the site specific commission "Pantheon in Paris" by Anselm Kiefer 's.
The works are displayed side by side with words by writer Maurice Genevoix and poet Paul Celan are also accompanied by the music composed by Pascal Dusapin "In Nomine Lucis" and the reading of the names of WW1 fallen soldiers.
Kiefer's work interests me because of the power it has to reinterpret a collective learnt memory through the use of everyday contemporary objects. However, I have always struggled with the way works seem to be shoehorned into the permanent collections of many well known international museums which I rather not name.
At the Pantheon, the work and the building are clearly working together and one is able to immerse in the story.
My photos will never be able to convey the quality of his storytelling and so, should any of you reading have the chance, i'd recommend you visit or look for videos
