SANCTUARY 2018
SANCTUARY 2018 was built on the sidewalk in front of the Salt Lake City and County Building at the 2018 Utah Pride Festival. It was a Sanctuary with no exclusions.
A mass of volunteers over two days built the structure. Parts had been laser cut, but volunteers had little prior knowledge of the process. They worked tirelessly to create the Sanctuary while the festival looked on and created art to cover the walls.
The structure taking shape with parts preassembled waiting for installation.
A festival attendee takes in the expressions of the hundreds who created art to cover the walls.
Festival attendees create art with paint and markers on cardboard. Their expressions would ornament the Sanctuary walls.
With construction complete, the crowd gets a chance to experience the space they have helped construct and personalize.
The Entry
The vault created by radial arches is the product of contemporary computer modeling technology, but at the same time is reminiscent of ancient architectural techniques.
The vault rises gradually from the 8’ entry clearance toward its maximum clear height of 13’-6”. The gradual rise and open cells are modern twists on an ancient form.
The main sanctuary.
Interior Panorama.
The heart of the sanctuary is open to the interior through a cutout in the enclosing surface. A white rug and chair invite attendees to remove their shoes and occupy this space of contemplation, open to the sky above.
Heart of the Sanctuary.
No exclusions.
The building is created of arches with a span of roughly 8’ arrayed in a ring, or half torus. When connected together, they create a complex curved surface.
Computer technology allows the surface to warp and curve to create the desired interior space. The surface peaks in a reference to traditional sacred spaces, but assumes a uniquely contemporary shape. Each brick is unique.
Attendees continued to add dedications once the structure was built. It took on the character they gave it.
Dedication Art
Dedication Art
Every Dedication has a story.
Most bricks consisted of four sides and an interior panel, which added lateral support, visibility control, and a surface for Dedication Art.
Bricks are formed from laser cut pieces of cardboard. They are connected with office grade binder clips. Easy to use, the clips are strong enough to make the bricks act as a complex surface.
The artist and his brother conceived of and created what they wished for - a Sanctuary with no exclusions - even if only for a day. Many people volunteered, donated, and participated to make this project a reality.
SANCTUARY 2018 was sponsored by: