Temple Structures

This body of work is inspired by [what could be considered a pseudo-science-y] Netflix documentary. In it the archeologist poses that the megalithic temple structure, Mnajdra, was built by a genius civilization that was went extinct long before archeologist credit the dawn of human civilization. Graham Hancock passionately presents the evidence that the temple structure is “two degrees off”. Mnajdra is a Temple Structure in worship to the Star Sirius. The archways are intended to align with the sun at the solstices. He attributes the 2 degrees off to the orbital shift of the earth that takes place slowly over many millennia.

I was so struck by the idea that with these 2 degrees came the potential of a host of possibilities. As a builder… nearly everything I make is off. One can get away with it in many cases, grinding metal or sanding wood to compensate for the difference. And yet, in the mind of this Archeologist it is unfathomable that mankind could have made such a magnificent temple out of line with their goal. I have enjoyed abstracting this idea. What if? What if this megalithic temple structure isn’t off by two degrees? What if it was made in worship to an old star that is no longer there? What if it was aiming for someplace different? What happens when you send thousands of years of worship and you miss your intention? My piece Mnajdra is made in this spirit. It’s basically a celestial Kaleidoscope. The interior and exterior have nearly 360 degrees of mirror (perhaps only 358 degrees). This is my first-time using glass on a large-scale porter chair. I have used bits of glass in my work Glass is unforgiving. As the one who made it, I am aware of the places where the lines don’t quite match up. Sitting inside though… Sitting inside, seeing myself reflected, refracted, projected in every which way. This piece gives the me the sense of limitless possibilities.