Floating Architecture–St. Dagda's Cathedral

April 30, 2018

Floating Architecture–St. Dagda's Cathedral

Title: St. Dagda's Cathedral
Materials: Cardboard, Newspaper, Masking Tape, Paper, Gesso, PVA glue, Ink
Dimensions: 1' 6" x 3'

Process:

This piece is a combination of the Gothic and Neolithic periods of architecture. Inspiration came from such places as Notre-Dame, and Stonehenge, as well as Disney's Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and Studio Ghibli's Castle in the Sky. Neolithic architecture was so often some form of spiritual site if it wasn't a residence, and it often mystifies people how it was possible to assemble these structures. It has a weight, it is grounded, and it is directly, undeniably earthly. So much of recognizable Gothic architecture is Cathedrals, houses of God with unbelievable vaulted ceilings. Spires that scrape the crawlspace of heaven. As well as these spiritual roots, both were known for their exposed stone.

I tried to meld the magic, spirit, and presence of both forms into something new. The combination of rough and smooth stone, the replacement of stained glass with carved out holes as well as windows.
The name grounds both styles in each other as The Dagda is a celtic god "a father-figure, chieftain, and druid" (Koch), and many deities from pagan Celtic peoples were transitioned into Saints (such as Briege/ Brigid becoming St. Brigid). Thus the name is part of the extrapolation/ appropriation of both cultures and styles into this new form.

Final: