The Labyrinth Project
The story of the labyrinth is ancient, going back some 4,000 years to the Greeks during the time of Daedalus. If you can remember Icarus, you will know his father Daedalus--the great inventor and artisan. As the myth goes, the pair were held captive on the island of Crete by King Minos and to escape they fashioned feathers into wings attached by wax. Icarus flew too close to the sun which caused his wax to melt, resulting in the boy crashing down to earth.
That’s not the only thing for which Daedalus is infamous. Daedalus had been charged by King Minos with the task of building a maze of rooms, stair cases and corridors (imagine an Escher drawing) in the dungeon catacombs beneath the king’s palace. The complicated structure was intended to confuse and confine anyone, or anything, trapped in it. This first ever Labyrinth housed Asterion, the Minotaur (half bull and half man) as a way to imprison him. Upon completion of the labyrinth Daedalus himself barely escaped.
A Meditative Experience Modern labyrinths have much more benign, well-intended purposes. They are located all around the world in private properties and places such as libraries, hospitals, schools, gardens, recreational areas, temples and cathedrals. There is the famous labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral (a UNESCO world heritage site) near Paris, France built in the 1214.
Labyrinths are meandering paths that follow sacred geometrical patterns, usually circles, and are generally used for walking. Those who slowly enter the labyrinth with a calm, clear mind get the most benefit from this experience. As a spiritual exercise, seekers or pilgrims follow the path set before them. There is one way in and one way out. It’s been described as a moving meditation.
Some benefits of walking labyrinths are self-discovery, conflict resolution, and community building. The calming of nerves is one welcomed attribute, as well as dealing with grief, problem solving, setting intentions and celebrating joyful events. The exercise can help bring peace of mind to those dealing with mental or physical health issues.
Many Designs to Choose From Types of labyrinths vary from classical, Roman, concentric, medieval (of which Chartres is one), and seed patterns, to contemporary. To see the variety of labyrinths please visit this link, About Labyrinths.
Mazes are different from labyrinths, though their terms are often used interchangeably. A maze can have more than one entrance and, in 3D form, typically has walls, shrubs or corn stalks lining the path. There are many routes to choose from during the journey, some false. Mazes are intended to trick or confuse and can lead to dead ends...or worse. (E.g. Triwizard maze in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire) As mentioned before, a labyrinth is one way in, one way out.
Sweet Berry Farm Maze near Marble Falls, Texas
Imagine Art’s Role Imagine Art artist-in-residence and church member, Laura Williams, is coordinating with St. Luke United Methodist Church on the Labyrinth Project. She is a trained interior architect and has submitted her design to Pastor Jackie Freeman and the appropriate church committee for approval.
Laura Williams at the studio designing a plan for the labyrinth installation.
The challenge has been to design and place a 7-Circuit Classical Labyrinth in an area that will be acceptable to all concerned and that will reflect positively on Imagine Art and St. Luke United Methodist Church. As a result, there is no firm deadline on completing this project.
(According to the Austin Labyrinth Project, Labyrinths can be found at 37 different sites around Austin. This includes churches, hospitals, schools, parks, plant nurseries and other private properties.)
Labyrinths left to right: Butler Park, St. Alban’s Episcopal, Unity Church of the Hills, Presbyterian Seminary
Community Building Last year’s, Touchstones & New Beginnings marked the first community project between St. Luke and IA. Hopefully, this labyrinth project can get off the ground, or into the ground, in the next year or two. It would be a permanent installation that will include monolithic rock chairs set around a water and fire feature, and stone lined labyrinth paths with juniper trees as a backdrop. The idea being that the labyrinth would be walked and enjoyed by parishioners, neighbors, and friends for some time to come.
