This photo shows a new Poor Clare monastery in France. All the modern conveniences.
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I appreciate the Zen-like simplicity however - very poor in spirit. There is really nothing wrong with the design and architecture in my opinion - but what were their old accommodations like? What would St. Clare think? This monastery looks to be on equal footing with the homes of the very rich and sophisticated.
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Is that bad? I don't know.
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To be fair, the monastery is connected to a new visitor's center for the Le Corbusier masterpiece, the chapel of Notre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp, France.
The minimalism of the monastic complex was designed so as not to detract from the beauty of the chapel. I'm sure most monasteries today are built with all modern conveniences and state of the art utilities and facilities - after all, they are intended to last until the end of the world, aren't they?
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And then there was Spring Bank.
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H/T Rorate Caeli for the original piece.
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Photo credit/source and architectural background here. (The Le Corbusier chapel was considered to be a little jewel
The Poor Clares are gonna need a lot of Windex.
ReplyDeleteI like the monastery, personally. If it were covered in gilded baby cherubs Rorate wouldn't have mentioned it.
ReplyDeleteI would imagine that the structure was gifted to the Poor Clares, or they are permitted to live there.
I see nothing wrong with monastics living and praying in beautiful surroundings and are well provided for. They also offer hospitality to modern pilgrims & searchers and need ample space / amenities for the visitors' comfort.
ReplyDeleteAs St. Paul put it, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
ReplyDeleteOh, this is lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see or visit good modern architecture, I think, if I moved here, I would have to change my life. The Poor Clares have already changed their lives, and the building reflects that choice.
Amusingly, at the Solar Decathlon this year, there was a house design based on Notre Dame du Haut.
http://www.solardecathlon.gov/team_new_jersey.html
Why would anyone want to question the sanctity of the Poor Clares?
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