La Croix Gushes Over Minimalist Altar for Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

[Michie]

Artist Guillaume Bardet’s proposal may have surprised and dismayed some with its minimalist, uncluttered feel. But as he explains in his interview with La Croix, it was important to let these pieces speak for themselves, to both Christians and non-Christians alike, and thus retain a form of simplicity in such a richly decorated space.

We can only be delighted to see the Church continuing to invest in modern art, in an open dialogue with contemporary culture. It no longer has the power of the past, when it was the main source of inspiration for artists. But artists, whether believers or not, remain interested in working for sacred sites, a sign that there is something here that goes beyond the religious institution.

Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the most visited churches in the world, must strike a delicate balance between being home to religious celebrations and a touristic and heritage site that belongs to the State. Of course, the furnishings must be at the service of the liturgy. But they must also be legible and comprehensible in order to allow everyone to benefit from the spiritual dimension, to inspire and invite people into a form of prayer that a simple visit to the cathedral can become.

It is also the role of the Church to welcome these requests for meaning and spirituality, even if they go beyond the framework of ordinary and classical practice.

Continued below.

A delicate balance

A brief piece in La Croix about the proposed designs for new furnishings for Notre Dame: Artist Guillaume Bardet’s proposal may have surprised and dismayed some with its minimalist, unclutter…

amywelborn.wordpress.com

 

[chevyontheriver]

Continued below.

A delicate balance

A brief piece in La Croix about the proposed designs for new furnishings for Notre Dame: Artist Guillaume Bardet’s proposal may have surprised and dismayed some with its minimalist, unclutter…

amywelborn.wordpress.com

I would hope the French government, shaky as it is these days, would come out against such wreckovation of the altar. The French government has control of the building itself, and has done admirably in seeing the restoration of the building done right. They don't have specific control of the furnishings, but it would be helpful if they, who have apparently lost less of their marbles than the current ecclesial folks in Paris, would voice some opposition.