PRAYERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD | 2013
Visual and acoustic installation
Mirror-polished stainless steel and glass mirror
Mirror diameter 1.5 m
Height approx. 5 m
Sung and spoken prayers in tongues: 11 min
Over a period of two years, Tanja Bürgelin-Arslan collected prayers of Christians from all over the world.
Prayers are the connection between mankind and god.
The entirety of Christians forms the church of Jesus, and this art installation shows the church of Jesus praying:
Like a cloud, the prayers rise from earth to god.
They are very precious, therefore, they are made of very high-quality material, i.e. of mirror-polished stainless steel.
On the ceiling, there is a round mirror from which the prayers hang on transparent threads.
Below, on the floor, there is another round mirror of the same size suggesting spatial depth and infinity, thus symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth: It shows the infinite depth of the relationship between god and mankind.
In addition, one hears prayers spoken and sung:
Several sound track are played in parallel as “The Church Praying”
One prayer fades in and out again as if one were passing a praying person. Then another prayer fades to the foreground.
AURA | 2016
The glory of God surrounds people like a shell and lets them shine.
Wood / brass (3,200 nails)
49 x 49 x 40 cm
Light sculpture FACE – BOOK, The transparency of man: In this world on Facebook – hereafter in the Book of Life | 2012
Steel and Plexiglas, LED
Dimensions: approx. 80 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm
Triangular base: 120 x 65 cm, 90 cm high
The F A C E part:
In this world on Facebook:
Timeline provides access to our vital statistics. Haphazardly released information I invaluable for the advertising industry and cannot be deleted anymore. Even superficial information may be dangerous.
YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT
The B O O K part:
Hereafter in the “Book of Life“:
Mankind will remain transparent, even in eternity. The essential thing, however is recorded in the Book of Life: Whether we lived our lives for or against God will have its effect in the Book of Life.
JESUS HAS PAYED FOR US
Note: The text above was written by the Artist. No modification was made by C.O.C.A.
Tanja Bürgelin was born in Lörrach 1968. She studied communication design at the Georg Simon Ohm University of Applied Sciences from 1992 – 1997. Already during her studies, she won the first prize in a competition of the town of Fürth - designing the Fürth Rathaus subway station (1995). She won two further first prizes and realised the pertaining artwork: The “Path of Life” fountain and the traffic roundabout sculpture „Duck Portal“. Further public assignments ensued (including foyer design, bus station, prayer installation in the Friedenskirche church). In more than 12 bank buildings she designed the glass walls. Regular exhibitions in galleries and museums also took place (Lörrach, Basel, Kitzbühel, London, Rome). Her free artwork addresses our Christian culture, faith and society.