The Japanese Minimalism I’s exhibition shows the relationship between selected buildings and the nature through images and models. Each section is showing one particular building, and Church on the water is one of them. The chapel is one of the most famous Tadao Ando’s buildings, mainly for incorporate the main points of Japanese architecture – which can be visually summarized in a simple form and material. Through several pictures and Ando`s drawing, the exhibition assesses how nature enters in the building and changes the space during the years. In one section of the exposition visitors experience a walkthrough in the building displayed on three LED TV. For example, the spirit that Ando incorporates in the building only can be explained with a walking in the entire project.
THE IMPLEMATION (2)
The first picture shows that the building is isolated from the hotel – which is located near to it – through a L-shaped wall that covered all the building. (2) The second and the third one show the earlier impressions when the visitor goes trough the small cut in the extended wall. The first thing that he sees is the huge artificial lake with a cross in the middle of the water and the two blocs that composes the project – one made by concrete and the other one made by transparent glass and steel. (1) The other pictures show the ritual that the visitor has to do. The first experience is represented by the connected with the sky trough four crosses that stand inside the glass box. After that, the visitor goes down a spiral stair that contracts the illuminated space with the darkness. Finally, after go though the entire stair, the visitor is embebed in the nature where they can feel the breeze, the light, the smell and the image of God represented by nature and the cross. (3)
CHAPEL’S INTERIOR (3)
As a result, with a simple form – rectangular – and material – exposed concrete -, the architect incorporate all nature’s senses inside and outside the building, creating a perfect worship place. Moreover, the visitor experiences how light – one important element in Ando’s project – enters in the building through a huge model. The model is located inside a glass box with some led-lights showing the effects that the light creates inside the building. For example, during the day, the light interacts with the dark lake in front of the building and mixes it with the Chapel’s main floor. The interaction gives the visitor the perception that the building approach to the black steel on the water and eliminates boundaries between outside and inside. (4)
CHAPEL’S DETAILS AND FURNITURE (4)
In addition, the light also merges with the glass walls above the main floor and creates a light box where visitors can interact with the 4-crosses, the mountains in the horizon and God. Overall, the exposition displays pictures and model showing the relation between the building and the nature – mainly with light and water.