The Transparent Church

Over the past few years, churches in the Netherlands have become unpopular, and are slowly falling into disuse. In response to this, Belgian architects, Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh (in cooperation with Z33, the art museum of Hasselt) are working on a five-year long installation project, where they will construct transparent churches throughout the country.

One of these ethereal structures has already been constructed in the Belgian region of Haspengouw and was created to give its visitors a feeling of transparency—a stark contrast to the tightly secured religious community is represents. The structure also plays with the sun’s light and shadow in different ways than traditional stained-glass window do, working to create that essential spiritual vibe within the church.

Reading Between the lines is in the region of Borgloon-Heers (in the Flemish province of Limburg) as part of the exhibition project Z-out, where Z33 presents art in public.

Details

• Release Date

  24 September 2011

• Art by

  Arnout Van Vaerenbergh, Pieterjan Gijs