Indiana
Evansville
University of Southern Indiana Labyrinth
Design collaboration with Robert Ferré
(Photos by Pat Aalchus)
A
paved labyrinth modeled after New Harmony's (Indiana) Cathedral Labyrinth
has been constructed in front of the University of Southern Indiana's Liberal
Arts Center as part of its quadrangle project. The quadrangle provides
a new focal point for the campus and will include areas of landscaping
and seating.
"The concept of the labyrinth was that they wanted a living reference
on campus to their relationship with New Harmony," said Mark Rozewski,
USI vice president for Business Affairs. The Cathedral Labyrinth, located
on North Street in New Harmony, is a replica of the labyrinth at Chartres
Cathedral, built in the 12th century near Paris, France. The consultant
on the USI project, Labyrinth Enterprises, LLC of St. Louis, also worked
on the Cathedral Labyrinth, which it describes as "the most beautiful
labyrinth in the United States."
Valparaiso
Valparaiso University Labyrinth
Design collaboration with Robert Ferré
By
Robert Ferré,
Labyrinth Enterprises, LLC
A few years ago Valparaiso University rented one of our canvas labyrinths
for lent. One of the people who enjoyed walking it was a student named
Nicole Unrath. Nicole graduated in June of 2003 and became a grade
school teacher. Sadly, that September, she was killed in an auto accident.
In considering a suitable memorial, the Unrath family decided that
a labyrinth would be appropriate. The path from conception to realization
was a two year journey as convoluted as the paths of the labyrinth itself.
In the end, with Marty Kermeen as the installer, we designed and executed
a unique labyrinth.
The design was created by John Unrath, brother to
Nicole and currently a student at VU. It is 72 feet across, yet only
five circuits (five concentric circles). It incorporated some of the
features of designs that we had submitted, including circular "chapels" around
the perimeter. It was built on the remains of an unused "amphitheater" on
the east side of the Chapel of the Ressurection, a landmark architectural
feature of the campus.
In writing to me regarding the memorial labyrinth for their daughter,
the donors would sign at the bottom of their emails,"Tom, Anita,
John, and Nicole from Heaven." Very touching.
The paths of the labyrinth are 40 inches wide so as to accommodate wheelchairs
or two people walking side by side or passing in opposite directions.
Between the paths is one foot of open space for plantings. All of the
walkways have a one-inch lip along the edge to make it possible for sight-challenged
people to follow the path with a cane.
By the time of the dedication, it was October, with no plans to further
landscape until spring. So some of the open spaces were temporarily filled
with gravel. Then, a number of "I Am" scriptural verses were
added on small limestone blocks. While it was a long path designing and
building the labyrinth, it is very satisfying to have the opportunity
to build a labyrinth on this kind of scale. We are happy to hear that
the labyrinth has become a popular resource in the spiritual lives of
many students, faculty, and visitors. The labyrinth is a fitting memorial
to a young woman who personified the spiritual vitality the university
has long fostered.
Wabash
Man-in-Maze, Private Park
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