Sabbatical Art Pilgrimage: Convent of La Tourette

 

 

At the instigation of Pere Couturier the Dominicans of Lyon charged Le Corbusier with the task of bringing into being at Eveux-sur-Arbresle near Lyon, the Convent of La Tourette, in the midst of nature, located in a small vale that opens out onto the forest. The buildings contain a hundred sleeping rooms originally for teachers and students, study halls, a hall for work and one for recreation, a library, a refectory, an oratory, chapel and crypt. The circulation of the building connects all the parts. Despite faving significant opposition the French Dominicans were visionary, took risks and got much right during the twentieth century - worker priests, arte sacre, and this marvellous building. See http://www.couventdelatourette.fr/.

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Neil Young - Heart Of Gold.

Sabbatical Art Pilgrimage: Monasterie de Saint Claire

Ronchamp Gatehouse and Monastery (Renzo Piano).

The Chapel of Notre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp was designed by Le Corbusier and is one the 20th-century’s most important works of architecture. For years now it has been a heavily frequented site of international cultural tourism.

In a wider effort to improve the area, the Œuvre Notre Dame du Haut commissioned Renzo Piano Building Workshop to design a convent for the Poor Clare sisters, as well as a small new building to welcome visitors, the Porterie. Hugging the hill’s slope, the new buildings are protected architecture with a resolved interior featuring large picture windows that frame the woods and its light. The convent includes a marvellous Oratory. See http://www.rpbw.com/project/80/ronchamp-gatehouse-and-monastery/.

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Johnny Cash - Hurt.