The Sense of Space in the Meaning of Life
THE SEVENTH SEAL
LOCATION
Nowhere
YEAR
2016 - 2017
PROGRAM
Religion & Experimental Space
This architectural research project aims to explore the philosophical and psychological presentation of death in Ingmar Bergman's film 'The Seventh Seal' and translate it into the perception of space. The project will use a stream-of-consciousness approach to analyze the film's portrayal of death and its impact on human existence. The research will employ both philosophical and psychological methods to investigate the ways in which space can shape our perception of death. By examining the film's timeline, the project will ultimately seek to shed light on the existential nature of life. The significance of this research lies in its potential to enhance our understanding of the relationship between space and human perception, and to provide new insights into the ways in which architecture can shape our experience of the world.
BACKGROUND
From Ezekiel’s wheels to the Seventh Seal in Revelation, these prophetic narratives explore the essence of faith, life, and existence. Bergman uses tragedy and surrealism to unveil the universal struggle with broken faith and death, contrasting it with the spiritual void and hedonism of the modern age. Nietzsche's "God is dead" is not a denial of faith but a search for meaning in a godless existence. Art, especially the "Seventh Art," serves as a vessel of symbols and perception, offering humanity a path to rediscover meaning and order.