2008 has been a tantalizing year for all things labyrinths. We are devoted labyrinth enthusiasts and scholars, the very first to proclaim labyrinthi gratia labyrintho. But we are also devoted to discovering the best of labyrinths as to make the Paul Brown Labyrinth one of the greatest in the land. So, let's take some time to share our reflections on the some of the most profound work in labyrinths and labyrinthology over the past year.
I, for one, was colossally impressed by eminent labyrinth architect Klein Connor's The Glass Labyrinth, which was commissioned by the Argentinian government and built near the country's capital. This labyrinth is a feat of engineering, consisting of over 1,000,000 glass panes and covering nearly a square mile of land. When I walked this labyrinth after it debuted in July, I was most impressed by Connor's ecolabyrinthism. Rather than extirpating the flora, Connor chose glass as his medium to enmesh his labyrinth in the natural landscape. There is a sense of nature as labyrinth, which moves one to wonder at and ponder nature's marvels. But there is a masterful sense of illusion, especially when the sun reaches its meridian. The glass causes the light to refract and bend, resulting in the appearance of even more sinuous passageways. Connor's Glass Labyrinth is at the cutting edge not only of contemporary labyrinths, but also of contemporary art and green architecture.
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My wife is from Argentina, and we recently visited Buenos Aires to see her parents. Her parents told us about the glass labyrinth, so one afternoon we all went to walk it. (A native actually told me the proper verb is to "navigate" or "meander," depending on labyrinth intensity. I had no idea that labyrinths had formed such an intellectual community and following!) Anyhow, we experienced the labyrinth, which took us about 3 hours to complete.
What I really noted was how many people were there. It was a tourist destination. Families, couples, people solo--all navigating the beautiful glass labyrinth.
I think it would really be a boon for Cincinnati if they changed that stadium to a labyrinth.
Thanks for the great post, John K.
Is Benacio del Toro related to Guillermo del Toro or is del Toro just a common Spanish surname? Hmm, or is it 'surnames'?
Benecio del Toro is hot.
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/MMPH/245176~Benicio-Del-Toro-Posters.jpg
John,
I'm glad to finally hear someone gesture towards a practical application of labyrinth theory here in Cincinnati. I'm intrigued by the examples you provide. However, and not to get too far ahead of ourselves here, do you think there's any way that we could possibly route the Flying Pig Marathon through the passageways of the labyrinth? I think this would provide a moment of great solidarity for Cincinnatians, in addition to valorizing the labyrinth's intensive and extensive connection to the social fabric.
Nice post John. Yes, 2008 was a great year for labyrinth lovers. Two favorites:
Labyrinthians for Obama! I really feel like we made a difference, however small.
The Bourg sur Gironde Société d'Anachronisme Labyrinthe de Vin. What an inspired idea! A small, but complicated hedge labyrinth wherein the labyrinth walkers actually crush wine grapes. I heard you got a bottle of wine free with admission. Fabulous.
Walt,
A very interesting suggestion you have put forth. The incorporation of the venerated Cincinnati Flying Marathon reminds me of a powerful moment in the Beijing 2008 Olympics, in which marathon runners ended their herculean trek by coursing the National Stadium, christened the Nest. What if the last mile of the marathon was in the Paul Brown Labyrinth? This could be an "extreme marathon" with the addition of a whole new obstacle into the runner's task.
Toro is the Spanish word for bull but it's also the name of a Spanish city. Spaniards with cities for surnames or mostly likely of Jewish decent. The reason being that during the Inquisition Jews that chose to convert to keep their lives were given the names of cities or body parts to replace their Hebrew ones.
And yes, I'm pretty sure they are related.
Stephen,
I have seen a number of your posts, and you are very knowledgeable. So, I thought you'd be the man I'd ask about this question that has been rankling in me for some time. Is it true that medieval Muslim scholars wrote extensively on labyrinths, but refused to ever build any? A similar thing happened with music in medieval Muslim culture, I think: greatly thematized, but not widely played.
Dylan,
You may want to direct this question to Walt as well, as he is widely versed in medieval labyrinths.
I heard something about an espresso labyrinth in Berkeley. I'm not sure what that would have entailed. Anyone know?
The one thing I know for certain is that the labyrinth is private and exclusive.
But from anecdotal reports I have gathered that the labyrinth is supposedly modeled off the inner tubings of an espresso machine. Apparently people rent the labyrinth for private parties.
Hmm...That's not what I have heard.
I have heard that the labyrinth serves a charitable cause. For every person who completes the labyrinth, corporations vow to purchase greater poundage of fair trade coffee and coffee products.
Berkeley can't touch SF for espresso.
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