THE CROSSING
AN ARTISTIC PANEL
An artistic panel created for a Christian temple, filled with religious symbolism
"Strong control over forms and colors."
— César Machado
Architect
Artistic panels enhance architecture by adding aesthetic value, creating focal points, and integrating art with structural design, improving the overall visual and emotional experience of the space.
A meaningful artistic panel transforms an architectural space by enriching it with cultural significance and fostering a unique emotional connection for its viewers.
ARTISTIC CONCEPT
Inspired by a fundamental event from the Old Testament, this panel portrays the crossing of the Red Sea in an iconic and symbolic way, marking the beginning of a historical period of preparation for the arrival of Jesus, centuries later.
The panel depicts this event as a division between two worlds: the old, marked by slavery and the profane, and the new, characterized by liberation and the sacred. The fishing net represented in the panel, at the end of the crossing, reinforces the mission of proclaiming the Gospel, linking this journey to Jesus’ call for his disciples to become "fishers of men."
Thus, the panel serves as a visual representation of transformation, liberation, and mission, uniting the events and messages of the Old Testament with those of the New Testament.
CORE ELEMENTS
In an Artistic Panel, carefully chosen visual motifs convey the central message, shaping the viewer’s perception and emotional connection. In this work, three primary motifs are brought together, each carrying its own symbolism, to form a unified and meaningful artistic expression.
1
The Red Sea opens, dividing two worlds: the old and the new, the world of slavery and the world of liberation, the profane and the sacred.
2
The crossing of God’s people toward the new, the free, and the holy, symbolizing a journey from the exterior world to the interior of the temple.
3
The fishing net is cast to gather the chosen ones, representing the proclamation of the Gospel.
IMMERSIVE SACRED ART
The Crossing Panel is more than a decorative feature, it is a visual narrative that unites history, faith, and artistry. By merging sacred imagery with architectural design, it invites contemplation on the spiritual symbols it conveys, offering both beauty and meaning to all who encounter it. Its monumental scale draws viewers in, inviting them to immerse themselves in its message.
Illustrative perspective
Model highlighting the panel's monumental scale in relation to human proportion and its integration within the spatial context.
INTEGRATED ILLUMINATION
The lighting design plays a dual role, as it accentuates the volumes that define the symbolic crossing, ensuring that these elements stand out as focal points, while also being subtly embedded within the panel itself. This integration allows the lighting to remain discreet, avoiding visual distraction, while offering soft, indirect illumination that enhances the atmosphere of the surrounding space.
Panel illumination
Integrated lighting highlights the panel’s volumes while softly enhancing the surrounding space.
SPATIAL COMPOSITION
By balancing meaningful symbolism with subtle functionality, the design of the panel The Crossing achieves both an efficient articulation of volumes and colors and a refined ambient harmony, reinforcing the architectural intent while enhancing the user’s spatial experience.
Selected Technical Drawings
Detailed drawings illustrating the panel’s complexity, providing precise and clear information required for accurate execution.
Project development: architect Roberto Gasparini Jr.
Images: Roberto Gasparini Jr.