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The Cathedral of Thorns

The Cathedral of Thorns is a full building-sized illuminated labyrinth on the Caribbean island of Curaçao. Visitors are invited to walk through its corridors and experience an artistic journey through a troublesome history toward a bright future; both sides represented by the hostile yet beautiful thorns. To raise consciousness of the similarities between religions, the design includes symbols of today's world religions and ancient nature-based religions. The walls have niches containing objects of contemporary art by guest artists, expressing mankind's ability to change, share and collaborate through creativity. In addition, the labyrinth also functions as a stage for performances. The Cathedral of Thorns was designed by Herman van Bergen, winner of the prestigious Cola Debrot Award in 2016, and was constructed by unemployed youth. This work of art (in progress) unites all themes of Van Bergen's previous thorn-art sculptures into one expansive project: a building honoring Mother Nature and the Free Spirit that achieves change through creativity.

25 mion sumpiña pa konstrukshon di “Katedral di sumpiña”

Extra CW: Otro siman lo ta apertura ofisial di e katedral di sumpiña den kura di Lanthùis Bloemhof. Mas di 2,5 mion di sumpiña a keda usa pa a konstruí e katedral mahestuoso aki i ainda no ta kla. Aki nos ta papia di 5 aña i mei di trabou.

CROWDFUNDING: Support this unique project!

Cathedral of Thorns CROWDFUNDING: Support this unique project!

Together with underprivileged young people and local artists, the inspired Dutch artist Herman van Bergen is building a labyrinth with walls of thorns on the island of Curaçao. It will be officially opened on 2 February 2020, but tens of thousands of people have already visited the Cathedral of Doornen during its construction, including Princess Laurentien, actor Jeroen Krabbe, singer Barry Hay and artist Rob Scholte.

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De Volkskrant – Op Curaçao staat een kathedraal van zo’n 25 miljoen doornen

In Willemstad bouwt kunstenaar Herman van Bergen (zelf zegt hij liever ‘maker’) al jaren aan een kathedraal van doornen. Zo hoopt hij de op Curaçao gehate doornstruik om te zetten in ‘een object van liefde.’

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