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 are 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 International Sculpture Award, 2023 and 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.

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Podcast The Social Challenge: Herman van Bergen over het goud van de verbeelding.

Cathedral of Thorns

Herman van Bergen is uitgenodigd voor een podcast aflevering voor de podcast The Social Challenge:

‘Herman is een eigenzinnige en kritische Kunstenaar of maker zoals hij zichzelf liever noemt. Hij is opgegroeid in Nijmegen waar hij van jongs af aan te maken krijgt met astmatische bronchitis. Je hoort hoe hij dankzij deze ziekte zijn talent kan ontwikkelen en wat voor rol ziekte speelt in zijn artistieke leven.

In Nederland ontmoet hij zijn vrouw Daisy en samen vertrekken zij naar Curaçao waar Herman door wandelingen de Sumpinas, oftewel doornen ontdekt. Je hoort hoe deze gehate doornen veranderen tot zijn Cathedral of Thorns; oftewel Kathedraal van Doornen. Een enorm labyrint van doornen ter ere van Moeder Natuur en de Vrije Geest. Onlangs heeft hij voor dit prachtige meesterwerk de prestigieuze 2022 Innovator in Arts award van de International Sculpture Center (ISC) in New York mogen ontvangen.’

Luister de podcast op:
Google Podcast hier
Apple Podcast hier

Cathedral of Thorns by Night Friday 4th of August

Save the date! The Cathedral of Thorns will be transformed into a magical place on Friday 4th of August. Cedric Dandaré and Curajazzstars. Seven musicians come together. Cedric Dandaré leadguitar and bandleader, Eric Calmes bassguitar, Dennis Aalse trumpet, Chris Wallé keyboards, Lonte Conradus drums, Ernie Gregorius percussion, and Tshepho Seshaba percussion.

Join the exclusive guided tour with the designer and founder of the cathedral, Herman van Bergen, and enjoy the short film ‘Making Off The Cathedral of Thorns”. Get lost in the fully illuminated beauty of this unique experience, which only happens once a month.

It promises to be another unique evening in our beautifully illuminated Cathedral of Thorns. Want to join? Presale tickets are available at The Zumpiña Shop (next to Restaurant Number TEN), Mensings Caminada Bookstore, and Landhuis Bloemhof.
Tickets will also be available at the door on August 4th from 7 pm. Entrance fee is ANG 49.00 / US$ 28.00. Entrance and Parking: Number TEN

Limited seats available, so RSVP now!
RSVP:
Email: thecathedralofthorns@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +5999 5266349

Cathedral of Thorns by night – March 25

Cathedralofthorns
March 25, the Curacao Rock band Twilight Zone will perform. The band was formed in the 1970s. At Cathedral of Thorns, the musicians come together again to play old music from the 60s and 70s, under the musical direction of Cedric Dandare, Eric Calmes on bass and Curacaos’ well-known arranger and musician Harry Moen. Tickets are now only available at Boekhandel Mensings Caminada, Zumina Shop (next to Number TEN) and Landhuis Bloemhof.
For more information app: 0059995266349

Meet the team

Herman van Bergen

Herman van Bergen

Artist
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Other Artists

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We are building this Cathedral of Thorns with the help of many companies.