INTRODUCTION/ Arnold Schalks

THE ORDER

The Cistercian Order was founded in 1098 by abbot Robertus of Molesme in Cîteaux in France. The Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance distincts itself from the Common Observance by a strict discipline and a extremely austere way of life. The monastic life closely followed the Rule of St. Benedict "ora et labora!" (pray and work!). The Cistercians put this old maxim into new practice by their strong focus on cultivation, forestry and agriculture. The monks gathered profound knowledge of corn species, fruit races and medicinal herbs. In 1174, the order founded cloister Arnsburg near Lich (D).

 

THE DORMITORY

Originally, the unheated sleeping space was not subdivided. In the course of time, wooden partitions were placed between the beds. The thus created open compartments (cells) were first closed by a curtain and, since the 15th century, by a wooden panel with a peephole. The monastic rules required, that the monks slept fully dressed, tightly wrapped and with slippers on their feet. The monk's night's rest ranged from 4.5 hours in summer to 9 hours in winter time.

 

THE EFFECT

The intensity of the monastic life must have left a deep impression on the brother's realm of thought. Daily spiritual and physical experiences must have affected them subconsciously during their sleep. Fragments of these impressions might have served as stuff for their dreams.

 

THE WORK

"Traumstationen" is composed of twelve 'stops'. Each stop comprises a wooden peepbox with the name of a domestic herb, a sign with the title of the Station of the Cross and a pair of slippers. The slippers refer to the monk's night's rest and the function of the exhibition space. The twelve boxes with peepholes are placed in the window recesses of the northern section of the dormitory. The in-pouring daylight illuminates the interior of the 'cell' through a colour filter. In the peepbox, the single Stations of the Cross are represented by microscopic, vegetable elements. By associating the traditional contents of the Way of the Cross with evocative names of plants and microbiologic shapes like in a dream, a proposal for a dreamt Way of the Cross with twelve stations is created. The thirteenth and fourteenth station are missing, because the monk's night's rest proved to be too short to dream the entire Way of the Cross to an end.

Rotterdam, March 1998.