The Portal from HERE to THERE: The Model

Project Background:

Over a year ago, The Portal from HERE to THERE was created as a conceptual design exercise to spiritually and emotionally unite those who are physically separate. More specifically, it was to reunite Amber with her Chilean fiancé, Fito, who was living 6,500 miles to the south for several months. They missed each other deeply and Amber designed The Portal as an expression of her love for him.

Shortly thereafter, he came to live with Amber in Berkeley as she finished her graduate studies in Landscape Architecture. They passed seven blissful months together before, on September 12, 2010 — his 35th birthday —armed robbers took Fito's life, while he saved Amber's.

She knew then that she would build The Portal as a means to communicate with the love of her life, if only metaphysically.

Though it was conceived and designed as a personal rite of passage, on the playa The Portal will become a rite of passage for the entire Burning Man community. It is transformative architecture; it is a sacred space; it is a conduit for all who enter to project his or her mind and soul across the globe, or to another dimension, so that each can communicate with his or her loved ones without the distractions of everyday life. The Portal shares Amber's love, loss, and the adventures she had with Fito. And, with the help of the community, The Portal amplify this message to him: "The entire world loves you, misses you, and wishes you well on your new adventure."

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The Model

Concept sketch- the 5 phenomenological experiences of the Portal:
Axis Mundi: Earth-Sky connection on horizon
Threshold: Entrance into the womb of the Earth
Contrasting Light: Aspiration skyward
Processional Climb: Strenuous path skyward
Pod: Metaphysical skyward projection