Symposium Host
Ralph Crispino, Jr., East Haddam, CT
Founder, Executive Director
The I-Park Foundation, Inc.
www.i-park.org
Major Discussion Topics
1 - Introduction of the Thanatopolis Concept
- The need for a physical space, a public space
- Primacy of the immediate surviving generation
- Cultural relevance
- Aesthetics
- Thanatopolis within the I-Park master plan
- Integrating the creative disciplines
2 - Memory in the Sacred Space: The Thanatopolis Proposition
- Sympathetic surroundings
- Complexity versus simplicity
- Distortion, misdirection, camouflage, illusion
- Subjective versus universal evocations, the scourge of symbolism
- Receptivity to memory: humility, ennoblement, associations
- Enhanced contemplation, reflection
- Attenuation of memory
- Memory as a means of discovery
- Sequencing, intervals, cycles
- Advances in neuroscience
3 - Landscapes of Memory:
Sites, Non-Sites and the Possibilities of Place
Guest Speaker: Lisa Saltzman
4 - The Living Memorial: The Thanatopolis Proposition
- Individual memorials
- The Gaudi Memorial: abstraction versus specificity
- The Affinity Memorial
- The role of the garden and the natural landscape
- Event memorialization, commemoration
- Cremated remains versus the cenotaph
- Interactivity
- Ephemeral memorials
5 - Materials: The Thanatopolis Proposition
- Permanence versus impermanence,
including maintenance considerations
- Decomposition as a design element
- Soft Architecture: ceramics, wood, masonry, glass, resins,
bone, metals, brownstone
- Tensile structures
- Temporary structures
- The super wild, gnarly, garden – ‘editing’ the existing landscape
(a Bill of Rights)
- Architectural glass, cast/wrought iron canopies, shrouds
6 - Overview: Inspiring Memorial Parks from Around the World
- Ciudad Abierta (Juan Purcell)
- Igualada (Enric Miralles)
- Brion-Vega (Carlo Scarpa)
- Urbino (Arnaldo Pomodoro), un-built
- Mount Auburn, Forest Hills
- Montparnasse, Pere Lachaise
- Oakland Columbarium
- Finisterre
7 - Interment, Anniversary Memorial Service, Dia de los Muertos
- Dignity, impact
- Ceremony, Performance
- Ritual Adieux
- Water, fire
- Music, Sound Sculpture
Tone sequence/Annunciation
Processional
Memorial composition
8 - Sound-scape of the Sacred Space
Guest Speaker: Fitz Patton
9 - Defining the Thanatopolis Space
The Character of the Space:
- Creating a sacred space: mystery, the sanctum sanctorum,
invisible design
- Privacy in the public space
- Site specificity, deep integration
- Proper balance between the natural landscape and
the creative interventions
- A proper verge between Thanatopolis and other
functions/activities at I-Park
- Scale, proportion: intimacy, expansiveness
(impact on receptiveness to memory)
- Egalitarian ethos
- Embrace or rejection of tradition/custom
- Hang time: physical comfort, a sense of connection/possession
The Physical Space:
- Ultimate location: current site by the pond, new location across
the river, off site?
- Incorporating the water, air and subterranean spaces:
floating memorials, caves
- Demarcation: walls, fencing, screening, gates, vistas
- Thanatopolis as a field or as a path/journey?
- Environmental preservation: a light footprint on the land
10- Review of Submissions
- Statement of Selection Committee: quantity, quality, responsiveness
- Feedback from applicants: concerns, questions, enthusiasm
- Presentation of leading submissions
11 - Execution
- Sole visionary architect
- Design team: memorial park by committee
- Curated versus a free-form aesthetic
- Organic, participatory development
- The Ciudad Abierta method: primacy of the poetic act
- The Environmental Art method: primacy of with the site
- Architectural approach: primacy of the program
- I-Park approach: primacy of music
- Digging right in without a plan – seeing what emerges
- Partnering with an existing institution
- Sustaining the vision
- Delegation: trust, like-spiritedness
12 - Integrating the Creative Disciplines: Redux
- Achieving consensus
- Role of the Selection Committees
- Inter-disciplinary collaboration
13 - Giving Shape to the Thanatopolis Exhibition
- Achieving a coherent vision for the event,
defining measures of success
- Generic versus themed memorials
- Clarification, simplification of the Thanatopolis concept:
establishing an accessible identity and sense of purpose
14 - Practical Considerations
- Zoning, land use restrictions
- Public perceptions, acceptance: ‘the first one in’
- Economic considerations including opportunities for artists
- Creating a destination
- I-Park’s core competencies
Optional Topics
- Thanatopolis Noir
Light Garden
Light Sculptures
Illuminations
Fire Art
- Waterworks projects
- The Angel’s Hopyard: a role for joy, irony?
- Re-imaging the eulogy
- Pyrotechnical/Percussive Effects
- Electronics in the park
- Ceremonial pond vessel, carriage
- Sound-scape: modifying/enhancing the I-Park din
- Children’s section
- Historical record of the I-Park grounds: native population,
geology, agriculture
- Potential connection to the adjoining Foxtown Cemetery
- Garden types
- Symposium documentation (catalog, video)
- Community gardens
- How/what to present to the public on Sunday
- Handicapped access
