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Pieces Of The Past02-01-99 | 16
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While sculpting, the amount of scrap generated was huge-- approximately 50% became waste. So, the 40-foot labyrinth-- a total of 1,256 square--required 2,300 feet of pavers. The interlocking pavers were installed over an 18" crushed limestone base, and were compacted in 4" lifts. The pavers are contained with a six-inch wide by eighteen-inch deep concrete curbing, insuring the structural integrity of the project for many generations to come.

 
The labyrinth is a pattern with a purpose. This ancient labyrinth design is a wondrous, mysterious and spiritual work of art. There are no deceptions within its path, no tricks, or dead ends. This single path labyrinth provides an ancient tool that gives you the opportunity to look within, as you follow the path to the center, completing the journey of a walking meditation or prayer. Today, labyrinths are undergoing a revival of use and interest. As the year 2000 quickly approaches, more and more Landscape Architects are incorporating these mazes into commemorative projects for hospitals, parks, churches, schools and memorial gardens.

No one knows how these artistic puzzles turned up all over the world centuries before global communication. Coins found on the Island of Crete with the seven path classic labyrinth date back 3,500 years. These circular and mazelike geometric patterns have been found all over the world, including places such as Italy, Sardinia, Crete, Cypress, Greece, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, Sweden, Switzerland, the British Isles, Yugoslavia, Tunisia, Algeria, Syria, Libya, India and the United States. The labyrinth design is said to represent life's spiritual journey, and is a popular symbol for the new millennium.

This labyrinth was built by Brick Artisan Marty Kermeen for the City of Naperville, Illinois. Located in the floor of the outdoor amphitheater in the middle of the famous RiverWalk Park, it is a replica of the pavement labyrinth found in the nave of Chartres Cathedral in northwestern France, constructed in the year 1200.

The city felt it was important to create something with historical significance, which would hold hope and promise for the future. It needed to be permanent, able to withstand the test of time and Mother Nature's worst. It also needed to be in a public place where it could be enjoyed by all. The response from the citizens has been enthusiastic, as it is a unique work of art that is not only beautiful to look at, but also beckons you to participate.
The city had been interested in a permanent labyrinth for some time, and so the Riverwalk Commission and Celebration 2000 shared the expense of the project. "The labyrinth is a wonderful addition to the City of Naperville," explains Landscape Architect Pete Crawford, Riverwalk Project Manager. "It is something in which people can participate to whatever extent they want."

The labyrinth itself has a 40 foot diameter, which is hard to believe because the path is a little over 750 feet long-- the equivalent of 2 football fields. Because of the natural beauty of the park's environment, subtle earth tones-- dark red paths with brown lines-- were chosen. But virtually any colors could have been used. Due to the fact that the entire space is composed of compressed concrete, these stones will withstand the brutal Chicagoland winters.

The outer ornate designs are called lunations; they are thought to be a lunar calendar used in determining the date of Easter. So, they are very exacting, and cannot be altered by the width of the paths. There is no room for error! If there were no entrance path, then there would be 114 lunations. But, because there is an entrance path, 113 were needed.

Each of these lunations was hand cut at the site-- one at a time-- on a 14-inch diamond blade. Each lunation took more than an hour of sculpting time. The center area with the petals was also hand cut, requiring 40 hours of sculpting time. Interestingly enough, there was no paint used on this project-- each piece was painstakingly hand-sculpted from concrete pavers.

Indeed, labyrinths offer us a chance to take some time out from our busy lives. Walking a labyrinth is a gift we give to ourselves, leading to insight, peacefulness, happiness and well being. lasn
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