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The CLAUSURA project, conceived by the artistic duo Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, offers a profound and innovative approach to experiencing lost heritage, specifically at the historic Herkenrode Abbey in Belgium. Once a remarkably wealthy Cistercian abbey from the late 12th century, Herkenrode was a vast monastic ensemble, featuring intricate cloister gardens, extensive galleries, convent buildings, infirmaries, and a grand Gothic church. However, centuries of deterioration, devastating fires, and systematic demolition led to its 'vanished heart,' with most central structures disappearing entirely and leaving behind only fragmented ruins.
Rather than a literal reconstruction, Gijs Van Vaerenbergh's CLAUSURA intervenes with a 'ghostly reconstruction.' This large-scale artistic installation sketches the precise outlines of the absent abbey buildings directly into the landscape using a transparent, ghost-like steel framework. This full-scale revival re-imagines the former monastic architecture without rebuilding it brick by brick, creating a compelling dialogue between visibility and disappearance. It functions as a compound metaphor, allowing visitors to literally 'walk through absence,' tracing the vanished cloisters and recalibrating their understanding of the abbey's historical layout and scale.
Commissioned by the Flemish heritage organization Herita, CLAUSURA serves as a powerful magnet for public engagement. It ingeniously connects contemporary audiences to a lost chapter of history, fostering a deeper understanding of monastic life and the profound impact of time on architectural heritage. This immersive experience offers a unique perspective, prompting visitors to re-imagine the past and engage with history not as a static relic, but as a dynamic presence felt through the evocative outlines of what once was.
