IMAGES OF A DAHESHIST CENTER (the pictures)

[Johnson]

THE DRAWINGS


Over view. This black and white pen and ink drawing is a free hand somewhat ‘birds eye’ perspective drawing on drafting vellum. One can see the general grouping of the buildings I have discussed. The Library structure is in the upper right of the page. The entry point is on the other side of the Library out of view in the drawing. The Museum is in the center of the drawing. The Museum’s expansion potential is shown via the ‘wings’ to the left and right of the structure. These wings also start to envelope and enclose a defined area around the centralized Temple. The Temple as described above is based upon an earlier drawing. There are walkways and waterways in the gardens around the pediment bases of all the buildings that are not shown… subsequent drawings start to show these.


Orange Sky Temple. This drawing with the orange sky is an early design for the Temple. I have used the basics of this design as the Temple within the Daheshist Complex drawing. The basics of the scale and form of the Temple are evident here. This drawing is done with pencil and chalk on a very dense Strathmore board.


Shaded Temple and Museum Detail. The enlarged shaded detail of the Museum and Temple starts to show in greater character the forms and massings of the buildings and how light starts to play against these forms. This is a pencil drawing on tracing paper laid over the original line work.


The Auditorium drawing is for a large-scale amphitheater complex with administrative functions housed in a complimenting tower structure. This drawing is done with pencil, color pencil and chalk on Strathmore paper.


A Resting Place. Many of my drawings are of, or incorporate bridges. I have always liked bridges and the symbolism they represent: The connection between here and there, the idea of ‘crossing over’… These are all poetic metaphors for me. I call this drawing “A Resting Place” because while I imagine the ‘crossing over’ I can also envision the view being an overlook to a beautiful valley and stream below…


Complex 2. This is a black and white pencil/chalk study of another version of a library/museum/temple complex. Here the setting is rocky and more barren than the lush park like setting I would like to see. The layout is of circles and concentric circles, as an ongoing continuum. Here I tried to play with rounder, more organic shapes to contrast with the harder landscape features.

[Johnson]

I am preparing another drawing of The Orange Sky Temple. It is an interior section that shows more of the inner workings of what I was envisioning for this building. In my late night thoughts as I am drawing away and trying to imagine how a temple such as this might look and function... I am ever aware that these are ideas based upon what I guess makes sense to me. As such, I wanted to further expand what I have thought about and open these ideas to what others may have thought about or trigger others to start thinking about these things.

These are the ideas that I run over and over in my mind as I am working away:

1) The form of the Temple. I want the form to be somewhat different than what is currently thought of as 'church' or 'mosque' or 'synagogue'... yet I want it to still solemnly speak of 'temple'... in a modern, evolutionary way. Just as the same way that Daheshism is not "new"; it is evolutionary of everything that has come before. I have always tried to think of the forms as modern, yet rooted in history. Ultimately, the forms however, relative to the importance of their actual function, are irrelevant. The gathering of people in remembrance of Dr. Dahesh, the prayers of the individuals...this is what is truly important.

2) The scale of the Temple. I have worked through various scales of temples; from a small, intimate temple for a few people, to a medium sized temple, to a temple that is really more of what we know today in the realm of churches or mosques or synagogues where several hundred people can gather together. Ultimately the final scale will depend on demographics and population. This version of The Orange Sky Temple is what in my mind fits in as a medium scaled, semi-private temple. The central focus in the middle of the structure is an alter for individual prayer. The perimeter around the alter is more of a cloister for screening people from the alter, and the alter from the people. This allows for an individual to pray undisturbed whether there are others in the temple or not. It also allows for a group to pray together should the need or desire arise. Symbolically, the interior cradles the physicallity of the burning prayer to rise up through the space.

3) The function of the Temple. The function of the temple in my thinking has gone through many evolutions. There are really two primary functional components that I have considered and a potential third. The two primary functional components are a) individual (or group) prayer, and b) communal gathering for lectures or presentations. I have separated these two functions. The prayer I feel is a very personal, contemplative, individual event. I did not want the distraction of a large group (as with a congregation) to be an integral part of the intimacy of prayer. The congregational gathering of a large group and the sharing of information in a lecture form is a very important part of our growth and development and while linked to our prayerful time, by nature of this public/private environment, I have linked, yet separated the two.

The third component, which I have removed physically from the temple, purely for the sake of privacy and security, is a mausoleum. Invariably, physical death is a reality for all of us, and societies and cultures have dealt with death and remembrances in many, many different ways over time. I think cremation is a common option for most Daheshists. This topic alone would be a good one for debate... I can only speak for myself. While as Daheshists we celebrate reincarnation and the continual evolution of life and the spirit, as humans in the present day, I think we connect to places that hold the remembrances of those that we have loved that have moved on to the next phase of their spiritual existences.

I guess I think of a mausoleum in the Daheshist sense as more of a living shrine, rather than a static place of death. I think it is in our human nature to want to have a touch point place that we go to, that holds our remembrances. The Vietnam war memorial while not a mausoleum per se, is a very stirring memorial experience...

I mention all these things as I wanted to open my thoughts to any debate or ideas that others may have. I hope to post more pictures over this next week. Thank you for your time in reading all this.

[Loup Solitaire]

I am preparing another drawing of The Orange Sky Temple. It is an interior section that shows more of the inner workings of what I was envisioning for this building. In my late night thoughts as I am drawing away and trying to imagine how a temple such as this might look and function... I am ever aware that these are ideas based upon what I guess makes sense to me. As such, I wanted to further expand what I have thought about and open these ideas to what others may have thought about or trigger others to start thinking about these things.

These are the ideas that I run over and over in my mind as I am working away:

1) The form of the Temple. I want the form to be somewhat different than what is currently thought of as 'church' or 'mosque' or 'synagogue'... yet I want it to still solemnly speak of 'temple'... in a modern, evolutionary way. Just as the same way that Daheshism is not "new"; it is evolutionary of everything that has come before. I have always tried to think of the forms as modern, yet rooted in history. Ultimately, the forms however, relative to the importance of their actual function, are irrelevant. The gathering of people in remembrance of Dr. Dahesh, the prayers of the individuals..................

The third component, which I have removed physically from the temple, purely for the sake of privacy and security, is a mausoleum. Invariably, physical death is a reality for all of us, and societies and cultures have dealt with death and remembrances in many, many different ways over time. I think cremation is a common option for most Daheshist. This topic alone would be a good one for debate... I can only speak for myself. While as Daheshist we celebrate reincarnation and the continual evolution of life and the spirit, as humans in the present day, I think we connect to places that hold the remembrances of those that we have loved that have moved on to the next phase of their spiritual existences.

I guess I think of a mausoleum in the Daheshist sense as more of a living shrine, rather than a static place of death. I think it is in our human nature to want to have a touch point place that we go to, that holds our remembrances. The Vietnam war memorial while not a mausoleum per se, is a very stirring memorial experience...

I mention all these things as I wanted to open my thoughts to any debate or ideas that others may have. I hope to post more pictures over this next week. Thank you for your time in reading all this.

I find the drawings interesting(i always want to spell it drawlings, must be my southern heritage). Also I like some of your comments.

I see Star Wars (this is good! exciting!). Something futuristic.

When I had contemplated a Daheshist City, I had thought of a more western location, near the Rockies, or maybe southwest near or in Arizona or New Mexico. I guess that is because I thought of a terrain more like Lebanon. I think that area is more spiritual anyway.

The elevations are high. There are mountain rivers and streams. Plus there are exotic desert flowers and cacti. Land can be cheap. Actually, the rocks would fit quite well in such a location. Another challenge might be the need to terrace the layout which would give the opportunity to place one of the buildings at a high point or focal point. Or it could be a low focal point.

The terrain of both of New Mexico and Arizonia varies considerably from flat to mountainous. The climate can go from desert heat to snow covered mountains.

These are simply some thoughts I had about a location.

I realize everyone has different ideas about treatment of human remains. Myself, the only thing that makes sense is cremation. To me it seems practical. Actually, I don't think anybody wants to hear my most practical idea.

But the idea of a memorial makes a great deal of sense. A place to put a brief inscription of recognition. Even if it were not forever

Nice drawings!

[Johnson]

Ron...thank you so much for your thoughts. I agree with you about the southwest. The terrain and climate is exquisite... a location that has the beauty of nature all around would be such a natural location for a contemplative and spiritual center. This project sort of has similar criteria that Walt Disney dealt with back in the 1960s. He needed lots of cost effective developable land. He needed a buffer around this land for future development. Orlando and the outlying areas were really no man's land before Disney came along.

I had envisioned a location closer to a major cultural center, but land costs in such areas may in time be just too prohibitive. The southwest or the midwest may be more likely candidates as you had said. And maybe, just like the Disney model, where ever it may happen... that may become THE cultural center in and of itself.

[Johnson]

Here are some more pictures in the series of Daheshist Temples...from around the "region".



Temple on the rock



Temples with orange sky



Temple with dome



Temple elevation

[Loup Solitaire]

.

I had envisioned a location closer to a major cultural center, but land costs in such areas may in time be just too prohibitive. The southwest or the Midwest may be more likely candidates as you had said. And maybe, just like the Disney model, where ever it may happen... that may become THE cultural center in and of itself.

Actually Phoenix, AZ is close to Flagstaff which is very close to the Grand Canyon. I've been to Phoenix on an overnighter, but nothing more. Flagstaff is at a much higher (and cooler elevation). Phoenix is a large metropolitan area with a great deal of cultural offerings. There are some very spiritual sights to the north of there. The area may well offer the best of two worlds.

[Sandrine]

Here are some more pictures in the series of Daheshist Temples...from around the "region".

AWESOME Work David ! ... Really Inspiring ...

Thank you so much !!!

[Johnson]

Thank you Sandrine for your kind words. I truly feel honored and humbled to share work I have thought about for so long here with everyone in Daheshville. These are images that may never have found a home if not for our community here...Daheshville has shown itself over and over again to be such an open refuge of expression and dialogue about Dr. Dahesh and what Daheshism is and how we manifest it within ourselves and within the real world and within our real lives.

Ron, yes, thank you for your thoughts on the Flagstaff area. Red Rock, Sedona is around there as well and it is truly an inspiring area... one day Ron, one day...!

[boxfox]

that's really interristing david, modern temples, i was just wondering about the sign on the top of the building, don't u think that placing a star over it is a good idea

[Johnson]

Orange Sky Temple

that's really interesting David, modern temples, I was just wondering about the sign on the top of the building, don't u think that placing a star over it is a good idea

Hi Box... nice to hear from you again. I hope you are doing well.

You raise a very good point that I have spent a lot of time thinking about... and it is a point that makes for a very good discussion... Placing a star on top of the building may initially seem to be an obvious choice or statement for a Daheshist Temple. I have deliberately avoided this for several rather lengthy reasons (I will elaborate at a later time) but the short answers are these:

The star in and of itself (without the prayer) is just a star: common to many faiths and is on the flag of many countries. The star with the prayer written in it is the sacred prayer... neither of which seem appropriate to me to place as an object on a building (or elsewhere for that matter...ie. bumber stickers or window stickers... I know this may seem like an absurd concept right now, but think about what people do within other faiths) I do not want the sacred beauty of the star (and what it means symbolically to us) to become a common household relic or icon. By common I mean, no longer carrying the sacred intent of the Daheshist prayer. I want the building itself to be "the brand"... not see the name or likeness of our prayer or Dr. Dahesh's picture becoming "the brand"... like with shopping bags... or other non essentials. Look at what other religions have embraced as their "relics" and "icons"... and what they have done with them... kind of scary.

Secondly, for lack of a better term, "modesty" is key here... modesty to me preserves the sacredness of the star. I have heard stories conveyed to me of how the Dr.'s house was... He did not overtly adorn his surroundings with the star symbol... and we know how central the prayer was to that environment.

Thirdly... The Daheshist Temple(s) will be always be known for exactly what they are... regardless of any obvious symbolisms. Each design I have worked on here, and especially the Orange Sky Temple, does in fact have many, many subtle expressions... walls are angled at 6 and 20 degrees for example. The architrave around the dome has the stylized points of the way we draw a star. Nearly every dimension of the structure is in a multiple of 6 or 20. The very temple shape of the structure I liken to an altar with a golden, burning prayer on top. These are all subtleties and nuance. Stair runs have treads of 6 and 20 steps. If one wants to run up the steps to get to the front door or go to the second floor, no problem; the technical aspects of the stairs are there and they meet modern building codes. However, if one wants to be mindful as one approaches the temple, or in traversing through the structure, the counting of ones' steps, (as in 6 steps, then 20 steps)... there is a subtle nuance and reference there that one can understand, should they desire to... and be modest and mindful... as we should be in all things.

Those are the essentials of my thoughts. I welcome any and all other thoughts you or others may have.

[boxfox]

well i am fine thank you, i guess that tou might be right about the star as a sign over the building but i still think that it's better to have a certain sign to this building, anyway i am trying to help in adding ideas

what about the several numbers of these temples, are they prototypes for a final elected one

[Johnson]

well i am fine thank you, i guess that you might be right about the star as a sign over the building but i still think that it's better to have a certain sign to this building, anyway i am trying to help in adding ideas

Hi Boxfox...thank you checking in again and sharing your thoughts. I do agree with you that there should be a certain sign to this building... I hope I did not convey otherwise... Currently I am working on a scale model of the Orange Sky Temple and more detailed plans. I think the model will help us clarify some of the good points you raised. I have several ideas that I will post on what I was thinking of at the entryway... as far as designs and motifs and some graphics... I think they will better follow some of the points you raised.

what about the several numbers of these temples, are they prototypes for a final elected one

Well... that is a very good question. This actually IS the committee! Well, for now anyway. Each of the various designs reflects a variety of different thoughts and different takes on a theme... also each design responds a little differently to climate and topography and locale. Each one is sort of a little "experiment"...

Having gone back through sketches and drawings that have been done over the years, I presented here what I thought were the more successful ideas. What I have dubbed the "Orange Sky Temple"...(purely because it is easier for ME to keep track of what drawing I am referencing!) is one of my more favourite designs. It is also one I always wanted to take further and do some actual plans and details and a working model to further refine the ideas.

Will one of these ever be built? Well, I believe something, someday will be built, yes. I can only do my part, my contribution to what I feel... I started posting these images if for nothing else... maybe they might be something of some small inpiration to someone, somewhere... to well, do SOMETHING! ...we all have a piece of ourselves that we can contribute... and I don't just mean in the arena of what a Daheshist Temple might be. Everyone's participation here is a huge contribution on the developing community of Daheshism. But no, there has not been a mandate to design these things... I just felt compelled that they SHOULD be done. There has not been a mandate for any of the incredible contributions here in Daheshville. Everyone just felt they needed to do SOMETHING...

That being said... I also post these because I want people to see that this is all very REAL. That we here are all very REAL. I have tried to present these drawings in as realistic manner as possible... so as to present them much like photographs of very real buildings in somewhat very real places. It is trying to make the images so real, that hopefully, one day in the near future, the reality of their existence just follows naturally. Kind of like the movie "Field of Dreams"... If you build it, they will come...

[Mario]

Branding, a fact of life.

In an imperfect world (such as the one we perceive), anytime we are faced with choosing between one product, service, or even ideology, over another, we are faced with "branding." Anytime there is perceived risk, there is branding. We probably don't care what "brand" of nails to use when building a shelf, or what "brand" of plywood to use. However, when we have to choose between Coke or Pepsi... And, the brand is not just about the "Logo." You have associated memories that come to play... and a gazillion other factors working either independently or in concert that these respective corporations pay a great deal of attention to in order to gain and retain "loyal customers." It gets to the point that even when a company is worth very little on paper, it's "brand" — kept alive through goodwill — is worth a lot more than the company itself.

Daheshism may have been (as were the other "truths" that came before it) "revealed" (in other words, introduced to our Earthly "dimension" through some sort of "communication" with "someone" from the "other side"). However, revealed or not, once it enters our dimension, it becomes, by default, subject to the laws of Earth.

The Doctor himself paid attention to his image. Why?

Why should he wear ties... or have evocative pictures taken of him... if he was not — or felt the pressure of — "playing the game according to the rules." ... And anyone who mechanically repeats "The Doctor had his spiritual reasons for wearing a tie, making sure he presented himself well, had the best of the best produced books of the highest quality... used Crest toothpaste... and certain brands of cologne..." is not actually comprehending what they are saying. If that happens to be you, or you, or you... here, let me make happy by throwing in the towel and declaring defeat before you and God. You won. You are right and I am wrong...

Godspeed.

(Psst, are they gone?... OK... hold on... just a couple more seconds... OK, yeah, I think the coast is clear...)

Ahem... Anyway, here is my point:

Anything, may it be tangible or abstract, that claims to be unique enough to have its own identity (by definition, our identity is whatever me might think we are) can only hope to have an image (the reflection of the identity that the public sees) to match it.

Daheshism is not claiming to be better than Christianity (for example). How can it? In fact, could there have been Daheshism without Christianity?

Nevertheless, Daheshism, by virtue of it relative degree of completeness vis a vis Christianity, can claim to be unique.

And for the record, Daheshism is NOT based on science. I know many keep saying "The Miracles Prove this and the Miracles Prove that."

I'll say this again: anytime we use the verb "prove" we evoke a particular process. Miracles MAY prove to a person on a DEEP MYSTICAL level of the existence of GOD, but that has nothing to do with scientific methodology. In fact, use straight science alone and you will — at best— come up with the conclusion that you CANNOT DISPROVE the existence of GOD.

Yeah, but being unable to prove (scientifically) that God DOES NOT exist does not mean you proved (again, scientifically) that he does.

Yes, I know, in the "old days" we used to use "prove" a lot and that was good enough for some. Others, realized that ... well... there is something missing in the logic, and I will put once again before you the paradox that many dare not even fathom or considering thinking about because it challenges their faith:

If God grants us free will, how come fate also exists? (please don't answer here... )

All that being said, I'll close this tangent and get back on the initial train of thought I started:

Whether we wanted or not, Daheshism (I don't know when, I don't know how) will need to have a Mark, a logo, a sign...

But it can't be something we lay like an egg... then again, it may be...

Some of the best "symbols" or "logos" were designed in mere seconds (I am referring to the basic fundamental concept of a Logo)

The Masons have a logo. The Christians have a logo... my local bagel shop has one (hey, you eat THEIR bagels, and you've FOUND religion!)

What might the Daheshist logo be?

Will it be Text treatment only? Text with an Icon? Icon alone?

These are the issues we need to resolve.

Will the logo include the Star? Or, will the logo show an abstraction of a folded symbol on a dish with an "eternal flame" coming out of it?

Etc. Etc.

(Oh, look, they're back, quick, quick, refresh the screen!)

Ahem... "yeah, as I was saying, branding and marketing, just like Disco music are products of the devil!!! "

[Johnson]

Floor plans and Building Section for the Orange Sky Temple


Here are the base drawings for the preliminary construction drawings for the Orange Sky Temple. These are part of the series to study the necessary details to construct the scale model I am working on.

The main floor plan is in the upper left. The main prayer chamber and altar is in the center. There is curved seating around the perimeter walls of the prayer altar allowing small groups of people to stand or sit and share in the reading and burning of prayers. For larger gatherings, there is an upper mezzanine level (the drawing in the upper right) that overlooks down in to the main prayer chamber below allowing more people to gather and watch and partake in the prayers. There are both stairs and an elevator up to this level.

Each of these two levels also has smaller, secondary prayer rooms and conference rooms for more private gatherings, readings or other prayer rituals. The prayer rooms on the main level also have access to outdoor covered balconies.

The drawing in the lower left shows a full section through the various floors of the temple. Through the center you can see the altar on the main floor and the mezzanine above overlooking the main prayer chamber. The burning prayer symbolically rises up through the prayer chamber up to the dome structure over head.

There are various ideas for the inner and outer treatment of the dome. One option is to do the dome as a skylight allowing light to filter through and in to the temple. This would also allow the night sky to be somewhat visible overhead in the evening. Another idea is to make the dome opaque. The exterior of the dome in this scenario would be done in gold leaf (much like the colored Orange Sky Temple drawing above)… with the sun shining on the temple during the day, this lights the dome up like a prayer being burned on an altar. The interior could be done like a projection screen much like in a planetarium…reflecting images of the night sky or other inspiring images.

The drawing in the lower right is the lower floor that houses administration and function rooms and bathroom and kitchen facilities. This entire floor is housed in what appears as the plinth or platform at the base of the rest of the temple structure. This level connects underground to the rest of the Daheshist Complex as well as having direct walkout access to the gardens.

The little clear plastic circle in the middle of the drawing is actually one of the little plastic domes I had made for the model. They were made by a really cool plastics company in Maine that makes such things.

[Johnson]

Images of the City 1


Here are some more 'photos' from around town...


Images of the City 2



Images of the City 3