The Palace
the Temple
a close up of the edges
The site map as a wholeTuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
This Is You Making a Groovy Mayan Remix
Pakal wants you to make the crowd peak. Match beats, count measures, cross-fade, put the platos in phase... Encontras vuestros tocadiscos... Grabas un disco!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Baptismal Intervention
As I have researched the effect of water on the Mayan culture at the site of Palenque, I would like to pose an intervention which I believe is nessicary to the development of the site.
A third construct which participates in creating an enclosed courtyard and directs the flow of the river into a calm pool in the courtyard. This construct serves as a baptisimal.
A third construct which participates in creating an enclosed courtyard and directs the flow of the river into a calm pool in the courtyard. This construct serves as a baptisimal.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Grid System -Centralization Theory # 9
A closer look to the intervention in our site of Palenque.
The new develop path for Pakal to move from the Temple to the Palace.
Entire site.
The intervention, is a path.
Theory No. 7-B (Process and Growth Photos)
The entire relief model: The original 24x36 inch sized watercolor sheet was cut down due to the centrally focused nature of this theory. The watercolor paper was cut along existing topography lines.
The "inverted tower" extending below the intersection of the three main Houses; E, B, and C.
Linear elements imply spaces that may be occupied by Maya leaders for reflection and council.
The node as it appears underneath the relief model.
The Palace as it appears underneath the relief model.
Relief Model Photos
Theory of Observation of the Sun Setting Over the Temple of Inscriptions from the Palace Tower:
The path of the sunlight mimics the orientation of the constructs around the site.
The Plaza functions as access to the Palace Tower, where only royalty and priests could enter, which leads to higher spaces.
The path of the sunlight mimics the orientation of the constructs around the site.
The Plaza functions as access to the Palace Tower, where only royalty and priests could enter, which leads to higher spaces.
Theory #23: Relief Model Photos- Spatial Relationships to the Mayan Afterlife
Summary of Theory: My theory explains how Pakal’s construction of vessels at Palenque physically manifests the final spiritual journey taken in the afterlife as believed in the Mayan religion.
This diagram shows the layers of the 9 levels of the underworld (Xibalba), the 13 levels of heaven and the Cieba tree (or earth) which divides the two realms. (Photo from http://www.inriodulce.com/links/theninegods.html)
In studying this theory more closely, I have found that both structures designed by Pakal (The Temple of Inscriptions and The Palace) act as organizers and containers for space. For instance, the outer perimeter of the Palace consists mostly of public spaces which move upward in order to bring occupants further into the structure. As the occupant moves inwardly through the construct, space becomes increasingly more private and compact with a change in scale and the utilization of narrow walls. Concurrently, distinctive spaces (such as the tower) gain a gradual upward movement while others (the subterranean tunnels) gain downward movement.
Another example of this spatial arrangement happens within the Temple of Inscriptions. Although the building appears to be an impenetrable fortress, the spaces within are organized in a similar fashion. Though the spaces are seemingly less complex in comparison to the Palace, the same architectural language is used. The entrance to the Temple involves an arduous climb up an exterior stairway which finally leads the occupant to a small, semi-public covered space situated at the top. A small opening in the floor of the space leads the occupant down a staircase which becomes narrower as it descends. Eventually the passageway leads to the smallest, deepest space within the Temple of Inscriptions- Pakal’s tomb.
These organizational systems create complex layers and nested spaces that can be similarly identified in the journey taken to get to the Mayan afterlife.
In Mayan religion, it is believed that there are 9 levels of the underworld (also called Xibalba) and 13 levels of heaven. The two realms are separated by the sacred Cieba tree which is rooted in Xibalba and has branches which extend to the 13 levels of heaven. The Mayas held that once a person of royalty died (such as King Pakal), they would have to endure a difficult journey through the 9 levels of the underworld (Xibalba) in order to reach the final stage of rebirth. They believed that each level of the underworld was ruled by gods of death and disease who had to be defeated before the dead could journey to the next level and eventually be reborn as a god. Though it is certain that the Mayas did believe in the 13 levels of heaven, there is very little information on the details of what was believed to occur within these levels.
Relief model portraying my interpretive theory of Pakal's construction at Palenque
Close up of The Palace, The Temple of Inscriptions and the aqueduct at Palenque
Showing the layered spaces within The Temple of Inscriptions
Diagramming the nested complexity of space within The Palace
Layers of the Palace and upward movement of the smaller space of the Tower
This diagram shows the layers of the 9 levels of the underworld (Xibalba), the 13 levels of heaven and the Cieba tree (or earth) which divides the two realms. (Photo from http://www.inriodulce.com/links/theninegods.html)
In studying this theory more closely, I have found that both structures designed by Pakal (The Temple of Inscriptions and The Palace) act as organizers and containers for space. For instance, the outer perimeter of the Palace consists mostly of public spaces which move upward in order to bring occupants further into the structure. As the occupant moves inwardly through the construct, space becomes increasingly more private and compact with a change in scale and the utilization of narrow walls. Concurrently, distinctive spaces (such as the tower) gain a gradual upward movement while others (the subterranean tunnels) gain downward movement.
Another example of this spatial arrangement happens within the Temple of Inscriptions. Although the building appears to be an impenetrable fortress, the spaces within are organized in a similar fashion. Though the spaces are seemingly less complex in comparison to the Palace, the same architectural language is used. The entrance to the Temple involves an arduous climb up an exterior stairway which finally leads the occupant to a small, semi-public covered space situated at the top. A small opening in the floor of the space leads the occupant down a staircase which becomes narrower as it descends. Eventually the passageway leads to the smallest, deepest space within the Temple of Inscriptions- Pakal’s tomb.
These organizational systems create complex layers and nested spaces that can be similarly identified in the journey taken to get to the Mayan afterlife.
In Mayan religion, it is believed that there are 9 levels of the underworld (also called Xibalba) and 13 levels of heaven. The two realms are separated by the sacred Cieba tree which is rooted in Xibalba and has branches which extend to the 13 levels of heaven. The Mayas held that once a person of royalty died (such as King Pakal), they would have to endure a difficult journey through the 9 levels of the underworld (Xibalba) in order to reach the final stage of rebirth. They believed that each level of the underworld was ruled by gods of death and disease who had to be defeated before the dead could journey to the next level and eventually be reborn as a god. Though it is certain that the Mayas did believe in the 13 levels of heaven, there is very little information on the details of what was believed to occur within these levels.
Relief model portraying my interpretive theory of Pakal's construction at Palenque
Close up of The Palace, The Temple of Inscriptions and the aqueduct at Palenque
Showing the layered spaces within The Temple of Inscriptions
Diagramming the nested complexity of space within The Palace
Layers of the Palace and upward movement of the smaller space of the Tower
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)