Client: Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine

Overview

This stunning site-specific installation’s field of ribbons was created for the nave of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in NYC.
Patterson’s largest work to date cascades in light and color from the vaulted arches of the Cathedral’s interior, drawing from the hues of stained glass and shadows within the Cathedral’s nave and leading viewers’ eyes to the elegant architectural details throughout the interior, newly revealed after years of restoration and cleaning.

Divine Pathways was created in concert with communities and organizations from across the Morningside Heights neighborhood, New York City, and the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Patterson has invited community members to literally write themselves into the work by extending an invitation to write hopes, dreams, and prayers onto the ribbons themselves. Though individual prayers will be anonymous and beyond the viewer’s sight, their collective presence creates an experience that is both intimate and immense, and that celebrates the collaborative process and community itself.

Goals

At the center of this installation is a heart of gold. It is a heart to connect us to ourselves, and the goodness of humanity. As we look up the fabric strands - I call them light pathways that are connecting heaven and earth - our hopes, dreams and prayers stream up to the divine and grace streams down to us.

Process

This project was conceived of by Anne Patterson, and brought to life in collaboration with the team at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Mike Sapsis and the crew at Sapsis Rigging, and a team of assistants.