An evaluation on immaterialisation phenomenon in religious spaces of architecture

Abstract

This study relates to the subject, but with a specific focus on the material andthe conceptual approach of monumental religious architecture to the use of material. Material is originally formless; in a constant quest to find expression. Especially with industrialization, material, that started to be considered independentlyof construction process of a particular artifact has been displaced (deterritori-alization) and deformed. The ‘Architecture-Reality" relation lies in the interac-tion between the material and its representation, which gives the material its ex-pression. This point of view will lead us to understand how the use of materialfinds expression and help us define the ways in which religion uses the materialto shape the space. This the study will elaborate on the relation of ‘Religion-Archi-tecture-Reality’ with respect to the concept of dematerialisation. To define whatcan be a common expression for all three elements, we must openly look at sin-gular examples; with a perspective independent of geography, culture and time.It is quite difficult to notice and point out how these concepts emerges in spaces.Laying out the different setups and the perceptional differences created within thesetup can certainly enable a better definition of the relevant methods. This studyevaluates the religious spaces related to the two widespread religions in terms ofmaterial use and religious expression; in an attempt to draw attention to the twocontemporary concepts we have borrowed from art.