Neverending glass art for monastery library

For the new reference library of the historic Benedictine Abbey of Metten, 96 metres of glass painting with typography were created to the specifications of artists Robert M. Weber and Hinz Rosin. The artistically designed glass light band above the bookshelves of the new monastery library, which claims to be a 'healing centre for the soul', invites visitors to linger and immerse themselves in reading.

The 'lux ex alto' - the light from above - is intended to be both therapeutic and creative, proclaiming the wisdom of the Christian faith. Weber and Rosin's word-image glass artwork is based on religious texts provided by Abbot Wolfgang Hagl. The artists have placed glass painting at the service of the word and the word at the service of glass painting.

Abstract glass painting microstructures in shades of yellow, green and blue on white glass and silver-yellow painting are forming the background of the glass frieze. Alternating biblical words and quotations in Greek, Hebrew and Latin, sandblasted, sunk into the glass or painted with black solder, flow through the band of light around the bookcase, virtually without beginning or end. The viewer can enter the dialogue between word, light and stained glass at any point and be guided by the 'lux ex alto'.

Photos (c) Hinz Rosin