In the DIALOGUE series, an object of Neeltje Design Studio forms a dialogue with an architectural masterpiece. Connections are made in order to explore equivalent values in terms of philosophy, form and spirit.

Today we search for the connectictivity between the spirit of the mini moon and the architectural masterpiece of Rudolf Steiner: The Goetheanum, located in Dornach, near Basel, Switzerland.

IN DIALOG WITH RUDOLF STEINER 

After a twenty-minute drive from the city of Basel, we arrive at an enormous and surreal concrete-shaped structure on the hill of the small town of Dornach. My husband and I are on our way back from a holiday in the mountains, with a baby in my belly, and I am excited because I've just got green light to shoot my mini moon in this very unusual building. Let me take you with me on this special day.

The goetheanum was built by Rudolf Steiner, who founded the Antroposophic Movement around 1913, which still finds it's headquarters in the building. It's striking architecture is designed to give the impression that the building has been shaped by the forces of earth and it's gravity. Its puristic forms and sculptures are drawn from nature to foster a spiritual experience upon the visitor that can be shared with others in the building.

The building is not only an architectural masterpiece but foremost an institute to enhance the connectivity between the sciences, the arts and the spiritual, as Rudolf saw these disciplines as one interconnected world. The open character of the building also gives a warm feeling, everyone is welcome to experience the place. 

goetheanum.ch

Taking the stairs upwards through the northside gallery we find ourselves surrounded by concrete vaults that lead to the entrance of the 1000-seat auditorium that forms the centre of the building. We can't help it but feel like we've entered a cathedral. The ornaments remind us of the style of gaudi but than in a more abstract and 'swiss' execution. 

Arriving at the top floor, the hammered wooden doors, forming the entrance of the auditorium, are heavy and impressive. This is the first spot where I place my mini moon. Forming a relationship with the sense of touch visible by the maker in the wood. 

We continue our route towards the south side of the building where the complete staircase is painted in 'floating colors'. A painting style where a broad range of colors naturally scatter over the walls in such a subtle way that you cannot distingush the transitions between them, they are one universe. In his eyes the most natural way to use and perceive the color, reminisent of natural fenomena like a rainbow or stars in a galaxy. 

Rudolf about the colors in the building:

'Everything can be perceived from the coloured elements on the surface: so, when there is that very elementary, natural way of looking at the world, to which this building wants to bear witness, all that can be grasped not in abstract terms but in direct, living contemplation'. And that is what is really important about this building: that it is not fantasised about, not interpreted, but that the people who enter it, or who look at it from the outside, become absorbed in the forms, in the colours, and take in what is there in their immediate inner perception.