The Starry Bamboo Mandala by Gerard Minakawa is a new interpretation of an ancient legacy of sacred spaces. Mandala, which means "container of essence" in Sanskrit, has long symbolized both a microcosm of the universe from the human perspective as well as spiritual centers of meditation. In contrast to the 2-dimensional mandalas of Hindu and Buddhist religions, however, this mandala has been translated into 3-dimensions. Seen from above, the eight columns are arranged in a circular pattern on the ground, symbolizing an 8-spoked "wheel of life" as it is known in Buddhism. Midway up the structure, the horizontally extending bamboo arms transform this wheel into an (8/3) star polygon... a geometric pattern found frequently in Islamic art. Further up, a shift in the arrangement of horizontal bamboo poles creates an (8/2) star polygon, also known as the Star of Lakshmi. The structure terminates at an invisible point 55 feet up from ground level, at the vertex of a star point as seen from ground level. The structureå«s principal dimensions of 55' high x 55' wide essentially enclose it in a giant invisible cube... and the star polyhedraå«s center at the 27.5 foot midpoint define a giant sphere within that cube. Furthermore, a Fibonacci sequence of numbers, found in natureå«s countless geometric patterns, is also found within the structure. The building material, bamboo, is strong, light, and incredibly flexible; multifunctional and highly renewable to the point of being indispensable in cultures ranging from Latin America to Asia; and it exudes a curious mixture of humble abandon and dignified poise.
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Starry Bamboo Mandala by Gerard Minakawa

Photo by: Mark Hammon

Year: 2006

Image Caption: 

The Starry Bamboo Mandala by Gerard Minakawa is a new interpretation of an ancient legacy of sacred spaces. Mandala, which means "container of essence" in Sanskrit, has long symbolized both a microcosm of the universe from the human perspective as well as spiritual centers of meditation. In contrast to the 2-dimensional mandalas of Hindu and Buddhist religions, however, this mandala has been translated into 3-dimensions. Seen from above, the eight columns are arranged in a circular pattern on the ground, symbolizing an 8-spoked "wheel of life" as it is known in Buddhism. Midway up the structure, the horizontally extending bamboo arms transform this wheel into an (8/3) star polygon... a geometric pattern found frequently in Islamic art. Further up, a shift in the arrangement of horizontal bamboo poles creates an (8/2) star polygon, also known as the Star of Lakshmi. The structure terminates at an invisible point 55 feet up from ground level, at the vertex of a star point as seen from ground level. The structureå«s principal dimensions of 55' high x 55' wide essentially enclose it in a giant invisible cube... and the star polyhedraå«s center at the 27.5 foot midpoint define a giant sphere within that cube. Furthermore, a Fibonacci sequence of numbers, found in natureå«s countless geometric patterns, is also found within the structure. The building material, bamboo, is strong, light, and incredibly flexible; multifunctional and highly renewable to the point of being indispensable in cultures ranging from Latin America to Asia; and it exudes a curious mixture of humble abandon and dignified poise.

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