Le Choeur de Lumière (Chapel of Light), Eglise de Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Bourbourg, France

Over a period of several years, Anthony Caro has been working on a major series of sculptures and architectural features to form part of the restoration of a chapel at Bourbourg in Northern France, about 12 miles east of Calais. The Chapel of Light is situated in the choir of the Church of St Jean Baptiste. During World War II, a damaged English aircraft crash-landed on the roof of the church in order to avoid the houses in the town, and set it on fire. The church itself was restored, but the choir was separated by a wall from the body of the church and left in ruins until ten years ago. Caro was commissioned by the French Ministry for Culture and Communication to make a sculptural installation that would bring new life to the redundant choir.

Specifically for the project he has designed and built two huge internal oak towers each about 18 feet high. These towers are to be used for musical performances and allow vertical exploration of the church space. Caro has also made a concrete baptismal pool and a spectacular series of steel, wood and terracotta sculptures to fill a series of niches in the walls of the apex to the choir. Various other sculptures complete the east and west naves, linked through a doorway to a large exterior sculpture in corten steel. The sculptures follow the themes of The Creation (relating to the baptismal font) culminating in Adam and Eve. Anthony Caro recognises that this monumental project is an exceptional opportunity for an artist. He stated, 'The light in the church is wonderful and it is such a privilege as an artist to be given a whole space to work with'. Not since Matisse's Chapel in Vence has another artist been given this opportunity.

The Chapel was inaugurated on Saturday 11 October 2008 during a weekend of events also including the openings of the three exhibitions in Calais, Dunkerque and Gravelines (see below). A fully illustrated catalogue is available. The project has been made possible through the kind financial support of: The ERDF( FEDER): The French State, Ministry of Culture and Communication: The Regional Council for the Nord - Pas de Calais: Dunkirk Coastal Area (Dunkerque Grand Littoral): Parliamentary allowance of the Member of the French Assembly M. DECOOL: The SIVOM of the Aa and others.


Press Release - Map - Chapel of Light Work in Progress Pictures - Chapel of Light Pictures