FEATURES OF THE FORMATION OF SACRED SPACE AND VISUAL PERCEPTION OF ARCHITECTURAL IMAGE IN ARCHITECTURE OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE PILGRIMAGE CHURCH OF GOTTFRIED BÖHM IN NEVIGES

Abstract

Sacred architecture of the second half of the twentieth century underwent significant transformations associated with a rethinking of the role of the church in society, the development of new construction technologies, and changes in liturgical practices. During this period, architects actively searched for new artistic and spatial forms capable of conveying the spiritual meaning of a sacred building through the language of modern architecture. In this context, the work of the German architect Gottfried Böhm deserves particular attention, as he is one of the most prominent representatives of modernist sacred architecture and a laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The pilgrimage church “Mary, Queen of Peace” in Neviges is a remarkable example of architecture that combines expressive concrete plasticity, symbolic imagery, and innovative spatial solutions. The study of this building is relevant for understanding the tendencies of sacred space formation in the twentieth century as well as for interpreting the principles of creating a spiritual atmosphere in contemporary church architecture. The purpose of the study is to analyse the architectural and artistic features of the pilgrimage church “Mary, Queen of Peace” in Neviges designed by the German architect Gottfried Böhm, and to identify the principles of sacred space formation in the architecture of the second half of the twentieth century. The article examines the architectural composition of the church, the peculiarities of its spatial organisation, plastic language, and symbolic meaning that shape the unique artistic image of the sacred structure. The methodological basis of the research is a comprehensive approach combining historical-architectural, compositional-spatial, and symbolic-figurative analysis. Methods of scientific literature analysis, comparison, interpretation of architectural forms and spatial solutions, as well as typological generalization were applied. This approach made it possible to consider the Neviges church as an example of the synthesis of modernist tendencies, sculptural concrete plasticity, and traditions of sacred architecture. Results. The research revealed that the architectural concept of Gottfried Böhm is based on the creation of a dynamic and sculpturally expressive form that shapes a unique sacred space. The pilgrimage church in Neviges demonstrates the use of expressive geometry and monumental concrete structures that create a sense of spiritual elevation while simultaneously forming the symbolic image of a “stone tent” for believers. The spatial organization of the church is aimed at uniting a large number of pilgrims and creating a collective religious experience, which corresponds to the new liturgical tendencies after the Second Vatican Council. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive interpretation of the architectural concept of the Neviges pilgrimage church as an example of sacred space formation within modernist architecture. The study reveals the relationship between architectural form, symbolic content, and the spiritual function of the church, and demonstrates how the plasticity of architectural volumes and the organization of interior space influence the creation of a sacred atmosphere. The practical relevance of the research lies in the possibility of using its results in further studies devoted to the history and theory of sacred architecture of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, as well as in the educational process during the training of architects and environmental designers. The identified principles of forming a spiritual atmosphere and organizing pilgrimage space may be applied in contemporary design of religious buildings that aim to combine traditional spiritual values with new architectural forms.