Testimonial
From: Jeff Saward, Editor Caerdroia; Co-Director,
Labyrinthos
When the masons at Chartres created the labyrinth pavement in the Cathedral
some 800 years ago, their understanding of the construction geometry
and techniques combined with their skill and craftsmanship. They
created what was, at that time, probably the most technically complex
labyrinth installation ever attempted. These labyrinths in the Gothic
cathedrals were known to their builders as Domus Dedali - the House
of Daedalus - the master builder of the ancient world. Their labyrinth
at Chartres has stood the test of time, remaining as one of the few
paved labyrinths from the medieval period to have survived. This
labyrinth has, eight centuries later, become pivotal to the modern
revitalization of labyrinths.
To build a modern replica of the Chartres Labyrinth likewise requires
the skills of a master builder, one who truly understands not only
the nature of the labyrinth design itself, but also the techniques
needed to work the materials to create it. Having worked with Marty
Kermeen on a number of labyrinth design and construction projects
over the past seven years, I know that he is probably the only modern
builder of labyrinths who possesses that rare combination of insight,
skill and experience needed to create a true reconstruction of the
Chartres Labyrinth, in the materials and the spirit of the original.
Jeff Saward