(Photo: Edmund Sumner)
In the bustling landscape of the Sharjah Architecture Triennial, amidst the convergence of modernity and tradition, stands a sanctuary crafted by the hands of architect Yussef Agbo-Ola. Nestled within the former school turned headquarters of the triennial, this sanctuary, known as Jabal: 9 Ash Cleansing Temple, emerges as a testament to reverence for nature's grandeur and the urgency of environmental stewardship.
Agbo-Ola, hailing from the environmental design practice Olaniyi Studio in London, envisioned this temple as an homage to Sharjah's topography and biodiversity. Woven from jute, hemp, and cotton yarns into a tent-like structure, Jabal embodies the essence of reflection amidst the encroaching shadows of climate change.
(Photo: Edmund Sumner)
Spiritual Essence and Cultural Roots
"This living architectural entity is a sanctuary for honoring non-human life and endangered species within the womb of a sacred mountain," Agbo-Ola expressed passionately to Dezeen, encapsulating the spiritual essence behind his creation. Rooted in the traditions of Bedouin, Yoruba, and Cherokee communities, the temple beckons visitors to partake in the timeless rituals of incense burning and breathing ceremonies, fostering a connection with the natural world.
Jabal's architectural form and hues are a poetic ode to the Jebel Jais Mountain in Ras Al Khaimah, standing as sentinels of wisdom and resilience against the backdrop of the evolving landscape. Agbo-Ola's reverence for mountains as repositories of environmental heritage echoes throughout his creation; each thread is intricately woven to evoke the rugged terrain and fossilized micro-crustaceans that adorn the mountainside.
Embracing Impermanence and Transformation
Yet, beyond its aesthetic allure, Jabal embodies a deeper narrative of transformation and interconnectedness. Agbo-Ola's design celebrates the cyclical nature of life, where decay and renewal intertwine in an eternal dance. "This is the memories that slip into our consciousness rather than fixed in pattern and shape," is what he thinks, and this represents his desire to find the real meaning of ubiquitous change and impermanence.
Also Read: DAAR's Concrete Tent in Sharjah Desert Shows the Idea of "Permanent Temporariness"
While giving way round the wondrous space presented by Jabal, mankind is pointed to a place of reflection, thought, and interservice with the main attribute of nature. This atmosphere, which is filled with the incense-like odor and the tipsy whispers of the wind, reminds the weary pilgrims of the presence of the sacred mountains deep in the cave. Agbo-ola's vision goes beyond the material, borrowing the idea of sound to escalate the interaction of the five senses for the natural world to reach a new community of audiences through the oldest traditions of healers and shamans.
(Photo: Edmund Sumner)
The Message of Jabal
Through Jabal: 10, Yussef Agbo-Ola succeeds in giving us access to the inner spaces, both spiritual and introspective, via the Ash Cleansing Temple canvas. In an era when the rapid rate of evolution becomes a source of hope for some and despair for others, his creation will be an image in a shield, meowing us about the beautiful harmony of life. By following the edges of this hallowed ground, we all recollect that we are not mere visitors to this planet. Instead, we are guardians and holders of the earth's magnificence and diversity for one another and the future beyond us.
When submerged in the peaceful calm of Jabal and hearing the faint echoes of the past and traditions, we discover a place where the soul finds shelter. This shelter unites us all beyond the limits of human borders, like a sanctuary where we admire the imposing force of nature as a whole.
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