Kaitlyn Parmely- Van der Leeuw on Architecture

Van der Leeuw says that the sacramental word is manifested within buildings themselves. "It is a bounded space, a delimitation of the playing area." (pg. 331) Buildings found in nature become spaces for people to dwell. In church's people can go to pray, or in some famous church's people go to look at the art work. Stained glass windows, odd shaped ceilings are all forms of art that can be found even within buildings themselves. From a standpoint in kataphatic theology you can look at a building and feel the presence of God or God communicating to you through the building or according to the story that the art within the building tells. The religious art within a building can also be found in myth or ritual. For example, taking communion in church would be an example of a ritual that is a shared experience that is extremely powerful when it is taking place among a group of people. A theatre can also be a place in which religous art is found. Architecture is able to hold and entertain many different things within its space. A building in nature alone says one thing, but the word, dance or music that takes place within the forum can contribute to the religious art found within the building as well. Spectators in an audience of an orchestra (theatre) includes a group of people engaging in one simple message within a particular space. Architecture holds religious art in many ways and can be found not only in buildings, but within natures own creations as well.