„Библиотеки на светлината“
The Absent Presence of the West and the Present Absence of the East. (René Magritte and Nine Forms of Shunyata)

Summary/Abstract: The two architectural spaces, presented in this article provoke reflection on the essence of libraries. In the era of technology, their future as mere repositories for books is often discussed. The analysis of these two spaces – “Library of Light” by Es Devlin and Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscript Library at Yale University represent the far more sophisticated nature of the library, rather closer to the idea of the sacred space. The library is presented as a compass, a mirror, a place for dialogue but also as an unapproachable pillar of knowledge, reminding of axis mundi—the vertical corridor between the different worlds situated in the temples. In both cases, the light as an intangible element has a significant role, both in building the atmosphere and as a message, reminding of the much more comprehensive essence of the library as a shelter and sanctuary of knowledge.

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