Client and Program: Edge of Spaces for Celebration and Reflection

The Mayan calendar was utilized for many purposes in ancient times. Several of these purposes revolved around various celebrations and times of reflection based on the Mayan calendar: births, deaths, religious ceremonies, cultural achievements, the end of a Long Count cycle (52 years), etc. These events allowed for a significant gathering of people, but based on their purpose they would likely congregate differently. The range of the types of people that would amass at a location containing the Mayan calendar varied and could include commoners to elite as well as priests or spiritual leaders who would aid in celebration and reflection.

In general the calendar was a universal tool to organize time as well as predict the future holidays of a specific cycle. The calendar was such an important artifact in Mayan culture because of the belief that the gods granted the Mayans life 52 years at a time (the length of the Long Count cycle) and that this 52 years must be earned. Anxiety was a common sentiment nearing the end of each Long Count cycle and groups would gather to present offerings and then celebrate once they were inevitably granted longer lives. This affected every civilian regardless of social standing and they would likely feel the need to be connected to the calendar especially at this specific celebration. Large interior spaces and the massive size of the calendar allow for the general observance or exhibition of the calendar (roughly 12 feet in diameter, 3 feet thick) as well as movement throughout the space and differing perspective views of the calendar itself.

It is believed that the calendar could also be used to predict birth energies of an individual, along with divination to determine individual destinies. This would likely be performed by a spiritual healer and occur in a smaller setting where families or friends of an individual would be involved. The scale of such a space allows for intimacy within a group, therefore connecting the participants on many levels in such an activity.

Finally, on a much more personal note, the Mayan calendar was used "as a spiritual device that enables a greater understanding of the evolution of consciousness" and allowing one to "align [themselves] with this cosmic evolution toward Enlightenment." This type of reflection is clearly a very personal experience that allows an individual to feel connected and enlightened at the same time. In a smaller, more secluded space, this reflection could be possible and important for the spiritual and sometimes religious development of a Mayan civilian.

The calendar was used mainly as a tool to determine any date in the future or in the past. The system of telling time that the Mayans invented combined a few different cycles that overlapped to create the overall calendar system. This shows that the combination of things that have one main purpose in common - for instance, to tell time - could be applied to the construction of a space as well. My space contains three separate zones of different scales, but they are all tied into the important and awe-inspiring Mayan calendar. Much like the purposes of the calendar, the purposes of the room may differ but still have a strong connection and therefore allow for movement, exploration, and contemplation throughout the different spaces.