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Contemporary Labyrinth Works by Rafala
Green
 What
is a Labyrinth?
The labyrinth is an ancient and powerful symbol of wholeness,
unity, and transformation. This universal, archetypal
pattern has been experiencing a profound renaissance
throughout the world. It has been suggested by one observer,
that the rediscovery of the labyrinth is directly connected
to the experience of a world that is increasingly filled
with conflict and uncertainty. This experience has fostered
a growing hunger to find new ways to stay balanced,
centered, and connected. On the labyrinth we can "re-member"
 who
we are as we reconnect to ourselves, our bodies, each
other, our environment and our spirits.
This
form, mandala or symbol has been found in cultures all
over the world. It has appeared on every continent in
prehistory, from Peru to Siberia, India to Arizona,
Africa to Scandinavia. Carbon dated to 1500 B.C.E. from
a clay tablet in Syria, this form is at least 5000 years
old. New findings continue to emerge. However, the most
significant information available to us about the labyrinth
can best be discovered in the first hand experience
of it in our own lives.
 An
Artist's Journey
My first encounter with the labyrinth was profound.
Somehow, I knew that this form had already been a part
of my life in another time and space. My immediate reaction
was to learn all I could about this mysterious form
in the hope of rediscovering the source of its powerful
connection to my life. The more I learned, the more
I began to understand and experience the labyrinth not
just as a tool for balancing and centering one's life,
but also as a powerful metaphor of our individual life
journey. Within a relatively short time I found myself
inspired to create a whole series of new labyrinth designs.
They emerged one after another seemingly without any
conscious plan. When I finally stopped to see what had
happened, I discovered that each of the labyrinths I
had created reflected some aspect of my own personal
journey. I also discovered that while each labyrinth
held a personal significance to my path, they also reflected
some aspect of all our journeys.
The Experience
Labyrinths can be experienced physically by walking
them on the ground or floor, or they can be experienced
by walking them with their eye or by following the path
with one's finger. The impact of each experience is
equally profound. It is the intention that one brings
to the experience that determines the benefit.
Made to
Order
For the last two years, I have been involved in the
design and construction of traditional and contemporary
labyrinths that are permanent, temporary and portable.
See all current labyrinth designs.
Permanent
labyrinths can be installed in lawns, gardens,
fields, parks, playgrounds or as part of the design
of a sacred space anywhere.
Temporary
labyrinths are usually requested by groups or
individuals for use during a specific occasion like
a festival, a retreat, and/or a conference. They are
constructed on the grounds of the event usually with
surveyor flags and brightly colored tape.
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These
works can be created small enough for the desk top as
finger labyrinths; or as banners, wall hangings or unframed
prints that can be traveled with the eye; or they can
be large enough to cover the floor to be walked by one
or a group. All of these works are hand painted and
delivered in their own container. Their major advantage
is that they can be easily stored away or carried from
one location to another as needed. My floor labyrinths
are also available on a rental basis.