49
48
Raisonné 03
Consciously designed to evoke the crown of thorns worn
by Christ on the cross, the asymmetric brass chandeliers
are beautiful, but also rich with meaning. Unlike the lights
in most churches, they are dimmable, which allows the
Meilahti clergy to adjust light level over the course of the day
and season, and to create specific atmospheres for services,
concerts, and celebrations.
In the context of a church, light acquires a special symbolic
resonance that is absent from other settings. For Christians,
light is inextricably interlinked with holiness. When
designing for Meilahti Church, Tynell brought not only
an aesthetic and functional knowledge of light, but also a
spiritual understanding of its importance.
As well as the main light fixtures,
Tynell also designed a number of
wall lamps and chandeliers for
Meilahti Church, as well as the font
and the candelabra beside the altar.
Chandeliers for Meilahti Church, Paavo Tynell, 1954
Tynell in Helsinki
