ON THE ROAD WITH ERNST FUCHS
AT THE MOSES FOUNTAIN
AND ST. JAKOBSKIRCHE

      After working in the chapel for a few days, Ernst Fuchs suddenly announced that we would all be going to Vienna. Along the way, we stopped in Barnbach to see the Moses Fountain which he had designed and built.
      Then, at break-neck speed, we were off to Thal to see the church of St. Jacob, which he had also designed and built. Its design was inspired while he was in Israel, standing on the shores of Lake Gennesaret. This, it is to be remembered, is the lake where Christ first made James and Jacob 'fishers of men'. The design was inspired by the waves of the lake, and the whole church forms a kind of boat. Ernst Fuchs and I discussed the idea of the church as a boat - a vehicle for traversing the sea, metaphorical of the spiritual realm.
      Then, we all slept in his villa in Vienna for a few nights, before returning to Klagenfurt, and a few weeks of intensive work on the Apocalypse Chapel.

Ernst Fuchs describing his intentions for the Moses Fountain: the parting of the Red Sea, etc.

The Moses Fountain at Barnbach,
creating a marvellous play of light through the sun reflecting off the mist and cascades of water on the gold of the statue and the shell and polished stones of the mosaics below.

The interior of St. Jakobskirche
The seats form a series of waves leading to the altar (the waves of Lake Gennesaret). Above the altar hangs a cross that offers a stunning play of light within its crystalline construction.

The unfinished mural of Christ and the Pharisees, with Lazarus in the background, recently arisen from the dead.

Fuchs discussing the work still to be done on the murals.

The fabulous stained-glass window of the Madonna and Child, just behind the altar.

The Eye of God over the church entrance.

Continue photo-documentation of
'Working with Ernst Fuchs':
In Monaco
The Seminar in Payerbach
Or go back to:
in Klagenfurt