- Arc Hebdo 1 2 3
- Quotidien Jurassien 2.12.2009
TV Canal Alpha, telecasting from Febuary 19, 2009: steles at Saignelégier (3 minutes, French)- Evangile et Mission, April 2009, by JC Gadmer
- Extimite.ch Report and interview on Florian Froehlich, with Lise Bailat. A website with a different journalism.
- Website on organs and stained glass work in Switzerland: summary of the project: http://www.orgues-et-vitraux.ch/default.asp/2-0-1367-11-6-1/
- Website on organs and stained glass work in Switzerland: pictures of the project
- Quotidien Jurassien, March 2, 2009: http://www.orgues-et-vitraux.ch/default.asp/2-0-2702-10-6-1/
- Le Franc-Montagnard, 28.2.2009
- Radio Fréquence Jura, broadcast of February 27, 2009 , « Les gourmands n’ont pas d’arêtes » : Interview with Florian Froehlich, by Jean-Michel Probst. (duration approximately 20 minutes, in French)
- Illustré, 25 février 2009 (from Blaise Calame)
- Roland Béguin, the glassmaker in charge of this project, is evoquing the technical challenge of these steles and his collaboration with the artist Florian Froehlich (02:26 min, by Jean-Michel Probst)
- Pierre Paupe, president of the stained glass committee, summarizing the financement of the project (01:16 min)
- Pierre Paupe, president of the stained glass committee, explaining the aim of the project (01:18 min)
- Le Franc-Montagnard, 21.2.2009 (from Philippe Aubry)
- Impartial (18 février 2009)
- Quotidien Jurassien (18 février 2009)
- phArts février 2009, No 78 (article par Pierre Hugli)
- Le bulletin des unités pastorales des Franches-Montagnes, janvier 2009 2
- Radio Fréquence Jura, émission du 16.12.2008 par Jean-Michel Probst:
Interview avec des enfants et l’artiste, lors d’une visite du projet avec création de vitraux éphémères par les enfants - Le Franc-Montagnard, december 2008
- Impartial, 22 december 2008
- Quotidien Jurassien, 20 december 2008
- Evangile et Missions, 22 october 2008
- Le Franc-Montagnard, 3 et 4 october 2008
- Glaswelt Gentner Verlag Düsseldorf, october 2008, p. 109
- Impartial/Express, 3.10.2008
- Quotidien Jurassien, 3.10.2008
- Arc Hebdo, august 2008
- 24heures, august 2008
- Quotidien jurassien, 8.2.2008
- Quotidien Jurassien, 7.7.2008
Work has now started on the modern stained glass (steles) project for the Eglise de Saignelégier in the Swiss canton of Jura. Regular progress reports will be issued with news of the current onsite situation. There is much to do: the inauguration will take place on Sunday, March 1, 2009!
The artist, Florian Froehlich, and the stained glass master-craftsman, Roland Béguin, spent much time between February and April 2008 on the choice of the dalles de verre (slabs of glass of approximately 20 x 30 cm, with a thickness of 2-3 cm). The dalle de verre technique was extremely popular from 1950 to 1970, but it was not easy these days to find a quality supplier capable of producing such a large quantity of glass in the range of colours required for the current project. The glass was ordered from the glassworks in Waldsassen (Germany) on April 21, 2008.
Work on the project has continued in the workshop of the stained glass master-craftsman: after final checks on the sketches of the steles produced by the artist, Roland Béguin and his team produced full-size working drawings so that the metalwork artist (J. Scheuner, Auberson) could start work on producing the metal supports. During this waiting time, Roland Béguin took the opportunity to tidy his workshop…
And at last the glass was delivered on June 5, 2008: approximately 2 tonnes of glass, 600 slabs in all! Discharging the load was no easy matter. The material delivered was at once checked over and all was found to be in order: the quality of workmanship of our German supplier was found to be truly exceptional!
From the outset, Florian Froehlich was able to count on the support of Jacques Minala to oversee the project, and particularly to be in regular contact with the workshop of the stained glass master-craftsman situated a few kilometres from his home. Jacques has thus been able to provide a highly valuable second artistic view of the project, having worked with Florian Froehlich on other projects for many years: an intimate working relationship has thus been created between the two artists and the stained glass master-craftsman. Jacques made a final check on the rationale for the choice of colours and on the quality of the glass, and pronounced himself to be highly satisfied.
In mid-June 2008, the first three metal supports were adjusted to their final setting in the church window niches (steles 1 to 3 on the north side of the façade). Final measurements were taken in order that work could start on the stained glass elements and the first of the metal supports will shortly be sent for specialist thermolacquering.
The installation of the steles in the church will not correspond strictly to the theological chronology of the project (Old Testament, New Testament) for multiple technical reasons related to the project as a whole: need for specialised scaffolding, access to the site, availability of other craftsmen… all will come together in the end.
The artist, the stained glass master-craftsman and the metalwork artist met in the church at Saignelégier on June 24, 2008 in order to finalise the last remaining details concerning the production of Golgotha, a group of three steles (Jesus, Mary, John) which will be backlit for heightened effect at night. The base containing the spotlights will be made of steel.
A brochure concerning the stained glass project for Saignelégier has just been published (see picture) and will be distributed to potential donors and to the population of the region. Florian Froehlich has created a limited edition silkscreen representation of the project (“Spirit and light”, 200 numbered copies) which will be sold by the Catholic parish of Saignelégier (price SFr. 150, see order form for details).
Florian Froehlich at the church in Saignelégier in June 2008.
Some views of the workshop of the stained glass master craftsman (July/August 2008): Storage of the dalle de verre materials
Before application of the mortar
Application of the mortar
Scaling of the glass
Fixing with adhesive of large glass sheets
One of the finished metal supports, before specialist thermolacquering
Measuring of the metal supports before work starts on the stained glass
Calibration and cutting of the glass panes
End August 2008: numerous steles in the stained glass master-craftsman’s workshop
Plans of steles in preparation (workshop Roland Béguin)
Custom-built scaffolding had to be created in order to be able to complete preparatory work for stele no. 11 (“Commissioning of the Apostles) due to the amount of space taken up by the confessionals. This will again be the case for other steles.
The metal supports for the steles will be anchored in the stone window niche by metal rods of up to 30 cm in length.
Scaffolding has been necessary for each part of the work in the church due to the height and volume of the working space.
Some of the exterior windows and stained glass windows on the west façade of the church are in such poor condition that they will have to be replaced before the steles can be put in place.
West façade: Here you see Roland Béguin and his team at work.
The replacement of the windows on the west façade will take place during the summer so that the organ will not be adversely affected by any large variations in temperature, Saignelégier being situated at an altitude of 1000 metres!
Work with stained glass master-craftsman in Ste-Croix on August 23, 2008: Florian Froehlich and Roland Béguin collaborate on solving all outstanding technical issues.
Florian Froehlich and Roland Béguin
End August 2008: the artist will add his signature to the first of the steles.
Florian Froehlich with the stele No 2
First open day dedicated to this project: explanations for children
Florian and Isabelle Froehlich in Béguin’s workshop at St-Croix
Florian Froehlich explaining his work on stele No 12 in Ste-Croix , in the presence of Pierre Paupe, president of the stained glass commission (September 27, 2008)
The metal support for stele No 11 was just anchored in the stone (September 27, 2008)
On the west façade, the replacement of the exterior windows is finished: The metal support of the stele No 17 is waiting for the stained glass.
Setting up of stele No 15 ("waiting for Jesus")
Setting up of stele No 15 (1st of October 2008)
Stele No 15 in place: view from above, from the gallery
Stele No 16: the metallic structure before mounting the dalle de verre
Fixation of the glass (dalle de verre) on the metallic structure (stele No 16)
Roland Béguin at work – in front of stele No 16 (October 1st, 2008). “Celestial Jerusalem”. Stele No 16 and 17 are being watched from far away, from the choir, reason for their particular large and horizontal design
Backlighting in front of (horizontal) stele No 17
Measurements on the metal supports
Work on the metal support of stele No 16
Work on the metal support of stele No 16
Stele No 15 in Ste Croix
Sawing the glass
The glass stock is diminishing as the project is making progress
Restauration of the existing stain glass windows of the thirties
Restauration of the existing stain glass windows of the thirties
Assembling the renovated stain glass windows of the thirties
Last corrections on stele No 16
Detail of stele No 15
Measures are taken fort he Golgotha group (november 2008)
Welding on stele No 11
The glass master-craftsman R Béguin assembling stele No 11 (november 2008)
Beware of dizziness on the special scaffolding!
Florian Froehlich, Roland Béguin and JP Scheuner assembling stele No 11 (november 5, 2008)
Stele No 11 : « Mission »
The artist and the glass master-craftsman discussing each detail regarding the steles in the choir
Numerous pieces of glass remain after cutting and sawing: nearly an art work by itself
The truck carrying the Golgotha group of steles, seen in the snow in front of the church on December 10, 2008
Stele no. 2 („Birth of a nation“), north façade (December 10, 2008)
Stele no. 2, close-up view
Stele no. 10, south façade : « Pentecost/Whitsun »
Stele no. 10, close-up view
Steles no. 12 („Where Christ is, is His church also“), south façade; the only double stele of the project
Stele no. 12, close-up view
Stele no. 13, south façade « The Eucharist »
Stele no. 14 (« The earth brings forth its fruits »), south façade. This stele was technically very difficult to achieve as the composition entailed large unbroken areas of glass of the same colour
Steles no. 10 and 11, south façade
Steles no. 12, 13 and 14 : view of the group of steles
Test positioning of the Golgotha group (10.12.2008). Held by the crane: Jesus (December 10, 2008)
Golgotha group: metal support for „Jesus“
Metal support for the Jesus stele (close-up view)
The artist explains the concept of the Golgotha group to some young visitors
Florian Froehlich, the artist, with the metal support for the Golgotha group of steles
Positioning of the metal support for the Jesus stele
Water comes into the church during the test positioning of the Golgotha group of steles (melted snow from the crane). Stele no. 9 (The Ascension) is reflected on the stone floor
Creative workshop during the work in the church: guided by the artist and the pastoral team, children create their own stained glass works using a retroprojector and fragments of dalle de verreg lass (December 10, 2008)
Children create their own stained glass artworks: a moment of sheer magic
« Stained glass » created by retroprojector : the children’s work (December 10, 2008)
Stained glass creation by retroprojector
Stained glass creation by retroprojector
Florian Froehlich with a group of children: instant art stained glass projected on the south façade
Florian Froehlich with a group of children: instant art stained glass projected on the south façade
Jean-Michel Probst (Radio Fréquence Jura, RFJ) interviews children in Saignelégier (December 10, 2008)
Elements of the Golgotha group before mounting. Some of the glass panes are curved in order to give an extra dimension to the steles, which necessitated an additional moulding and firing of the glass.
Final discussion between the artist and the stained glass master craftsman before the positioning of the Golgotha group of steles (December 19, 2008)
Golgotha group : close-up view of the Jesus stele: Christ’s head is represented by the opening in the mount.
Golgotha group: the Jesus stele is raised upright
The Jesus stele suspended from the crane
Positioning of the Jesus stele
Positioning of the Jesus stele
Positioning of the Jesus stele
Positioning of the Golgotha Group of steles (December 19, 2008)
December 19, 2008 : The Golgotha steles are now in place : first tests of the back-lighting system. The lighting of the pillar by three luminous panels creates a vitrail de nuit group.
The mouldings of the left pillar in the choir are stunningly accentuated by the back-lighting system
Final adjustments to the Golgotha group of steles
Stele No 18, view from the outside at night : The colours make a cotton-wool like impression on the existing windows
Stele No 2 : « birth of a nation »
Stele No 3 « Crossing of the sea »
Stele No 3 , close-up view
Stele No 4 « Journey through the desert » : the absence of coulours emphasizes the theme
Stele No 4
Stele No 4 : Close-up view
Stele No 14 : « Commissioning of the disciples »
Steles No 12 to 14, south façade
Stele No 15 and 16 : « Where Christ is, there His church is also »
Stele No 17 : « The Eucharist »
Stele No 17, Close-up view
Stele No 18 : « The sower sows his seed »
Stele No 18, Close-up view
Steles No 17 and 18, south façade
Stele No 17, close-up view
Stele No 19 : « In the annticipation of Christ’s return »
Stele No 19, close-up view
Stele No 20 « The new Jerusalem», west façade
Stele No 20, close-up view
Stele No 21 : « The new Jerusalem», west façade
Stele No 21, close-up view
Creation (stele No 1) : First stele of the whole project, but one of the last to be mounted
Annonciation (stele No 6) : is announcing Golgotha, some steps away from here
Scaffolding in the choir (February 21, 2009), around the metal support of stele No 10 (Resurrection) : final sprint before inauguration on March 1st, 2009.
Choir, metal support for stele No 11 : the glass will be piled on in some days
Stele No 10, Resurrection.(choir), February 25, 2009. The two steles in the choir were the last to be mounted.
Stele No 10, Detailansicht. Viele wunderschöne Details kann man hier entdecken…
Stele No 10, close up view
Stele No 11, Resurrection.(choir, east), February 25, 2009. The two steles in the choir were the last to be mounted.
Stele No 11, close up view
Stele No 11, close up view
Stele No 11, close up view
Stele No 11, close up view
Commemorative tablet related to the projet, west fassade, close to the entrance
The pinboard is used very actively by the visitors of the church, allowing them to communicate their impressions directly to the initiators of the project.
Jacques Bélat, professional photographer with a large experience in art photography, is starting with the documentation of the steles (March 2009).
Jacques Bélat, professional photographer with a large experience in art photography, is starting with the documentation of the steles (March 2009).
This slide show allows you to go through the 21 steles in a chronological manner. Each stele is associated with a citation from the Bible. Relax and take some 11 minutes to watch these pictures and listen to the choruses of JS Bach’s Magnificat.
Official invitation for March 1st, 2009
Pictures of the inauguration
Church at Saignelégier, March 1st, 2009
The bishop of Basel Denis Theurillat celebrating the inaugural mass
Inaugural mass, March 1st, 2009
Inaugural mass, March 1st, 2009
Florian and Isabelle Froehlich during the inaugural mass
The trumpeter Maurice Bernard is opening the afternoon celebration
Pierre Huwiler directing the choirs of the Franches-Montagnes
The artist presenting his project during the afternoon celebration
Bernard Miserez asking himself : Why stained glasses in this church ?
Guided tours through the project, at the end of the celebration
Guided tours through the project, at the end of the celebration
Speeches during the inaugural concert on March 1st, 2009
Abbé Bernard Miserez : pourquoi des vitraux dans cette église ?
Florian Froehlich, artiste : présentation du projet
Abbé Jean-Pierre Babey : vitraux et spiritualité
Pierre Paupe , Président de la Commission des vitraux
Jean-Philippe Brahier, Président de la Commune ecclésiastique de Saignelégier
Inaugural concert on March 1st, 2009 (selection)
Trompette et orgue: Maurice Bernard et Stéphane Schupbach
01. Sonnerie de Maurice Bernard
02. Suite en Ré majeur de G.F.Haendel: Ouverture
03. Sonate en Ré mineur de JF d'Andrieu (Adagio, Allegro, Adagio, Gigue)
04. Jubilate Deo, de A.J. Silver
05. Sonate No 5 en Do Majeur de D. Gabrielli (Allegro, Largo, Allegro, Presto)
Choeurs d'église de l'unité pastorale Saint Jean - La Courtine
Composition et direction: Pierre Huwiler
06. Marie des Vernes
07. Par le monde
08. Berceuse pour un enfant à naître
09. Ultreia
10. Sanctus
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