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THE GOLDEN BRAID
or
How The Center Remains Empty
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January 2003
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| On the occasion of the historical decision during the summit
in Copenhagen of expanding the European Union from 15 to 25 states, I proposed
on 27 November 2002 to use the necessary adaptation of the European Flag
to truly enhance its symbolic power.
This can be realized by combining the expanded circle of stars with The
Golden Braid by Penrose/Escher. This proposal has now been presented to
Brussels and other governmental bodies for further discussion and deserves
some explanation.
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The Golden Braid originated after the Second World War in the work of
the graphic artist M.C. Escher. In 1958 the braid reached its present elementary form by
the mathematician Roger Penrose. The historical development of this 'child
from the marriage between art and science' can thus be paralleled to that
of the European Union.
The image represents a three dimensional figure that can only be realized
in a two dimensional fashion. One cannot give it spatial design. That is the reason that
this object is also known as the Impossible or
Eternal Golden Braid.
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In a political context this image can serve as a powerful symbol of the
Trias Politica: the Division of Powers found in a modern democracy. In this way the center
remains empty - no absolutism, no petty autocracy.
With the supplement of the desired number of stars for each member state,
a modern, relativating symbol is created that is more than the sum of
its parts, and is above all, unique in its sort. The 'Eternal Triangle'
shall be a constant reminder to us of the 'Eternal Task' of creating a
united Europe.
This icon will help in a natural way the realization of the peaceful
ideal it symbolizes.
Amsterdam, Christmas 2002
Peter Schat
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APPEAL
to the
European Union |
27 november 2002 |
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Human beings are political as well as visual animals. They need images
to develop their thoughts, icons to open new perspectives. The European
flag is a case in point. It is by now, after a generation in use, a well
known symbol: a blue background with a circle of twelve stars. And it
is indeed what a flag should be; recognizable at first sight, and different
from other icons.But it is at the same time utterly boring and of a destitution
that betrays the artistic poverty of its cradle: bureaucracy. Visually
it is as inspiring as a dishcloth, and as such, a shame for a continent
so rich in images.
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Rem Koolhaas has designed an attractive alternative: a
bar-code of the national colors of all the member states of the Union.
It is a simple, colorful and direct proposal, with an ironic flavor of
consumerism. But it has one serious flaw: it ignores history. It simply
eradicates the previous flag with one big revolutionary stroke. This is
indeed too simple for a satisfying solution. So with the impending enlargement(s)
of the Union the problem remains.
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It has been proposed to create a second (and eventually
a third) ring of twelve (smaller) stars within the existing one, but that
could result in a suggestion of second and third rate member states, which
would violently clash with the whole idea of the Union. Besides, this
would not change the basic visual poverty of the present design. It would
just mean more of the same.
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So let's give it another try. Because the time is ripe
- another opportunity will probably never come again!
I propose to use Penrose/Escher's well known 'Golden Braid'
or 'Impossible Triangle' as the European Icon. It can symbolize the democratic
Separation of Powers, the Trias Politica, upon which the Union is based
and which holds the cluster of stars of its member states firmly together.
Additionally it carries with it an ironic suggestion of the 'impossibility
of the European dream'.It is an intriguing, robust and 'infinite' image,
that in a magical way seems more indestructible than a mere triad would
be. It could even serve as the symbol of the rule of law.
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Political institutions of Europe unite,
and give us this inspiring icon!
Based on this idea I've begun to write a string trio, involving
also this most delicate and humble of all musical instruments: the triangle.
It is called
An Impossible Triangle for Europe
opus 50
It will be published in due time on this site.
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To Mr. Lars Mitek
Head of Unit Secretary General of the European Commission
Dear Mr. Mitek,
Thank you for your quick response on behalf of Mr. Prodi to my 'Appeal
to the European Union'.
I understand that there has never been any plan in adapting the European
flag to the impending enlargement of the Union, as was indeed, like you
wrote, "widely reported in the press".
To be the victim of a press hype is always painful, and in this case also
rather disappointing because I had a little hope that the dull and visually
uninspiring European icon could be improved upon. Now it will remain,
as it is, with the 12 stars - 12 being the "symbol of perfection
and entirety", as you write.
As a composer, working with the 'equal tempered system', which is now
in use all over the world since the time of Johann Sebastian Bach, I couldn't
agree more! As I see it the twelve tones are indeed 'a symbol of perfection
and entirety', as I have visualized in the 'tone clock' (see attachment).
It is the basis of all my work for the last two decades, which includes
my website.
Clearly, the twelve hours of the tone clock are visually much more interesting
than the twelve equal stars of the Union flag, and they could represent
the differences between the twelve original states (in size, or population)
much more adequately than the present equal stars do. So why not use the
tone clock as the new European icon? This is of course a naive idea, if
only because it has been erroneously decided that the enlargement will
not touch the icon.
That a the original icon will remain, is in my opinion, a poor decision.
It expresses only a lack of imagination and courage, and doesn't take
the newcomers seriously. These new members of the Union mean a new beginning
for Europe and deserve that recognition.
So my Appeal, with its strong symbolic meaning, still stands.
As a European citizen, yours truly,
Peter Schat
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DREAMING OF EUROPOLIS
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Travelling through Norway's fabulous
fjords to Europe's North Cape
(that strikingly resembles the Rock of Gibraltar) |
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to the land of the midnight sun
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and with Europe at your feet |
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| one is tempted to dream of EUROPOLIS. |
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I think many Europeans dream that dream, without even knowing it. Because
after Duisenberg's historic achievement of euro, and the impending enlargement
to 35 nation-states, Europe is yearning for a new inspiring challenge.
Such a challenge is essential to prevent stagnation of the unification-process.
- a matter of life and death for the whole world, since the Europeans
have managed already twice within the last century to unify the world
in war, and a third time could mean total holocaust. We really need a
supreme effort.
So lets build EUROPOLIS, the capital city of Europe!
Many traditional nationalists would argue that such a city is already
provided for - we only have to choose from Paris, London. Berlin,
Rome, Madrid, Brussels or Strasburg. But somehow this choice doesn't really
inspire many people, however beautiful and fascinating these cities's
each are. Maybe they're just too saturated with their own 'history'.
Yet history teaches us about those countries, when growing as big as a
continent, invariably building their new capital city: Washington
and Brasilia in the Americas, and Canberra in Australia - to name only
the best known.
So let's join them with Europolis.
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On a bird-safari in the crystalline waters of
the North Cape, with Europe at your feet, midsummer nights-dreaming
of Europolis continues: |
The spacious center of this 'dream
city' is a large park, inhabited by a herd of grazing descendants
from the bull that carried the goddess Europe on its back in Greek mythology.
Here are no motorways; only waterways and footpaths - for peddlers and pedestrians.
All connections (between the three main buildings and with the rest of the
city) are underground.
Silence reigns supreme.
The center of the park is a great lake that containing the
26 islands of the Genes Archipelago. These double islands
represent the human genome as it was recently revealed by our strongest
microscopes. |
(genome.jpg - opzoeken) |
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From the center of this archipelago arises the Prismaquarium:
a large triadic aquarium that reveals and multiplies the surrounding
underwater life to every passer by. A permanent fountain of rising airbubbles
provides an uplifting atmosphere.
When hit by the sunlight this huge Newtonian water prism produces a spectrum
of hitherto unseen proportions.
This is the European Monument of the Enlightenment.
The three angles of the Prismaquarium are directed at the three
buildings on the borders of the lake, symbolizing the Separation
of Powers in a modern democracy.
Each edifice is crowned by its own sphere:
the Golden Sphere of the Excecutive,
the Marble Sphere of the Judiciary, and
the Coloured Sphere of the Legislative
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They symbolize the Sun, the Moon and the Earth,
as our generation has seen the latter, with tears in our eyes, at dawn
from the moon -.
Around the park are (proportionally) the 35 city sections of the
member states, freely built in their national tradition as a contribution
to the Community.
A convincing computerdesign of Europolis can only be realized
by professional architects - under construction.
To give you an idea of the main elements of this dream I've made some
models in glass, as lamps in my attic. They're just exercises, nothing
definitive, of course.
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The layout of Europolis should be seen as a further
development of the cosmos-oriented city planning of the ancient civilizations
of Babylon, Egypt, Mexico or India.
It emphasizes the awareness that we're all citizens of the universe.
This orientation seems appropriate at the beginning of a millennium in
which the human race started to colonize its solar system - another dream
that can only be dreamt in peace.
A City inspired by cosmic democracy can of course
only be realized in an inspired and truly democratic way. Not afraid of
dreams, but on its guard of illusions.
Its name, site, meaning and form should only be decided in grand public
debates, throughout Europe. This is exactly the sort of debate we need
for our further communal development.
I hope my sincere contribution will be helpful here.
(Cape North, july 2002)
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