EmbassyofLiminalSpaces H.MasudTaj

ProducedbytheDepartmentofForeignAffairs,TradeandDevelopmentCanadainconjunctionwithpoetH.MasudTajTheoriginalpoemwascreatedfordisplayattheCanadianConsulateinBangalore.ReproducedwiththepermissionofHerMajestytheQueeninRightofCanadaasrepresentedbytheMinisterofForeignAffairs.

PubliparleMinistredesAffairestrangres,duCommerceetduDveloppementconjointementaveclepoteH.MasudTajLepomeoriginalfutcrpourtreexposauConsulatcanadienBangalore.ReproduitaveclapermissiondeSaMajestlaReineduchefduCanadareprsenteparleMinistredesAffairestrangres.

Embassy of Liminal Spaces i Postscripts|Postscriptum

TheArchitectofLiminalSpaces|Larchitectedesespacesliminaux BruceMeyer

TheWayfarersLines:SomeThoughtsontheCalligraphyofEmbassyofLiminalSpaces.Letracduvoyageur: RflexionssurlacalligraphiedupomeLAmbassadedesespacesliminauxPetraHalkes

ii Translations|Traductions

TypefacetranslationbyDFATD

Lambassadedesespacesliminaux DFATDandRoseannOReillyRunte

RajivTrivedi

iii Acknowledgments|Remerciementsiv Installation

i

The Architect of Liminal Spaces Architectsandpoetshave incommononekeyelementoftheircrafts:theybothmakesomethingoutofnothing.Makingsomethingoutofnothing isoneof thefoundations of history; it is the way we grow as creatures that cannot stopimaginingwhat canbeandmaking ideas into realities.Thearchitectdreamsofcreatingandmakingspacesthatexpandthereachesofhumanconsciousnessandexperience.Thepoetdreamsof fillingourmindswith ideas, imagesandwordsthatreachbeyondthefamiliarityofhumanconsciousnessandexperienceandofsharingwhathedoesintheformoforganizedlinguisticmemories.Andwhilethearchitect is looking tobreakdownwalls, tomakespace intoaworldunto itself,the poet is attempting to instigate the existence of newworlds if only so hisreaderorlistenerwillgoforthtorecognizethewonderofnewexperienceswhenthey present themselves.One dealswith the space around uswhile the otherdealswiththespacewithinus.

IfinditfascinatingthattheapparentdualityofarchitectsandpoetsisfusedintheworkofH.MasudTaj.Heisoneofthoseraremindsthatreconcilesimpossibilitiestoeachotherandmakeoppositionscompatibleandwonderful.WhenIwasaskedtowritethis introductiontothepoemthatappearsonthewalloftheCanadianConsulateinBangalore,forapoemthatTajbuiltasmuchasheimaginedit,Ifeltsometrepidation.IknowpoetryalmostbetterthanIknowmyself,butthespacesinwhichIfindmyselfonadaytodaybasisseldominspiremetoperceivephysicalspaceassomethingwithoutlimits.Iamperchedonathreshold.

Tajs writing on the wall is his poem Embassy of Liminal Spaces. As awordsmith, I know that the idea ofwhat is liminal refers to that threshold ofexperience that situates an individual between the world of the definableconcreteexperienceanda larger thoughabstract realityof the senses.A spacethat is liminal isaplaceoftransition,aportalbetweenwhatweknowandwhatweareyettoexperience.Thatparadox,thatstatementofoppositionsiswhatanembassyisallabout.Anembassyisadoorbetweenonenationandanother.Andhere,on thewallsofadiplomatic spacededicated tohelpingpeoplepass fromoneplacetoanother,isTajspoem.Itiswrittenonthewallsinordertoserveasastatement of guidance, a testament in calligraphy that reminds me, at leastimaginatively,of thewritingon thewallsof ancient templesor important civiclandmarks.

Ilovethefactthatthewallsaretalkingtovisitors.Thepoemisamap,aseriesofverbal instructions to the imaginationof the traveler thateases theprocessoftransition inherent ineveryriteofpassage.Theserites,whetherpersonal, legal,or internationalmark thosemomentswhenwe become something other thanwhatwehavebeen.Call it growth.Call it learning.Call itdiplomatic red tape.Whatevertermweputtothatexperience,onething iscertain:wearedifferent,perhapsbetterandwiser,forhavingundertakenajourney.

TheancientChaldeankingcelebratedinoneoftheearliestsurvivingepicpoems,TheEpicofGilgamesh,undertakesaheroicjourneyinordertoredeemofthelifeofhisdear, lost friend,Enkidu.Gilgamesh fails inhisquest toobtain thesacredflowerofimmortalityandrestorelifetothedead,butwhathereturnswithfromhisextensivetravelsisaprofoundsenseofhavingbeenchanged,ofhavingbeen

madewiserfortrying.Journeysimprintthemselvesinseveralplacesonahumanbeing.Theyshowonpeoplesfacesbecausetopassfromoneplacetoanotheristopermitoneselftobephysicallytransformedandalteredinsomeway.Journeyswritethemselvesonpeoplesminds,expandingtheirhorizonsandtheknowledgeandexperienceapersoncarrieswithhim.Butaboveall,journeysalterthepathsthattravelerstake.Goingfromoneplacetoanother iswhatchangestheworld.Asidefrom leavingfootprints inthedusttomarkourpaths,theaccumulationofknowledgeandexperiencebringsusclosertogether.Theworldbecomessmaller,andwe,inturn,becomelarger.

Insomeways,Tajstitleforhispoemcontainsaredundancy.Aliminalspaceisaspace that exists as a portal to mark our transition from one place orconsciousnessaswe travel toanother. Inshort,anembassy isa liminalspace. Iwas reminded of this not long agowhen I foundmyself in a kind ofmythic,metaphoricalportal.

I had climbedDreamers Rock, a sacred place on theWhite FishNations landbetweenManitoulin Island and themainlandof the shoreofOntariosAlgomaregion.DreamersRock isa large,white,marblemountain,atopwhich isaskulllikedomed rock aCanadianequivalentofGolgotha (anotherportal from theWesternNewTestament tradition, thenameofwhichmeans hillof the skull)where life and death, here and now, and the experience of looking from oneworld into another is possible. The rockwas important to theOjibway peoplebecauseitwasaplacewheretheycouldgotodreamandfindthemselves.Onthecrestof the skull there isanatural indentation in the shapeofapronehumanfigure,andinthatsmallhollowthedreamerwouldlieonhisbackandstareintotheendlessnessofblue skyornight stars.Whatonedreamed therewasones

nameandonesspiritguide,thealterego identity intheformofananimalwhoalready lurked inside a persons soul butwhoneeded to be discovered by thedreamersohecouldbecomewhole.WhileIlaythere,alarge,blackbirdhoveredinthecloudlessskyaboveme,motionlessontheupdraftofawarmsummerday.Idiscovered that I was a raven a mythic figure in the Annishnaabe/Ojibwaytradition,apoetsoulwhowasable topassbetweenworldsandbearmessagesfromonetotheother.

Tobe liminal is tobe conversant in theexperiencesof twoplaces, tobear theknowledge fromoneplace to theother,and tocarrywithone theaccumulatedconsciousnessofmanyworlds.IlovethefactthatTaj,thepoet,hasinformedTajthearchitectastotheessentialnatureofanembassy.Theconceptofdiplomacymeans that a diplomat is one who is conversant in various experiences sometimes very disparate experiences and is able to exercise tact andunderstanding in a humane and compassionateway notmerely to bridge oneplaceandtheotherbutinorderfortwoworldstobecomeone.

Taj has realized that beyond the imposed definitions of nationality and theartificialconstructsofborders,weareall,ultimately,ofonenationthehumanrace and that our duty in life aswemove from one place to another, is toconvey themessage of our humanity to each other. And on a smaller,morepersonal scale, our lives are benchmarkedwith liminal experiences aswe passthroughthestagesthatdefinewhoandwhatweareatanypointintime.Intheprocess of living our lives a bit of helpful advice,wisdom, guidance, and goodthoughts,arewhatweusetocreatethemapsthathelpusonourjourneys.

Lookatthemapthatisbeforeyou.Rememberthatthisspacewasnothereonce,butnow that it is,now that ishasbeen imagined, crafted,andmade real, it isyours to use in your journey. Poets and architects make the possible fromnothing, and they both buildworldswherewe can live and grow together ashumanbeings.Theymakethejourneysofourlivespossibleandmoreaccessiblesothatwecancarryourknowledgewithustoothers.Passthroughtheportalandremember Taj, a poet, an architect, and above all a traveler in both body andspirit: tell thenewworldwhatyouhaveseen,whatyouhaveknown,andwhatyouhavelearnedsothatotherscangrowtoo.

BruceMeyer

Larchitecte des espaces liminaux

Lemtierde larchitecteet celuidupoteontunlment clen commun: ilscrent tous les deux du nant. Crer du nant, cest lun des fondements delHistoire; cestnotremaniredvolueren tantqutresquinepeuvent cesserdimaginerlepossibleetdetraduireenralitlesides.Larchitectervedecreret de raliser des espaces qui largissent les horizons de la conscience et delexpriencehumaines.Lepotervedenourrirnosespritsdides,dimagesetde paroles qui dpassent ce qui est familier la conscience et lexpriencehumaines,etdepartagersesralisationsenguisedesouvenirsorganisssouslaformedulangage.Etlolarchitectecherchedcloisonnerlespaceetenfaireunmondeensoi,lepoteessaiedepromouvoirlexistencedenouveauxmondes,ne ftce que pour permettre au lecteur ou lauditeur doser reconnatre lesmerveillesdesexpriencesnouvellesdsquellesseprsentent.Lunsoccupedelespace qui nous environne, alors que lautre soccupe de lespace qui noushabite.

CequimimpressionnedansluvredeH.MasudTaj,cestquilexerceenmmetemps lemtier de larchitecte et celui du pote, qui semblent pourtant auxantipodes. Le sien est lun des rares esprits qui rconcilie entre elles lesimpossibilitsetqui rendmerveilleusement compatibles lesopposs. Lorsquonma demand de rdiger cette introduction au pome affich sur le mur duconsulat canadien Bangalore, un pome que M.Taj a tant construitquimagin,jaihsitquelquepeu.Jeconnaislaposiepresquemieuxquejene

me connaismoimme,mais les lieux dans lesquels jeme trouve chaque jourminspirentrarementvoir lespacephysiquecommetantsans limites.Etvoiciquonminvitefranchirunseuil.

LepomeLAmbassadedesespaces liminauxreprsentelinscriptionsur lemurdeM.Taj.En tantqucrivain, je saisque lanotiondu liminal renvoieauseuilde lexprienceounepersonnesetrouveentre lemondede lexpriencedfinissableetconcrte,etune ralitsensorielplusvastequoiquabstraite.Unespace liminal, cest une zonede transition, un portail entre les connaissancesacquiseset lexpriencevenir.Uneambassadeestenplein lexpressiondeceparadoxe,decetteopposition.Uneambassadeouvrelaporteentredeuxpays.Etcest ici, sur lesmursdunespacediplomatiquedont la fonctionestdaider lesgenspasserdunlieulautre,quesetrouvelepomedeM.Taj.Soninscriptionsur lesmurs noncedesprincipesquidoiventnous guider, cestun testamentcalligraphi qui me fait songer aux inscriptions sur les murs des temples delAntiquitousurlesgrandsmonumentsciviques.

a me plat, lide que les murs parlent aux visiteurs. Le pome offre limaginaireduvoyageurunecarte,unesriedinstructionsverbales,quifaciliteleprocessus de transition inhrent tous les rites de passage. Quils soientpersonnels, juridiques ou internationaux, ces rites soulignent desmoments onotre situation change jamais. Que ce processus sappelle la croissance,lapprentissageou les formalitsdiplomatiques,quelque soit lenomquenous

donnons cette exprience, chose certaine, le fait dentreprendre un voyagenoustransforme,nousrendpeuttremeilleursetplussages.

Dans lun des plus anciens pomes piques arrivs jusqu nous, Lpope deGilgamesh,unroichaldenentreprendunvoyagehroqueafinderendrelavieson cher ami disparu Enkidu.Gilgamesh natteint pas son objectif dobtenir lafleursacrede limmortalitetde ressusciter lemort,mais ilsentau retourdesonlongpriplequilaprofondmentchang,quilestplussagepouravoirtentlexprience.Lesvoyagessimprimentsurplusieursaspectsdestreshumains.Ilstransparaissentsur lesvisagesdesgenscar,enpassantdun lieu lautre,nousnouspermettonsenquelque sortedtre transformsetmodifis. Les voyageslaissentunetracesur lespritdesgens,largissent leurshorizons,enrichissent lefondsde connaissancesetdexpriencesquunepersonneporteenellemme.Mais,avanttout,lesvoyagesontunimpactsurlecheminementduvoyageur.Lefaitdevoyagerdunlieulautretransformenotremonde.Nousnelaissonspasuniquement des empreintes qui tmoignent de notre passage sur le solpoussireux que nous avons foul.Nous accumulons des connaissances et desexpriences,nousnous rapprochons lesunsdesautres. Lemondedevientpluspetitet,paradoxalement,nousgrandissons.

Le titredupomedeM.Tajest redondantdune certainemanire.Un espaceliminal sert de portail quimarque notre transition dun lieu ou dune prise deconscience lautre en voyageant. Bref, une ambassade constitue un espaceliminal par dfinition. Il ny a pas longtemps, jeme suis rappel cette vritlorsquejemetrouvaisdevantuneespcedeportailmythiqueetmtaphorique.

JavaisgravileDreamersRock,unlieusacrsurleterritoiredelaPremirenationWhitefishRiverentrelleManitoulinetlactedelargionontariennedAlgoma.Le Dreamers Rock est une grandemontagne enmarbre blanc, dont le dmeressembleuncrnetailldansleroclquivalentcanadienduGolgothaouduCalvaire(unautreportaildansleNouveauTestamentdelatraditionoccidentale,unecollinedont lenomsignifiecrne),do lonpeutcontempler lavieet lamort, licietmaintenant,etconnatre lexpriencedevoirdunmonde lautre.Lerocheravaitde limportancepour laPremirenationOjibway,parceque lonpouvaitalleryrveretsedcouvrir.Ausommetducrne, laNatureacreus laformedunhommecouchsurledos.Lerveurgisaitdoncdanscepetitcreuxetbraquaitlesyeuxsurlinfiniducielbleuoudelanuittoile.Ilyrvaitsonnometsonguidespirituel,cetalteregoquilogedanslmedunepersonnesouslaformedun animal,mais que le rveur devait dcouvrir afin dtre un homme partentire.Pendantque jemytendais,ungrandoiseaunoiraplanaudessusdemoi,emportparuncourantdairsansbattredesailes,dans lecielsansnuagesdunechaude journedt.Jaiapprisalorsque jtaisuncorbeauune figuremythiquedanslatraditiondelaPremirenationAnishnaabeetOjibway,unemepotiquequipouvaitfranchirlafrontireentredeuxmondesettransmettreentreeuxdesmessages.

tre liminal, cest connatre lexprience de deux lieux, vhiculer cesconnaissancesdunlieulautreetporterensoimmelaconscienceaccumuledeplusieursmondes.JaimelefaitqueM.Taj,pote,ainformM.Taj,architecte,de la nature essentielle de lambassade. Lide de la diplomatie signifie quundiplomateconnatunevaritdexpriencesquisontparfois trsdiffrentes lesunesdesautres.Lediplomatefaitpreuvedetact,decomprhension,dhumanit

etdecompassion,non seulementpour jeterunpontentredeuxendroits,maispourrunirdeuxmondesenunseul.

M.Taj sest rendu comptedu faitque,endpitdesdfinitions imposesde lanationalitainsiquedes constructionsartificiellesdes frontires,nous sommestous,endernierressort,membresdugenrehumain.Aufildesvoyagesquenousfaisonsdunlieulautrependantlavie,nousdevonscommuniquerentrenouslemessage de notre humanit commune. Dans nos sphres personnelles pluslimites, des expriences liminaux jalonnent notre vie mesure que nousfranchissonslestapesquinousdfinissenttoutmoment.Aurythmedelavie,nousnousservonsdespetitsconseilsutiles,delasagesse,delinspirationetdelabienveillancedautruiquiorientent,commeunecarte,notrepriple.

Regardez cette carte qui se dploie devant vos yeux. Rappelezvous que cetespacenexistaitpasjadis.Maispuisquilexistedsormais,puisquonlaimagin,construit et ralis, vous pouvez vous en servir dans votre cheminement. Lespotesetarchitectescrentdunant lepossible. Ilsbtissenttous lesdeuxdesmondeshabitablesonouspouvonsgrandirensembleentantqutreshumains.Ilsrendentpossibleetplusfaciledaccslepripledelavie.Ilsnouspermettentdevhiculerennousmmesnosconnaissancesetdelestransmettreauxautres.En franchissantceportail,souvenezvousdeM.Taj,pote,architecteetsurtoutvoyageurausens littralet figuratif.Ditesaunouveaumondecequevousavezvu,connuetappris,afinquelesautresaussipuissentgrandir.

BruceMeyer

The Wayfarers Lines SomeThoughtsontheCalligraphyofEmbassyofLiminalSpaces.

Wayfarer.Sobeginsthelongpoem,EmbassyofLiminalSpaces,byH.MasudTaj;acalligraphicversionispermanentlyinstalledinthenewCanadianConsulateinBangalore.Tarryawhile,thepoetinvitesus:youandme,thereaderofthisbookandanyvisitortothebuildingwhomayhavecomeintomakesomeinquiriesabouttravellingtoCanada,togetavisa,signaform,orperformanyoftheordinary,butsometimeslifechangingactionsthatonedoesinsuchadministrativespaces.Wayfarer,Tajwrites,andWayfarer,hedraws.Inabroad,widearmedgesture,hespeaksasonewayfarertoanother,embracingthelinesofourcomingandgoing,whileatthesametimestrokingthemaway.

Tajisanoralpoet.Inperformance,theflow,tonalityandrhythmofthewordsandthegesturesofhishandsandbodydrawinvisiblelinesintheairthatbecomeanintegralpartofhispoems.Whilethatmovementoflinesislostwhenandifthepoemsareprinted,itisrecapturedandtransformedinthelinesofhispersonalizedcalligraphy.ThoughmentoredintheItalicHandbyMasterCalligrapherDavidHosbrough,Tajhasmovedon.Liftinghispenaftereachletter,hisisaquick,informalhandwithoutpretence.Thewordsareremarkablylegible,relativelyunadornedinthemselvesbutflourishingwithascendinganddescendinglines,whicharesometimesusedtoguidelinesorgroupsofwordsaroundthesurfaceofthepaper,incrisscrossingtrailsorsweepingarches.

Anunfamiliar,archaicwayofwritinginCanadaandtherestoftheWesternworld,calligraphyremainsavitalpartof Islamiccultureandart.TheplacementofTajspoemwithinapublicbuilding,harksbacktoan Islamictraditionaswell:thatofinscribingtextsonarchitecturesuchasIndiasprofuselyinscribedTajMahal.Yet,while calligrapher Tajs lively letters and sage words have their beginnings intradition, they haveuprooted andwandered a remarkabledistance away fromreceivedwisdomsanddogma,fromrules,regulationsandrituals.

Wayfarer,Tajcallsout,usingawordthatisasarchaicascalligraphyitself.Inthebook, Lines, A Brief History, renowned anthropologist Tim Ingold describeswayfaringasthread[ing]oneswaythroughtheworldratherthanrouteingfrompoint to point across its surface.1Like the lines of calligraphy, or any form ofcursive writing, the lines of the wayfarer have been straightened out inmodernity.Linesofwritinghavebeenlostthroughtheinventionofprinting;linesofwayfaringhavedisappearedinmoderntransportthatdeliversoneinastraightline frompointA topointB.Butalthoughmodernenvironmentshavebecomeassembliesofconnectedelements,Ingoldwritesthatpeoplecontinuetothreadtheirownwaysthroughtheseenvironments,tracingpathsastheygo.2Farfromanoutdatedwayofbeing,wayfaring,hebelieves,isthemostfundamentalmodeby which living beings, both human and nonhuman, inhabit the earth. ByhabitationIdonotmeantakingonesplaceinaworldthathasbeenpreparedinadvance for thepopulations thatarrive to reside there.The inhabitant is ratheronewho participates fromwithin in the very process of theworlds continualcoming intobeingandwho, in layinga trailof life,contributes to itsweaveand

1TimIngold,Lines,ABriefHistory(LondonandNewYork:Routledge2007)p.792Ibidp75

texture. These lines are typically winding and irregular, yet comprehensivelyentangledintoacloseknittissue.3

Tajs lines are a wayfarers lines. They bring awareness of wayfaring as afundamentalmodeofhabitation.Theydosowithin,ofallplaces,aConsulate,amodernbureaucraticplaceintentondetermininglimitsandborders,destinationsand identities.Tajswordsthrowacurveatstraightquestionsofname,address,occupation: What if thisplace, too, iselsewhereandyouare ...Hereand there?Imaginationbegins,body...Andminddisplaced,youask,WhoamI?

It is impossible to disentangle the calligraphy from thewordsof this profoundpoem; thedynamichanddrawn lines that flow, crosseachother, intermingle,push, pull, escape,walk away, get lost, return, entwine, embody thewayfarer.Tajs drawn lines show howwe are enmeshed in theworldwhile remaining inconstantmovement.4Within theConsulatessolid formsofacivilbuilding,Tajslines create a terrain vague of indeterminacy and uncertainty, an Embassy ofLiminalSpacesthatismorelikelytoreflectthedisorientedstateofthewayfarer,holding on to memories of one place while dreaming of another, than theadministrative officialdom of the building.5 Taj creates a sense of radical

3Ibidp814TheconceptofbeingenmeshedintheworldinatangleofconstantlychanginghumanandnonhumanrelationshipsisputforwardbyIngold(2007,ibidp.3)5Ontheconceptofterrainvaguesee:IgnasideSolMoralesRubi,TerrainVague,inCynthiaC.Davidson:Anyplace(118125)Seealso:http://landscapeandurbanism.blogspot.ca/2011/07/sourceterrainvaguedesolamorales.html

openness topossibilities for thewayfarer,a portal toan infinite land...that liesbeneathyourfeet.That infinite land is indicated by every single extended sweep of the pen thatbeginsinatangleoflettersandendspointedlyinanemptyspace,fullofpromise.Those trailsof life areour fate; Weareall in transit, as inescapably asnightfollows day, the poet writes, while he draws trails that trace leaves falling,mountains rising, lungs breathing, trees branchingthe intractableways of theworld. Yet, throughout the poem we find an insistence on agency andresponsibility,articulatedasmuch in thewords themselvesas it isexpressed in

thepowerfulstrokesofthepen.Willyougo,orwillyoustay?...Willyoustoptoread,orwillyoumoveon?Allofyou,whochosetostopandread,willberemindedthatitisyouwhogatherstogether spaces, times, histories andmemories from infinite possibilities. Tajscalligraphyshowstheenmeshedtrailsofyourlinesthatcontributetothefabricoflife.Theyarethewayfarers linesthatwindtheirway inandouttheknownandtheunknown,andhelptobringtheworldintobeing.PetraHalkes

Le trac du voyageur RflexionssurlacalligraphiedupomeLAmbassadedesespacesliminaux

Voyageur...TelestlepremiermotdulongpomeLAmbassadedesespacesliminauxdeH.MasudTaj,dontuneversioncalligraphiesafficheenpermanenceaunouveauconsulatcanadienBangalore.Demeurezunmomententrevotrevaetvient,nousinvitelepote:toietmoi,aulecteurdecelivreettoutvisiteurquipuisseentrerdanslimmeublepourserenseignerdanslintentiondefaireunvoyageauCanada,pourobtenirunvisa,poursignerunformulaire,pourposerlundesgestesquelonfaitdansuntelbureauadministratif,desgestesordinairesquipeuventtoutefoischangernotrevie.Voyageur,critM.Taj.Voyageur,noussollicitetil.Lesbrasgrandouverts,ilnousadressedesparolesquidmontrentquilestvoyageurluiaussi.Ilaccepteletracdenotrevaetvient,toutenleffaantdunedoucecaresse.

M.Tajestunpoteoral.Lorsquildclamehautevoixsespomes,lafluidit,latonalitetlerythmedesmots,ainsiquelagestuelledesesmainsetdesoncorps,tracentenlairdeslignesinvisiblesquifontpartieintgrantedesaposie.Letracdecesmouvementsseperdalorsquesespomessontimprims,maisletracdesacalligraphiepersonnellelesreprendetlestransforme.DavidHosbrough,matredecalligraphie,luiaapprislcritureitaliquemais,depuislors,M.Tajadveloppsonproprestyle.Lasienneestunecalligraphierapideetinformelle,sansprtention,danslaquelleilsoulveaprschaquelettresaplume.Lesparolessontremarquablementlisibles,relativementpeuornementescommetelles,maisagrmentesdefioritures,detraitsverslehautetverslebas,quiserventparfoisorienter,traverslasurfacedupapier,deslignesoudesgroupesdemotsquitranent,quisentrecroisentouquidcriventdegrandsarcs.

Au Canada et ailleurs dans lOccident, la calligraphie est une forme dcrituredsuteetpeuconnue,maiselledemeureunaspectfondamentaldelacultureetde lart islamiques. Laffichage du pome de M.Taj dans un btiment publicrenoue galement avec une tradition islamique, celle dorner larchitecture detextes calligraphis, dont le Taj Mahal en Inde, sur lequel on trouve desinscriptionsprofusion.Pourtant,mmesileslettresvivacesetlessagesparolesde M.Taj, calligraphe, puisent leurs racines dans la tradition, elles se sontdracines et transplantes unedistance remarquablede la sagesseetde ladoctrinereues,desrgles,desrglementsetdesrituels.

Wayfarer, nous interpelle M.Taj en langue anglaise, en adoptant pourvoyageurunmotaussiarchaquequelacalligraphieellemme.DanssonlivreintitulUnebrvehistoiredeslignes,lanthropologuerenommTimIngolddonneladfinitionsuivanteduvoyage:[traduction]traverserlemondecommedufildansuneaiguilleaulieudeparcourirdunpointlautresasurface.6lopposde la calligraphie ou de toute forme dcriture cursive, le trac du voyageurmoderneestenlignedroite.Letracdelcrituresestperdugrcelinventionde limprimerie; le tracduvoyageestdisparugrceaux transportsmodernes,quinousmnentenlignedroitedunpointlautre.MaisdaprsIngold,lolesespacesmodernessontdevenus[traduction]desassemblagesdlmentsrelisentreeux, lesgenscontinuentdese frayerunchemintraverscesespaces,en traant au fur et mesure des voies.7Ingold estime que, loin dtre unemanire de vivre archaque, le voyage [traduction] est le mode le plusfondamentalpar lequel lestresvivantshabitent laTerre,quilssoienthumains

6TimIngold,Unebrvehistoiredeslignes(LondresetNewYork:Routledge2007)p.797Ibid.,p.75

ou nonhumains. Pourmoi, habiter ne veut pas direprendre sa place dansunmonde prpar davance pour les populations qui viennent y rsider. Aucontraire,lhabitantestceluiquiparticipedemanireintimeauprocessusmmedudevenircontinueldumondeetqui,parlefildesaproprevie,contribuesonarmure et sa texture. Ces fils tracent typiquement des lignes sinueuses etirrgulires,etpourtantilssentrecroisentetformentensembleuntissuserr.8

Le trac deM.Taj est celui du voyageur. Il nous sensibilise au voyage commemode fondamentaldhabiter lemonde. Il le fait,tonnamment,dans lenceintedunconsulat,lieumodernedeformalitsadministratives,vouladfinitiondeslimites, frontires, destinations et identits. Les paroles deM.Taj donnent unsens nouveau aux questions habituelles concernant le nom, ladresse et laprofession:Etsicelieuaussitaitailleursetvoustiez/Icietl?Limaginationprendsonessor, lecorps/Et lespritdisloqus,vousvousdemandez:Quisuisje?Ilest impossiblede sparer la calligraphieet lesparolesde cepome lourddesens; les lignes dynamiques et fluides, traces la main, sentrecroisent,senlacent, tiraillent, repoussent, svadent, sloignent, seperdent, reviennent,relientet incorporent levoyageur.Les lignestracesparM.Tajdmontrentquenoussommesenracinsdanslemondetoutennousdplaantconstamment.9lintrieurdes formes solidesdubtimentpublicquest le consulat, le tracde

8Ibid.p.819Ingoldproposeleconceptdtreenracinsdanslemondeparunrseauderapportsquiexistententrelestreshumainsetnonhumainsetquisetransformentsanscesse(2007,ibid.,p.3).

M.Tajcreunterrainvaguedeflouetdincertitude,uneAmbassadedesespacesliminauxquireflte ltatdsorientduvoyageur,saccrochantausouvenirdunlieu tout en rvant dun autre, sans doute mieux que la nature officielle etadministrative de limmeuble.10 M.Taj voque le sentiment dune ouvertureradicale du voyageur aux possibilits, dun Portail vers un pays infini / Quistendsouslespieds.Cepaysinfinisevoitdanschaquetraittendudelaplumequipartdunnuddelettresetqui se terminedlibrmentdansunespace videetprometteur. Cetrac de la vie, cest notre destin: Nous sommes en route, aussiinluctablementquelanuitsuitlejour,critlepote,alorsquesacalligraphierappelle les feuillesqui tombent, lesmontagnesqui slvent, lespoumonsquirespirent, les arbres qui tendent leurs branches lvolution persistante dumonde.Etpourtant,toutaulongdupome,M.Tajmetlaccentsurlactionetlaresponsabilit,articulesaussibienparlesparolesellesmmesqueparlestraitsdynamiques de la plume. Estce que vous allez partir ou demeurer / Vousarrterezvouspourlireoureprendrezvouslechemin?

10Pourleconceptduterrainvague,voirIgnasideSolMoralesRubi,TerrainVague,chezCynthiaC.Davidson:Anyplace[Nimporteo](118125)Voirgalementhttp://landscapeandurbanism.blogspot.ca/2011/07/sourceterrainvaguedesolamorales.html

Vousquiavez choisidevousarrteretde lire,vousvous rappellerezque cestvousquirassemblezlesespaces,lestemps,leshistoiresetlessouvenirsdeparmiun nombre infini de possibilits. La calligraphie de M.Taj illustrelentrecroisementdevosfilsquiaidenttisserlatramedelavie.Voillesinueuxtracduvoyageurquipassepardesvoiesconnuesetinconnues,etquicontribueaudevenirdumonde.PetraHalkes

ii

EmbassyofLiminalSpacesWayfarer,tarryawhilebetweenyourcomingandgoing.Weareallintransit;evenwewhohereappeartobeForever,wearingsmilesortrulysmiling;howeverWearealsoonourwayjustasnightfollowsdayAnddaynight;wetoowillbeoutofsightandaway.Thisplaceisfinite,itsboundariesareclearPortaltoaninfinitelandThatliesbeneathyourfeetWhenyouentertheembassyofliminalspacesYoupassthroughthethresholdofpossibilities:thefiniteAndinfinite;thedoorthatspeaksinequalmeasureofPainofseparationandjoysofcomingtogether;AndcoincidenceofarrivalanddepartureInaconstancyofcomingandgoingBreathingofentrancesandexitsUnceasingliminalityflux.Whereareyounow?Whereareyouasyoureadthis?Yourbodyishere,yourthoughtselsewhere.Whatifthisplace,too,iselsewhereandyouareHereandthere?Imaginationbegins,bodyAndminddisplaced,youask,"WhoamI?"Who,indeed?YouaretheambassadorOftwoindividualsthatcametogetherToremainasguardiansofliminalspaces.

WhereyoustandmanyhavestoodbeforeOntheothersideofthedecimal.Theymovedoninnestedtenths;ValueincreasestenfoldasyoushifttotheleftRelocatingtofindyourselfinsuchsystems.Whatislostintheprocessoftranslation?YouaretheambassadorofyourmemoriesRecreatingthematnewsitesofreception.Seekingtotravelortradeyoustepintoatranslationzone.Reciprocalseeksoutitstheoremthatmakesittruea=bmeans"Alla'sareb'sandallb'sarea's";AntecedentandconsequentaresubjectandpredicateOfauniversalaffirmativeproposition.HencetheflagthatfluttersredandwhiteononesideFlutterssaffronwhiteandgreenontheotherWhiletheedgebetweenthetwotakesnosides.Onenationculminatesinsnowcappedmountains;Itssingularpeak,wherelastrayslinger,Proclaimsthefirsthintoftherisingsun.Anothernation,beginningwithsnow,reachestopOftheworldwithoutleavingtheground.NorthpolepresidesatzeroaltitudeSweepingcircumferenceswithsnowRadiatingboundaries;stakingprovinces.

EncirclingthetopoftheworldwhereglaciersmeltAndpolarbearslookaskanceattherecedingshoreline.WhilefarawayatopitsworldfromwhereriversdescendTigersturntheirheadsforalastglanceatforestcoverFastdisappearing.Wheredopolarbearsandtigersbelong?Wholongsforintactglaciersandunkemptforests?Whoyearnsforaltitudeofmountainsandlatitudeofpoles?Whopinesfordistantcircumferencesandthespinningcentre?MappinggeodesyacrosstheoceansThecalligraphyofconquestsTheportionsofearthsbountythatnationsproclaimThisspacebelongstothesoiloftwocontinentsWithextinctracesthatlefttheirtraces.ThisforeignislandisonnativesoilWhenyoustandhereyouareinaspacewarpYouareabroadhavingneverleftyourland.AllmomentsinlifeareliminalmomentsMappingnostalgiawithyearningsasthemirrorBounceslighttocatchupwithyourfaceOnlytotraceaprofilefromthepastThatlastsaslongasreflectionlasts.WhenyouappearattheembassythatinterfacesTwosystemsofbranching:branchingtreesoutsideLungswithin;chlorophyllgoblinsandhaemoglobins.

Youbreathein,breatheoutandthetreebreathesin.InthereciprocalbreathingoflungsandleavesInthewitheringoftheskinandthefallingofleavesInyourblushinginSpringandreddeningleavesinFallInrainsrustingofironandpulsationofoxidationIfcolorsbeeverchanging,Ifseasonsareeverinrotation,thenyouarrivehereOnlytodepartsothatyoumayreturnsomeday.Pray,whatisdestinybutnatureandnurtureIntandemquestioningfreewill?Willyougo,orwillyoustay?Willyoustoptoread,orwillyoumoveon?Whenyousay,Ido!DoyouheartheshufflingofgenesAwithTandGwithCorCwithGandTwithA?Therewerecountlesswaystobenotyou,butitwasyou.Everythingisinthepastanyway;LifeisatimelagandIseeyouasyouwereOnceuponatimesometimeago.WhereIseeyounowIshistory;youhavemovedonwhileIRemainbehindthecurveofyourrelocations.

ThestarsinthenightskyburntoutlongagoAfterlightyearsoftimelagtheyariseinoureyesWeseethempreciselywhentheynolongerlinger.Curtainfallsbetweeninsideandoutside,AscreendropstorevealtwoplaysShadowsatnight,ofyoumovinginsideShadowsbyday,oftreesoutsideLightisstill,youmove;treeisstill,lightmoves.Playcontinues:lookthroughglassatthedistanthorizonArcingbothearthandsky,whereallthatyouknowmeetsThecurvingunknown;evenasEarthspinsSunoutofsight.Reconciling1:2with2:3;onewheel,oneleafThetricolourswhitewithitswheeloflawNegotiatestwocoloursinitsquestfortruth,whileBicolourswhitesquarewithitsstencilframingBackgroundintoaleafthatisbothfigureandgroundFlutteringinbreezewhenallleaveshavefallen.WhilethewheelcontinuestoturnandinitsturningReflectsseasonspromiseofreturn.

Inkrisesinreed,adropoflimitlesspossibilitiesAlllettersinalllanguages,itcanexhaustdictionaries,ExhausthieroglyphicsandpictorialcharactersSqueezethelastdropofarchaiclinguafrancaBetweenascendingthereedanddescendingonpage.InkistheliminalofgravityandgraceLeavesatraceasitsinksintopaperTomapitsmeanderingsinspace.JustasyourepresentthecrossoverInthevalleybetweentwinhemispheresAcrossthesynapsesnoman'slandWithyournetworkofsimultaneoussparksThat,takentogether,say,"AsIwassaying..."BeforeyouentertheembassyofliminalspacesWayfarer,youentertheinterfacethattakesnosidesWithinsideoroutsideoranyside.Interfacesaretwosidesofthesamecoin.Thecoinitselfisofnovalue,valuesbothfaces.Themirrorisonlyasgoodasitmirrors,Withoutblemish,withoutselftodetractyoufromItstaskofdisappearancesothatyoumayappear.H.MasudTaj7March2013

LambassadedesespacesliminauxVoyageur,demeurezunmomententrevotrevaetvient.Noussommestousdepassage;mmenousquisemblonsternels,auxsouriresfeintsouvrais;cependant,Noussommesenroute,commelanuitsuitlejourEtlejour,lanuit;nousaussi,nousdisparatronsdansunlointaininconnu.

Celieuestfini,sesfrontiressontclairesPortailversunpaysinfiniQuistendsouslespieds.

QuandvousentrezdanslambassadedesespacesliminauxVousfranchissezleseuildespossibilits:lefiniEtlinfini;laportequiannonceaussibienLadouleurdesadieuxquelajoiedesretrouvailles;Laconcidencedesarrivesetdesdparts,

Danscevaetvientconstant,Quirespirelesentresetlessorties,Unfluxliminalincessant.

Otesvousmaintenant?Otesvousenlisantcesvers?Votrecorpsestici,vospensessontailleurs.EtsicelieuaussitaitailleursetvoustiezIcietl?Limaginationprendsonessor,lecorpsEtlespritdisloqus,vousvousdemandez:Quisuisje?Qui,eneffet?VousteslambassadeurDedeuxtresquisesontunisPourdemeurerlesgardiensdespacesliminaux.

Lovousvoustenez,dautressysonttenusauparavantDelautrectdelavirgule.Ilsontavanc,endiximesnichs;OndcuplesavaleurensedplaantverslagaucheSedplaantpourseretrouverdansdetelssystmes.

Questcequiseperdencoursdetraduction?Vousteslambassadeurdevossouvenirs,Quevousrecrezdenouveauxsitesderception.

Pourvoyageroufaireducommerce,vousentrezdansunezonedetraduction.LarciproquerecherchesonthormequilprouveAgaleBveutdireToutAestB,toutBestA;LantcdentetleconsquentsontlesujetetleprdicatDunepropositionaffirmativeuniverselle.

AinsiledrapeauflotterougeetblancdunctEtflottesafran,blancetvertdelautreTandisquelebordentrelesdeuxneserangedaucunct.Unpayssetermineenmontagnesenneiges;Sacrtesingulireosattardelecrpuscule,Dclarelestoutespremireslueursdusoleilquiselve.UnautrepaysstenddepuislaneigepouratteindreLesommetdumondesanssleverdusol.

LeplenordrgnelaltitudedezroEmbrassantlescirconfrencesdeneigeEtrayonnantdesfrontirespourdfinirlesprovinces.

Encerclantlesommetdumonde,osefondentlesglaciersEtlesourspolairesscrutentlarivequisloigne.Trsloin,ausommetdunmondepart,enamontdesfleuves,LestigresseretournentpourvoirunedernirefoislesfortsEnvoiededisparition.Olesourspolairesetlestigresontilsleurplace?Quialanostalgiedesglaciersviergesetdesfortssauvages?Quirvedelaltitudedesmontagnesetdelalatitudedesples?Quiregrettelescirconfrenceslointainesainsiquelaxequitourne?

DressantunecartedelagodsietraverslesocansLacalligraphiedesconqutesLesgnreuxbiensdelaterrequeproclamentlesnations,CetespacetientdusoldedeuxcontinentsOdanciennesracesontlaissleurstraces.

CetteletrangresesituedansunpaysconnuCelieucomblelevideentredeuxespacesVoustesltrangersansavoirquittvotrepays.

ChaqueinstantdelavieestunmomentliminalCaptantlanostalgieetledsir,commeunmiroirFaitjaillirunelumirequirejointvotrevisagePourdessinerunprofilquinexistedjplusNayantdurqueletempsdureflet.

Quandvousvousprsentezlambassade,linterfacestablitEntredeuxrseauxdebranches:cellesdesarbresdehorsCellesdespoumonsdedans;destrollsdechlorophylleetdesdrlesdhmoglobines.

Vousinspirez,vousexpirezetlarbrerespire.DanslarespirationrciproquedespoumonsetdesfeuillesDanslefltrissementdelapeauetlachutedesfeuillesDanstonrougissementauprintempsetceluidesfeuilleslautomneDanslarouilledufersouslapluieetlapulsationdeloxydation

Silescouleurschangentcontinuellement,Silessaisonsalternentsanscesse,vousnarriveziciQuepourrepartirafinderevenirunjour.

Dtes,quelestledestinsinonlanatureetlacultureMettantenquestionlelibrearbitre?EstcequevousallezpartiroudemeurerVousarrterezvouspourlireoureprendrezvouslechemin?QuandvousvousmariezendisantOui,jeleveuxEntendezvouslesgnesquisebrassentAavecTetGavecCouCavecGetTavecA?Dinnombrablesfaons,dtresanstrevousmmemais,ctaitvous.

Dailleurs,toutestchosedupass;LavieestundcalageetjevousvoiscommevoustiezIlyavaitunefois,ilyabellelurette.OjevousvoismaintenantCestlhistoire:vousavezfaitduchemin,tandisquejeDemeurederrirelacourbedetesdplacements.LestoilesdanslanuitsesontdepuislongtempsteintesAvecundcalagedanneslumire,ellessurgissentdansnosyeuxNouslesvoyonsprcismentloellesnesattardentplus.

Lerideautombeentrelintrieuretlextrieur,Derrirecettecloison,deuxdramessejouentLanuit,lombredevosmouvementslintrieurLejour,lombredesarbreslextrieurLalumireresteimmobile,vousvousdplacez;larbredemeureimmobile,lalumiresedplace.

Ledramesepoursuit:regardezlhorizonlointaindansuneloupeQuitracelarcducieletdelaterre,unecourbeauxlimitesDuconnuetdelinconnu,commelarvolutiondelaTerrenouscachelesoleil.

Deuxrapportsrconcilier,de1:2etde2:3uneroue,unefeuilleLeblancdutricoloreavecsarouedudroitquilibredeuxcouleursenqutedevrit,tandisqueLecarrblancdubicoloreencadrecommeunpatronEtformelarrireplandunefeuille,figureetfond,

Quiflottedansleventquandtouteslesfeuillessontmortes,TandisquelarouecontinuedetourneretsarvolutionRefltelapromesseduretourdessaisons.Lencremontedansleroseau,unegouttedepossibilitssanslimitesDetoutesleslettresdetoutesleslangues,ellepeutpuiserlesdictionnaires,puiserleshiroglyphesetlespictogrammesExtraireladerniregouttedunelinguafrancaarchaqueEntrelamonteduroseauetsadescentesurlapage.

LencreestleseuilquihsiteentrelagravitetlagrcePntrantlepapieretylaissantunetracePourcirconscriresonvaetvienttraverslespace.ToutcommevousreprsentezlatraverseDelavalleentredeuxhmisphresjumeauxAtraverslaterredisputedessynapsesAvecvotrerseaudtincellessimultanesQuisejoignentpourdireCommejedisais

AvantdentrerdanslambassadedesespacesliminauxVoyageur,vousentrezdanslinterfacequineserangedaucunctDelintrieurdelextrieurnidequelquectquecesoit.Lesinterfacessontlesdeuxreversdelammemdaille.Lamdailleellemmesansvaleur,donneunevaleurauxdeuxcts.Lemiroirnevautquelaqualitdesonreflet,Sanstache,sansgosmepourvousdistraireDesatchededisparatrepourvousfaireparatre.H.MasudTaj7mars2013TraductionfranaiseparMAECIetDr.RoseannOReillyRunte

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7 2013

TranslatedintoHindibyRajivTrivedi.

iii

Acknowledgment

ThankstoDFATD:NicoleColombeEmondforinitiatingthisprojectandforseeingitthroughalongwithSamCox,andLucasMichelforthebooklayout;tomyextendedfamily;toBruceandGuySimserfortheirfeedback;BruceMeyerandPetraHalkesfortheiressays;DFAITandRoseannOReillyRunteandRajivTrivedifortheirdedicatedtranslationsoftheEmbassyofLiminalSpaces.

Youareallambassadorsofpoetry.

HMasudTaj

Dr.PetraHalkes,isanartist,independentcuratorandartcritic.Shehaswrittenmanycatalogueessaysandreviews.SheistheauthorofAspiringtotheLandscape,OnPaintingandtheSubjectofNature(UniversityofTorontoPress,2006).In2006sheinitiatedRIA(ResearchinArt)withherhusbandRenPriceinOttawa.

Dr.BruceMeyerisprofessorofEnglishatGeorgianCollegewhereheteachesintheLaurentianUniversityBAProgram,atVictoriaCollegeintheUniversityofToronto,andSt.Michael'sCollegeintheUniversityofToronto.Heisauthorofthirtyninebooksincludingthenationalbestseller,TheGoldenThread.HelivesinBarrie,OntarioasitsinauguralPoetLaureate.

Dr.RoseannOReillyRunteisPresidentofCarletonUniversity,ascholarandpoetwhoseworkreceivedanawardfromtheFrenchAcademyinParis.RoseannOReillyRunte,prsidentedelUniversitCarletonestgalementprofesseureetpotedontloeuvreareuleprixdeposiedelAcadmieFranaise.Dr.RajivTrivedihasbeenengagedwithliterature,musicandtheaterwithadozenofhisHindiplaysbroadcastonAllIndiaRadio.Afterretirementfromactiveteaching,hedevoteshimselftoactivitiesofappreciation,documentationandconservationofartisticpractices.

RemerciementsMerciauMAECDNicoleColombeEmondpouravoiriniticeprojetetlavoirmenbienavecSamCox,etLucasMichelpourlamiseenpageduvolume;mafamillelargie;BruceetGuySimserpourleurscommentaires;BruceMeyeretPetraHalkespourleursessais;auMAECDetRoseannOReillyRunteetRajivTrivedipourleurstraductionsinspiresdeLAmbassadedesespacesliminaux.

Voustestousdesambassadeursdelaposie.

HMasudTaj

MmePetraHalkesestuneartiste,unecommissaireindpendanteetunecritiquedart.Elleardigdenombreuxcomptesrendusetessaisdecatalogue.ElleestlauteuredeAspiringtotheLandscape:OnPaintingandtheSubjectofNature(UniversityofTorontoPress,2006).En2006,ellealancRIA(ResearchinArt)avecsonmariRenPriceOttawa.

M.BruceMeyerestprofesseurdanglaisauGeorgianCollegeoilenseignedansleprogrammedebaccalauratdelUniversitLaurentienne,auVictoriaCollegeetauSt.Michael'sCollegedelUniversitdeToronto.Ilestlauteurdetrenteneufouvrages,dontlebestsellernationalTheGoldenThread.IlvitBarrie,enOntario,dontilestlepremierpoteofficiel.

MmeRoseannOReillyRunte,prsidentedelUniversitCarleton,estgalementprofesseureetpote.SonuvreareuleprixdeposiedelAcadmieFranaise.M.RajivTrivedipratiquelalittrature,lamusiqueetlethtre,plusdunedizainedesespicesenlanguehindiayanttdiffusessurAllIndiaRadio.Ayantprissaretraitedelenseignement,ilconsacresontempsdesactivitsdecomprhension,dedocumentationetdeconservationdepratiquesartistiques.

iv

Installation

WhenIwasshownthelayoutofthenewCanadianConsulateinBangalore,InoticedthattwopartsoftheConsulatewereconnectedbyanarrowcurvedspacedefinedbysunfacingglassfacadeononesideandthewallofaconferenceroomontheother.IhadfoundjusttheliminalspacetoinstallTheEmbassyofLiminalSpaces,inscribedonglasspanelssuspendedinfrontoftheglassfacade:segmentsofasweepingarcwhosecentrecouldimaginativelyhavebeenthesun.

Thesuspendedpanelswiththeirselectionofversesfromthepoemarelikeanarchitecturalsectionthatcutsthroughabuilding:interrelatedfragmentsencapsulatingthewhole.

Sections,betheyarchitecturalortextual,aremicrocosms.Theearthturnsonitsaxis;thesunarcsinthesky;calligraphicshadowsshiftintheliminalgallery,fallingonitswall,fleetinglyinscribingyou:asyoumovealongthecurve,inadvertently

circumambulatinganelusivecentre.Ifyoustoptotakeinthevieworlookatthepoemyoufindyourselflookingoutataworldsuperimposedwithcalligraphicsilhouettes.Whenyoureadthepoem,youreadtheworld.

Thefifteensuspendedpanelsbeginwiththetitleofthepoem,youthenmoveinacounterclockwisedirectionalongthearcofthefacade,readingthesuspendedversestillyoureachthelastpanelthatendswiththecalligraphicsignatureofthearchitectpoetcalligrapherinaclockwiseswirl.

Ithasbeenanhonourtodwellinandinbetweentwogreatnations,composethepoem,renderitincalligraphicstrokesandconceivetheinstallationoftheEmbassyofLiminalSpaces.

H.MasudTaj

Ottawa2014

Installation

LorsquonmaprsentleplandunouveauconsulatduCanadaBangalore,jairemarququedeuxpartiesdubtimenttaientreliesparuntroitespaceincurvdlimitparunefaadedeverreorienteverslesoleildunctetlemurdunesalledeconfrencedelautre.JevenaisdetrouverlespaceliminalpourinstallerLAmbassadedesespacesliminaux,inscritesurdespanneauxdeverresuspendusdevantlafaadedeverre,commelessegmentsdunarcmonumentaldontlecentrefigureraitlesoleil.

Lespanneauxsuspendus,avecleurschoixdeverstirsdupome,sontcommeunesectionarchitecturaletraversantlebtiment:desfragmentsinterrelisenveloppantlensemble.

Lessections,quellessoientarchitecturalesoutextuelles,sontdesmicrocosmes.LaTerretourneautourdesonaxe;lesoleildcritunarcdansleciel;desombrescalligraphiquesvoluentdanslagalerieliminale,glissantsurlesmurs,laissantennousuneimpressionfugacemesurequenousnousmouvonslelongdelacourbe,contournantparinadvertanceuncentreinsaisissable.Sinousnous

arrtonspouradmirerlavueouexaminerlepome,nousavonslimpressiondecontemplerunmondesurlequelsesuperposentdessilhouettescalligraphiques.Quandnouslisonslepome,nouslisonslemonde.

Surlepremierdesquinzepanneauxsuspendusestgravletitredupome,puis,dansuntourbillonantihoraire,flottentlesautresversjusquaudernierpanneauquiportelasignaturecalligraphiquedelarchitectepotecalligraphe.

Cefutunhonneurdhabiterdansdeuxgrandspaysetentrelesdeux,decomposerlepome,deletraduireentouchescalligraphiquesetdeconcevoirlinstallationdeLAmbassadedesespacesliminaux.

H.MasudTaj

Ottawa2014