A contemporary church window was created for St. John’s parish in Emden, which translates the biblical verse “I am the light of the world” (John 12:46) into an abstract, color-intensive visual language. The artistic idea was to take the clear spatial language of the architecture and transform it into glass – creating a spatial work of art that combines architecture, symbolism and light.
The result is an expressive work of spatial art that blends harmoniously into the existing church architecture and at the same time sets new visual impulses. It combines the central Christian symbols of light and water – both essential signs of baptism – and unfolds its effect in interaction with the daylight and the liturgical use of the room.
The color concept is based on the spectrum of visible light: violet, blue, green, yellow, orange and red stand for diversity, vitality and divine presence. Bubble-like shapes are reminiscent of soap bubbles and refer to the element of water – poetic, light and at the same time deeply rooted in the baptism ritual. At the same time, horizontal structures refer to the clear lines of the room.
Process
From sketches to production
The window was made using traditional stained glass: Areas of color were applied with brushes and tassels and fine-tuned using airbrush technology, then baked at a high temperature. The design is on two levels – transparent and opal glass areas create a multi-layered interplay of light, depth and perspective. A sandblasted back layer enhances the depth of color, adds fine structures to the work and creates a lively play of colors.
For the technical implementation, the designed glass was processed into toughened safety glass (ESG) after baking and then installed as insulating glazing. The window thus combines design quality with functional requirements for safety, thermal insulation and durability.
An expressive church window has been created that enters into a relationship with the space – it brings color, light and movement into the architecture and opens up space for spiritual and personal resonance.
