Kaos Temple: Abandoned Century-Old Spanish Church Gets Unusual Skate Park Makeover
The Santa Barbara church located in Llanera, Asturias, Spain has long been left to rot. But a group of skaters led by Ernesto Fernandez Rey created the Church Brigade Collective and bought the massive structure to turn it into something purposeful once again.
The abandoned place of worship was built in 1912 and its blueprint was penned by Spanish architect Manuel del Busto. La Iglesia de Santa Bárbara en Llanera sits in Asturias which is widely associated with pragmatism and dairy cows. It has been standing on the site for more than 100 years but, sadly, it was neglected for more than four decades following the Spanish civil war in late 1930s.
In 2007, Fernandez acquired the once sacred building from a private agency. On the decision to purchase the church, the skateboarding enthusiast and entrepreneur told Latino Fox News, "After the 70s, the church was abandoned, I passed by it and felt sad when I saw it in those circumstances, a space unused. I wanted to rescue it and give it a use, and the first thing that came to mind was a skateboard ramp."
With what he had in mind, the 36-year-old skater and his friends worked to convert the crumbling structure into one of the world's most extraordinary public skateboarding park. The building was overhauled and fitted with ramps but its walls remained bare.
When street artist Okuda San Miguel came across the La Iglesia Skate Facebook page, he immediately became interested and thought of a way to contact the Church Brigade. Through a mutual friend, he was introduced to the group and they started the discussion on enlivening the church's interior with murals.
But San Miguel needed funds to carry out the project so a crowd funding was launched via Verkami. Aside from the drive, the artist was able to secure sponsorship from companies including Red Bull, Miller Division, Montana Colors and Socketines.
After obtaining the needed funds, the park was named "Kaos Temple." The artist and his group, Ink and Movement, proceeded to work. They have no prepared sketch when they arrived on the first day but the artist had an idea -- he would paint his "Kaos Star" on the walls. The emblem is a colorful asymmetric wind rose and this was how the park was named as well.
"Kaos Temple does not have a negative meaning but the most positive meaning from the word ‘Kaos.' It comes from one of my icons called Kaos Star, an asymmetric star of cardinal points-opposite way and opposite meaning. It comes to say it doesn't matter where or when you stay, just focus on your goals and believe in your passion. It speaks about freedom, love, and art," San Miguel explained to LFN.
Okuda with three of his assistants namely Antonyo Marest, MisterPiro and Pablo Hatt completed the painting in mere seven days. Now, the place exhibits vivid interior blanketed with spell-binding artwork.
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