The Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan is showcasing "Notre Dame de Paris: Augmented Exhibition," revisiting the iconic cathedral's 850-year history through innovative augmented reality. This exhibition coincidentally opened as Notre Dame itself recently celebrated its reopening after extensive restoration efforts, marking the recovery of both structures, each serving as emblematic Gothic architecture.
The exhibition, running through January 2024, is organized by Histovery, a French tech startup aimed at enriching the visitor experience by merging historical narratives with cutting-edge technology. Patrick Malloy, dean of St. John's, highlighted the relationship shared between Notre Dame Cathedral and St. John the Divine, stating, "The two monuments have a kinship as two of the world’s most renowned Gothic cathedrals." This connection is particularly poignant considering both cathedrals were significantly damaged by fire.
Following the devastating blaze at Notre Dame on April 15, 2019, which destroyed its spire and the historic wooden roof, restoration efforts have exceeded 700 million euros, working to preserve the integrity of this world-famous landmark. The cathedral officially reopened to the public on December 8, 2023, having restored most of its treasured relics now displayed for visitors.
While the restoration has prompted celebratory exhibitions and visibility, it has also ignited contentious debates surrounding plans to modernize certain elements of Notre Dame's architecture. President Emmanuel Macron proposed introducing contemporary stained glass windows by French artist Claire Tabouret, which has sparked widespread protest among heritage advocates. Sites & Monuments, the organization opposing this move, argues against replacing the stained glass windows installed by 19th-century architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, stating these windows, undamaged by the fire, play a pivotal role in the cathedral's historical integrity.
Didier Rickner, the art historian leading the charge against the replacement, has gathered extensive public support for maintaining the original stained glass windows. A petition initiated by Rickner has already garnered 245,000 signatures, reflecting the public's desire to protect cultural heritage. He stated, "Replacing the stained glass windows contradicts the legislation on the protection of world cultural heritage sites," illuminating the legal stakes involved.
The recent developments around Notre Dame raise significant questions about how to balance cultural preservation with contemporary artistic expression. The approach to the cathedral's restoration not only reflects the architectural wealth of France but also how societies negotiate their histories within modern contexts.
Visitors to St. John’s can engage with Notre Dame’s narrative through the augmented exhibition, embodying the rich, layered stories behind its architecture. Through the technology employed, guests encounter the stories, artwork, and sanctity of Notre Dame as it was once known, juxtaposed against modern restorations and debates raging around it. While St. John the Divine provides space to relook at its story, the exhibition serves as both homage and form of contemporary dialogue surrounding Notre Dame.
With the restoration of Notre Dame now complete, it stands not only as a monumental achievement of architectural recovery but also as a flashpoint for conversations about cultural identity, heritage preservation, and the future of historical landmarks. The juxtaposition of returning to its roots versus adapting to modern aesthetics sparks debate about what it means to be custodians of historical narratives.