MY OWN CATHEDRAL
Storytelling
Project Description
"My Own Cathedral" is a deeply reflective project that merges personal introspection with the creative power of artificial intelligence. This project is inspired by the metaphor of cathedral builders—anonymous individuals who devoted their lives to constructing monumental works of art, often without seeing the final result or receiving any recognition. The project uses AI to explore the idea of building one's personal "cathedral"—a metaphor for the life we create through our actions, sacrifices, and unseen efforts.
The story comes from a conference where Nicole Johnson shares how she felt invisible until a friend gave her a book about European cathedrals. In it, she discovered that many of these monumental works were built by anonymous hands—often labeled simply as “Builder Unknown.”
One story tells of a craftsman carving a tiny bird hidden in a roof beam. When asked why he spent time on something no one would see, he replied: “Because God sees.” These builders devoted their lives to something they’d never see completed, making daily sacrifices without recognition, driven by faith and purpose.
Johnson reflects on how such dedication is rare today—how few are willing to give so much without expecting credit—yet it's this quiet, unseen work that builds the most lasting and meaningful legacies.
The concept is inspired by the story of Nicole Johnson, who felt invisible until a friend gifted her a book about European cathedrals. She learned that many of these masterpieces were built over lifetimes by unknown hands—a realization that became a powerful metaphor: we all contribute to something greater, even if our efforts go unrecognized, and the true impact of our work may only be seen long after we're gone.
“My Own Cathedral” is a digital exploration of this idea, using AI to generate a cathedral that appears both complete and under construction. The structure is visually deconstructed into pixels, symbolizing how our lives—like the cathedral—are built day by day, shaped continuously by small, seemingly invisible actions.
Process and Elements:
AI-Generated Imagery: The project begins with the creation of a cathedral using AI, based on a detailed description of the envisioned structure. The AI's interpretation mirrors the creator's vision, emphasizing the collaborative potential between human creativity and artificial intelligence.
Pixel Decomposition: The cathedral image is then broken down into pixels, symbolizing the ongoing nature of life's construction. This decomposition reflects the idea that, like the builders of the great cathedrals, our work is never truly finished—it evolves over time.
Logo Creation:
A logo is designed to encapsulate this concept, representing the idea of a cathedral still in the process of being built, a visual metaphor for the journey of life.
Objective:
The goal of “My Own Cathedral” is to inspire reflection on the unseen efforts that shape our lives. By combining AI and human creativity, the project emphasizes the significance of small actions and how they contribute to something greater. It invites viewers to consider the “cathedral” they are building through their own lives and to recognize the worth of their contributions—whether visible or not.