The Brief

Comissioned by Artichoke and The Space in collaboration with CultureTECH, Templecraft was a innovative digital arts project inspired by a monumental real –world construction.  Using Minecraft, artist Adam Clarke, BlockWorks and Sparks built a digital reconstruction of David Best’s Temple, replicating its startling architecture and intricate internal spaces.

The Build

Mapped onto a representation of the city of Derry-Londonderry, this extraordinary digital artwork created the impression of a ‘Temple’ high on a hill, towering over the city below.  Minecraft players were then invited to explore the structure online, and leave their own messages, mementos or objects inside its walls, before it too was ceremonially ‘burned’ online on Saturday 21st March.  Nothing was left behind.

The Result

This was an opportunity for the world-wide Minecraft community to experience and participate in a major temporary art work, and for new users of the software to explore a beautiful digital landscape.

400 Minecraft players from over 30 different countries joined together to witness the event.

Throughout the week, hundreds of personal mementos, stories and messages were created and left inside our Minecraft temple.