journal d'une transition

1313

. The 4 pillars and the first slab of the sphere are completed on November 17, 1973, at the exact moment when the Mother’s physical heart stops beating.

- Part Two.

. From the late 70s to the late 80s, Roger A is absent from Auroville and Piero is sole in charge of the construction of the Matrimandir.

. In the late 80s, as the triangular beam structure for the double shell of the Matrimandir nears completion, it is agreed to invite Roger A and seek his collaboration in designing both the double shell of the sphere and its immediate environment. . At the time many Aurovilians, including a number of the Matrimandir Workers, object to Roger A’s design of a golden shell surrounded by 12 huge Petals with their underground rooms, finding it artificial, showy, impractical and unnecessary, and requiring too much money and time and, later, maintenance. However no convincing comprehensive alternative is available. (Paolo only prepared one model of the completed sphere with a simple cladding of white triangular marble panels.) . Roger A presents to the community his modified design: instead of the original pattern, the golden discs now follow the structural pattern of the triangular grid; the 12 petals are reduced in height; there is some greenery around them as grass replaces the red tiles he had earlier wanted.

. In a large community meeting late 1987, through a raised hands vote, Roger A’s new design is accepted despite considerable objections.

. Subsequently an attempt is made to encourage active collaboration between Piero and Roger A. Eventually Piero withdraws and decides to concentrate his energies on completing the Inner Room under Paolo’s guidance.

. The execution of Roger A’s designs requires years of study and research as there is no feasibility report from him; outside engineers and consultants are called in.

; Roger A himself calls in various teams of Aurovilians to execute the discs, the inner skin panels, the Petals; the techniques chosen by him end up proving non durable and unsafe and several lines of experiment and of production must be abandoned. . In the face of this a mounting opposition is expressed throughout Auroville and many people ask that another design is found at least for the completed sphere, which must be simpler and free from the use of unsafe materials. . Through further research done by M.B abroad and here on site a new technique is finally developed, tested and found acceptable for the fabrication of the golden discs – despite Roger A’s claims that everything was fine. (Continued research is still being pursued for the creation of the inner skin panels.)