Exploring the Atmosphere Inside a Liturgical Laboratory

Abstract

This article does two interconnected things. Firstly, it explores what sort of theoretical concept of atmosphere emerges when studying the considerations and challenges involved in establishing and managing the atmosphere inside a Night Church in Copenhagen. What emerges is a re-conceptualization of atmosphere as atmosphering; that is, as a practice embodied and carried out by agents. Secondly, with the concept of atmosphere as atmosphering at hand, it examines how—according to the Night Church—the atmosphere is supposed to be practiced in order to ensure that it feels the right way. The article demonstrates how making it feel right revolves around a balancing act between being in a church but not being in a traditional church. This is further evidenced by the employment of coherence-making strategies tasked to remove practices that tip the balance and alter the atmosphere.