A temple (from the Latin word templum) is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A ‘’templum’’ constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest. It has the same root as the word “ template,’’ a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out on the ground by the augur, but also to a sacred structure since it was believed that the gods resided in houses.[1]
Templum is also the title of Jimmie Durham Installation at Fondazione Volume! in Rome, until the 12th july 2007.

Few raw elements constitute an imagery diagram and - at the same time - mark the enviroment for a contemporary sacrifice. An ancient practise to make sacred our living time. You start from the first reading room where you could seat in silence or read a newspaper. A long wood table with some daily rests and a suitcase in between the gallery’ spaces leads you to a signed tree marked “templum”. Other signes indicates the presence of the living bodies which are coming together in a right now sacrifice. Mirth, Laurus nobilis leaves, marble and merry bones. Sacred rubbish.

Sacrificio is identical with the English offering (Latin offerre) and the German Opfer; the latter is derived, not from offerre, but from operari (Old High German opfâron; Middle High German opperu, opparôn), and thus means to offer sacrifice“.
Durham offers leaves, antlers and several total bins filled with things or simply water where to contemplate inside us. A mirror of present time. And suddendly everything becomes petrol.

The world is polluted with Total time . Last room is the innerer and hidden space. A wood table at the center of the white room and a wood house construction on top. A (double) closed space with no windows. The inhabitat is hidden inside the visual space. The inhabitant is infact yourself. And the templum is the oblation of your sight. (IV 2007)

Jimmie Durham, a Wolf Clan Cherokee, was born in Arkansas. He received a B.F.A. from the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Geneva, Switzerland in 1973. He was the founder member and executive director of the International Indian Treaty Council.