hmmm i think theres value in the ending, i see it as "the simple resolution offered by the temple/gate is an illusion", instead, the true accomplishment is accepting the quest is endless, life-long, never over, which is represented by being a self-questioning statue ^^ admittedly this doesnt feel very emancipatory but at least it makes a lot of sense to me.
Is the big project this is a vertical slice of the same one from the observer or is it a different project?