Open AccessTHE MAIN TRENDS OF AESTHETICAL MODERNIZATION OF CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS IMAGES IN EUROPE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 21ST CENTURY
Author(s) -
V. V. Barashkov,
Nikolay Stoletovs
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
religiovedenie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2712-7575
pISSN - 2072-8662
DOI - 10.22250/2072-8662.2018.2.122-130
Subject(s) - interpretation (philosophy) , heaven , contemporary art , theme (computing) , viola , modernization theory , space (punctuation) , irony , christianity , sincerity , christian art , art , idolatry , aesthetics , christian tradition , art history , philosophy , literature , theology , violin , law , performance art , political science , linguistics , computer science , operating system
The article deals with the problem of dialogue between the church and contemporary art in Europe on the example of art installations in church space. The author analyses works of three contemporary artists: Christian Boltanski (“Na” - Old church in Amsterdam, 2017-2018), Bill Viola (“Martyrs”, 2014-, and “Mary”, 2016-, St. Paul Cathedral in London) and Stefan Knor (“Himmelwerd’s”, Cathedral in Bamberg, Germany, 2012). Christian Boltanski uses the fundamental theme of human obliteration for his art, strengthened by the space of the cathedral, functioned a long time as a crypt. Bill Viola gives a new interpretation of traditional Christian images of martyrs and Holy Virgin. The technique of video-art makes images dynamic, so spectator can “live” in that space. Stefan Knor aims by the means of contemporary art to actualize the fundamental theological ideas, for example, the idea of stairway to heaven. For the best acceptance of his works he collaborates with church members. The author claims that these artists become the religious owing to such characteristics as depth and sincerity in the interpretation of fundamental anthropological problems and the absence of irony (which is frequent for contemporary art). The article’s author shows that the interiors of the churches can harmoniously accept the works of contemporary artists, provided that the artists have to respect the religious traditions and sacred space of these churches.