Spirituality and the Cycle of Life in Art

Transcription

1 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.2 Spirituality and Art Spirituality and the Cycle of Life in Art Works of art inspired by beliefs expressing things unseen Spirituality Our sense of being connected to others, our awareness of mind and body, and the desire to understand the meaning of life and the world Broad categories of spiritual art Images referring to specific deities or to the spirits of the natural or ancestral world Refer to or communication with the spiritual world Places that have sacred character Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

2 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.2 Spirituality and Art Art and Spirituality - Deities Stories of religious figures or deities Explain their importance Make them more accessible and memorable Can be used to teach morals/values of the community Many different religions depict divine figures, some so not allow it Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

3 Native American Thunderbird God who represents power and strength. Movement of the wings cause thunder/storms. Across cultural boundaries from the Pacific Northwest through the Plains and American Southwest

4 Hildesheim Doors depicting scenes from Genesis and the Life of Christ, commissioned by Bishop Bernward for the Abbey Church of St. Michael s, Diagram with identification of panels

5 Detail of Hildesheim Doors: Expulsion from the Garden of Eden

6 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.2 Spirituality and Art Hildesheim Doors depicting scenes from Genesis and the Life of Christ Scenes from the Old and New Testaments Organized to make direct connections between the two Left doors: scenes from the Book of Genesis Start at the top and go down Right doors: scenes from the Life of Christ Start at the bottom and go up Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

7 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.2 Spirituality and Art Spiritual Beings and Ancestors Art objects are infused with spiritual presence Preserved through cultural practices and family ties Contemporary artists will often refer back to traditional art, customs, and rituals Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

8 Mother-and-child figure Senufo culture, West Africa Religion centers on a creator deity, nature spirits, and ancestral spirits including a female spirit: Earth mother Used to guide the community s men, who were responsible for maintaining religious and historical traditions Mother-andchild figure, late 19 th mid-20 th century. Wood, 25 high. Venus of Willendorf 22,000-24,000 BCE Fertility votive Austria

9 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.2 Spirituality and Art Connecting with the Gods Intermediaries between people and deities Rulers Act as role models Educate viewers about religious practices Interact directly with the divine on behalf of their people Favor of the gods shows that they are blessed, and worthy of their leadership role Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

10 Seti I with Osiris and Horus 1290 BCE Here Seti is equal among the gods, an actual god himself

11 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.2 Spirituality and Art Sacred Places Sacred places restore a person s soul Can be individual or communal Allow us to feel connected and at peace Some artists and architects mark sacred places Places of personal retreat Communal worship Connected to nature, religion, or community Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

12 Rothko Chapel, , Menil Collection, Houston, Texas

13 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.2 Spirituality and Art Mark Rothko Rothko Chapel Houston, Texas Painted with intense colors to inspire contemplation He wanted to create an environment to transport viewers Rothko Chapel Designed in collaboration with a team of architects Sought to create a universal space that is spiritual in nature, but free from religious connections Watch this and see what you think.. Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

14 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.2 Spirituality and Art Art and Spirituality as Personal Vision Sometimes artists express the spiritual in a personal way using their own vision to portray spiritual ideas. The pre-historic artist may have been working for himself and/or a small tribe or family group where his message is personal or specifically meaningful to his clan. For the 19 th to date artist, personal expression is given full freedom to expand to include personal vision and truths-not just those deemed by society, religion or ruling power. PowerPoints developed by CreativeMyndz Multimedia Studios

15 Wasily Kandinsky The Fugue 1914 Wasily Kandinsky in 1911 wrote the his book, Concerning the Spiritual in Art. Music, harmony, feeling then transcendence Non representational is boiled down to its purest elements and the non-material or nonrepresentaional lets message of the inner soul to be delivered and shared

16 William Blake English Romantic Age visionary, poet, illustrator The Ancient of Days (left) and The House of Death (above) The Ancient is God as described in the Book of Daniel, but portrayed with Blake s own sensibilties. Very controversial at the time. The House of Death was inspired by the John Milton poem, Paradise Lost. The archangel Michael is showing Adam the disaster (death) he has brought upon mankind.

17 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.3 Art and the Cycle of Life The Cycle of Life (and Death) Humans have always faced questions about existence Where do we come from? What happens when we die? What lies beyond death? Art is a way to explore the mysteries of life and death The cycle of life has been addressed in a huge variety of ways in in different media Mythical visions, narrative accounts, direct portrayal Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

18 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.3 Art and the Cycle of Life Life s Beginnings and Family Ties Creation myths Define how a community understands unexplainable concepts How and why humans came into existence Stories about the process of childbirth Establish and reinforce connections to family members Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

19 Diego Rivera s murals in the Lerma my water supply system in Mexico. Commissioned in 1951 its theme water, the origin of life on earth, features the architects and workers who built it. The murals depict a fertile body of water teeming with life. The female and male characters are submerged in water. They symbolize the roots of Mexico s population and are seen as rooted in the life. The fertility of the water and that of their bodies intermingle- each enriching the other.

20 Water - The Origin of Life Murals

21 Faith Ringgold Tar Beach 1988 Mixed Media Quilt Quilting as a way to remember, celebrate and document family ties has a long history.

22 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.3 Art and the Cycle of Life Sacrifice, Death, and Rebirth Art and ritual mark important stages of life: Rites of passage-entering adulthood Death and sacrifice Afterlife Artworks focus on: The world of the living and its connections Deceased, ancestors, supernatural beings Artwork can reflect a personal or societal held belief system about death, sacrifice, entering maturity, and the afterlife. Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

23 Shiva Nataraja (Lord of the Dance), Chola Period, 11 th century. Bronze, 43⅞ high. Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio

24 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.3 Art and the Cycle of Life Shiva Nataraja (Lord of the Dance) Hindu belief connects the present, past, and future Shiva is a god known for balancing contradictory ideas Half-male, half-female Benevolent yet fearsome both giver and taker of life Shiva Nataraja Dance brings about the endless cycle of life, death, rebirth Symbolism: destroying to build again and the dwarf/demon as the symbol of vanquishing ignorance Shiva s dance restores balance in the cycle of life Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

25 The Dance of Death Fresco Unknown artist 1474 Croatia All men (Kings and common men) are destined to death, dancing with it constantly and inexorably to the end.

26 Andres Serrano, The Morgue (Gun Murder), Cibachrome print, 50 60

27 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.3 Art and the Cycle of Life Andres Serrano, The Morgue (Gun Murder) In modern times, we are somewhat detached from death Not as common to encounter the dead as it was in the past Today, illnesses and deaths occur often in a hospital setting The Morgue (Gun Murder) This unidentified person died of a gunshot wound Opposite view to Mantegna s Dead Christ Depicts the harsh reality of the murder, but not only murder, but any type of death There is also a didactic message here, too about violence on the streets today Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

28 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.3 Art and the Cycle of Life The Power of Nature Nature can both benefit and harm humankind Nature has its own beauty and power-both to give or take life and the power to transform us spiritually Nature has beauty in itself-both ugly and sublime Many cultures believe natural events are caused by the gods, including: Movements of the sun and moon Absence or presence of rain Many stories and images personify natural events Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

29 Gustave Courbet, Fox in the Snow, Oil on canvas, 33½ 50. Dallas Museum of Art, Texas

30 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.3 Art and the Cycle of Life Fox in the Snow Gustave Courbet, Fox in the Snow Depicts the cycle of life and death directly In order to survive, the fox must kill and eat the rat It may find itself the victim in the future Courbet emphasizes fleeting existence and delicacy of life Realism: close attention to depicting detail Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

31 Thomas Moran The Miracle of Nature 1913

32 PART 4 THEMES Chapter 4.3 Art and the Cycle of Life Actions in life Judgment Impact perceptions while alive Have lasting consequences in the afterlife Judgment before passage into the afterlife Marks the transition from life to death Indicates positive or negative outcome Is a feature of numerous religions and belief systems Crimes and Misdemeanors Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields

33 Woman Holding a Balance The painting in the background depicts the Last Judgment A small jewelry chest is open in front of her She holds empty, perfectly balanced scales in her hand Message that one s actions, rather than possessions, are the true measure of one s wealth/worth Johannes Vermeer, Woman Holding a Balance, c Oil on canvas, 16¾ 16. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

34 Ancient Egyptians were buried with a book of the dead: a scroll containing spells and incantations that helped guide the spirit in the afterlife Book of the Dead: Last Judgment before Osiris Scales weigh his soul to see if he has lived an honorable life and paid homage to the gods His heart (in canopic jar) weighs less than an ostrich feather He is proven worthy and allowed to pass into immortality in the afterlife Book of the Dead: Last Judgment before Osiris, c BCE. Painted papyrus, 15⅜ high. British Museum, London, England

35

36 Bululs of the Phillipines The Igorot and Bontoc tribes use these as representations their ancestors. They gain power from ancestral spiritsespecially with crops and healing