Contemporary Art and Religion

Today, artists continue to incorporate themes of religion and spirituality. Some artists create more controversy than others in their approach, and for those museums who display their work, take risks and have received various kinds of reactions from the public. Should art be banned when it comes to depicting themes of religion? The same can be said with controver‐ sial subject matter, such as violence. Where does art draw the line? Or should it have to? C Religion and spirituality is still worth exploring how the subject of religion and spirituality O continues to be a relevant subject for artists today, and how art can be used to transform ideas, evoke a response, create commentary, and portray personal feelings for the artist on N the topic. N “For many of us, art can open a door into the spiritual realm. And if we look back through the history of civilization, we discover that art and spirituality have always been inextricably E linked, that they have had a long and fruitful partnership... As we journey through the history of art, we discover breathtakingly grand testimonies to spirituality…We also find more inti‐ C mate and personal expressions of spirituality…Artists, it would seem, have long been our inter‐ preters, our shamans, and our guides.” ‐ Art21: Art in the Twenty‐first Century, www.art21.org T

In talking about contemporary artworks on these themes, use the following key questions to I guide discussions: O • What might artists be considering in creating their works compared to the artists of the 15th and 16th centuries? N • Can you find any similarities and differences in the works? • What is the artist trying to convey? S • Is the artist creating his work to offend or for shock value? Why or why not? • Would you consider the work of the Renaissance or the work of contemporary artists “art”? Explain your answer. • What is the difference between religion and spirituality?

Art That Ignites Controversy Some museums have taken risks in showing work that is controversial in nature that relate to the subject of religion. Some artists in the contemporary art world also challenge the public regarding spirituality and religion. Older students may be knowledgeable of some of these artists.

Addressing the topic of “art as controversy” can lead to interesting thought‐provoking discus‐ sions and further questions. Some questions for discussion could include: • Do you think art should be used to push boundaries? • Does art need to be controversial? • Should artist’s address religion or spirituality in their work? • Should museums display work that is considered “controversial”?

James A. Michener Art Museum www.learn.michenerartmuseum.org • www.michenerartmuseum.org

Contemporary Artists Using Religion and Spirituality

To look further at contemporary art and religion, Art 21, a non‐profit organization dedicated to engaging audiences in contemporary visual art, offers a biennial television series, called Art 21 (www.art21.org). Some artists who have been featured on previous Art 21 programs C address the topic of religion and spirituality. Some of these artists are listed below. For a post‐ visit discussion after visiting the exhibition, take a look at some of these works. O

Visit: http://www.pbs.org/art21/series/seasonone/spirituality.html N • Ann Hamilton N • John Feodorov • Shahzia Sikander E • James Turrell C Key Questions: T The artists listed below all have a unique perspective on religion that they want many people to be able to experience and share in. Some questions to guide discussion could include: I • How does their work relate to spirituality? O • What are these artists tapping into that the Italian artists of the Renaissance may have also been trying to convey? N

Some other examples of contemporary artists include: S • Simon Toparovsky: bronze crucifix created for the Los Angeles Cathedral www.simontoparovsky.com/page_jesus.htm. • Makoto Fujimura: four canonical gospels, redesigned and produced as an illuminated manuscript www.makotofujimura.com/four‐holy‐gospels/ • Enrique Martinez Celaya: four monumental paintings made as installations in response to the space in the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine in New York. www.martinezcelaya.com/ • Anselm Kiefer: artist dealing with German history, the holocaust, and spiritual concepts of the Kabbalah. See some of his work at the Philadelphia Museum of Art: www.philamuseum.org.

Note: Due to the sensitivity of the artwork’s content, teachers may use their own discretion in discussion these artists with their students.

James A. Michener Art Museum www.learn.michenerartmuseum.org • www.michenerartmuseum.org