A fractious embrace : rethinking ecclesiastical encounters with contemporary art
This thesis claims that in recent years a vibrant critical exchange between contemporary art and Christianity has been increasingly prompted through an accelerating programme of art installations and commissions for ecclesiastical spaces. Crucially, rather than a âreligious artâ reflecting Christian ideology, as in an earlier age might have been expected, current practices frequently initiate interventions that question the values and traditions of the host space, or present objects and events that challenge its visual conventions. I will argue that this exchange offers potential for the mutual enrichment of both art and its sacred contexts, extending the limits of art and its value for the church. Inversely, I will allege that it has the negative potential to create new visual orthodoxies. In the light of these developments, the thesis asks, what are the conditions of possibility for art in ecclesiastical spaces, and how can these conditions be addressed? What viable language or strategies can be formulated to understand and enhance its role within the church? Focusing on concepts drawn from anthropology, comparative religion, art theory and twentieth-century philosophy, what this research attempts to
Koestle-Cate, Jonathan
A fractious embrace : rethinking ecclesiastical encounters with contemporary art. This thesis claims that in recent years a vibrant critical exchange between contemporary art and Christianity has been increasingly prompted through an accelerating programme of art installations and commissions for ecclesiastical spaces. Crucially, rather than a âreligious artâ reflecting Christian ideology, as in an earlier age might have been expected, current practices frequently initiate interventions that question the values and traditions of the host space, or present objects and events that challenge its visual conventions. I will argue that this exchange offers potential for the mutual enrichment of both art and its sacred contexts, extending the limits of art and its value for the church. Inversely, I will allege that it has the negative potential to create new visual orthodoxies. In the light of these developments, the thesis asks, what are the conditions of possibility for art in ecclesiastical spaces, and how can these conditions be addressed? What viable language or strategies can be formulated to understand and enhance its role within the church? Focusing on concepts drawn from anthropology, comparative religion, art theory and twentieth-century philosophy, what this research attempts to
fractious embrace rethink ecclesiastical encounter contemporary_art claim vibrant critical exchange contemporary_art christianity increasingly prompt accelerate programme art installation commission ecclesiastical space crucially rather religious art reflect christian ideology early age might_expect current_practice frequently initiate intervention question value tradition host space present object event challenge visual convention argue exchange offer potential mutual enrichment art sacred context extend limit art value church allege negative potential create_new visual orthodoxy light development asks condition_possibility art ecclesiastical space condition address viable language strategy formulate enhance role_within church focusing concept draw anthropology comparative religion art theory twentieth_century philosophy attempt