Sacred Profane

Sacred and Profane in Art

  • The distinction between sacred and profane in spirituality.

    • Common Yearning for the Numinous: A universal desire to explore the origins of life and to find meaning in death.

    • Reliquary:

    • Definition: A container designed to hold sacred relics, typically parts of saints or objects associated with the divine.

    • The Sublime:

    • Definition: A powerful sensation or overwhelming feeling experienced in the presence of something vast or transcendent.

    • Transcendent:

    • Definition: Something that exceeds, surpasses, or goes beyond material experiences.

Historical Context and Artworks

Giotto and 14th Century Works

  • Giotto

    • Notable works include the "Pieta" and "Crucifixion" which reflect the integration of sacred themes in art.

Iconic Sculptures

Buddha Statues

  • Buddha Statues, Bamiyan, Afghanistan:

    • Date: 544-644 CE.

    • 19th Century engraving illustrating their significance as sacred art.

    • The Sublime: The aesthetic experience evoked by these colossal statues.

  • Destruction of Buddha Statues:

    • Event: Destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, deemed idolatrous.

    • Status: Area recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Contemporary Art and Religion

Andres Serrano's Works

  • Milk/Blood (1986): A piece reflecting on themes of faith and reliquaries.

  • Bloodstream (1987): Continued exploration of bodily fluids and spirituality.

  • Untitled (Ejaculate in Trajectory) (1987): Provocative commentary on sexuality and spirituality.

  • Blood and Semen (1987): Further examination of bodily liquids and their spiritual connotations.

  • Blood Cross: Deals with Christian iconography.

  • Blood Madonna (2011): A modern reinterpretation of sacred motherhood.

  • Piss Christ (1987): A controversial work that has faced multiple instances of vandalism.

Incident Involving Michelangelo’s Pietà

  • Laszlo Toth's Attack:

    • Date: May 21, 1972.

    • Event: Toth attacked and damaged the "Pietà" statue by Michelangelo, proclaiming, "I am Jesus Christ — risen from the dead".

    • Outcome: Toth was sent to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.

Contemporary Art and Satire

Mauricio Cattelan's Contributions

  • Comedian (2019): A banana duct-taped to a wall, sold for $120,000, showcased at Art Basel Miami.

  • A Love Without Words (1992): A conceptual exploration of relationships.

  • Bidibidobi diboo (1996): Highlights absurdity in art and life.

  • La Nona Ora (The Ninth Hour) (1999): A piece that critiques religious authority.

  • Conclave (2024): Scene depicting a cardinal’s fall after a car bomb blast, emphasizing the fragility of life and death.

  • Him (2001): A sculpture that presents a young Hitler in a childlike stance, provoking discussions on history and morality.

  • This Is Tomorrow: Title of a yet unspecified contribution.

  • Untitled (2007): An ongoing theme of ambiguity in his work.

Renowned Religious Art

Fra Angelico's Painting

  • The Annunciation (1443): A masterpiece embodying the religious message of the birth of Christ.

Kiki Smith's Sculptural Works

  • Woman: A bronze piece, embodying femininity and spirituality.

  • Rapture (2002): Bronze sculpture reflecting themes of ecstasy and divine connection.

  • Born (2002): Exploration of life, birth, and creation.

  • Tied to Her Nature (2002): Bronze embodying the relationship between nature and the female form.

Contemporary Conversations in Art

Maurizio Cattelan's Gold Sculpture

  • America (2016): Constructed of 18kt. solid gold, initially loaned to the Trump White House in 2017 but was stolen while on loan to Blenheim Castle in 2019.

Duchamp’s Impact on Art

Fountain (1917):

  • Original piece signed "R. MUTT 1917" which challenged traditional notions of art and creativity.

Sherry Levine (Fountain, 1991):

  • A provocative re-interpretation of Duchamp’s original work.

Robert Gober’s Conceptual Art

  • Corner Sink (1984): Utilizes everyday objects to explore deeper themes of identity and belonging.

  • Works from "The Heart is Not a Metaphor" exposition.

  • Torso (1990), Untitled (1991): Pieces interrogating the body and form.

  • Untitled (Man coming out of the woman) (1993-94): A commentary on gender and sexuality.

  • Foot Fetish (2010): Engaging with themes related to quasi-religious fetishism.

  • Virgin Mother (2005): An exploration of motherhood with religious undertones.

  • Troubling the Banal (1997): Challenges concepts of normalcy and everyday life in art.