Art and Religion
Art and Religion
Background
Art provides a reflection of the perception of the present or past moment and time in which the artist lives (Meskerem, 2003). Much of the knowledge of ancient civilizations in various parts of the world comes from the conceptualization of the works of art written, drawn, or performed by artists of the time. The sculptures, drawings, reliefs, and paintings that exist in caves and ruins carved or drawn give us an insight into the past (Clarke, 2009).
The ancient works of art are a window into the history of human civilization perceived through the eye of the artists. The paintings, symbols, signs, drawings and sculptures represent emotional expressions, ideas imposed by the power of the time, and duplications of iconic figures. Art reflects the human quest for meaning, and as such intrinsically related to religion (Greene, 2007).
In relation to religion, ancient art represents the indigenous pre-Christian belief systems and practices (Martz, 2011). Religion is a vital part of the life of humans. Ancient art is the work of ancient masons, carvers, painters, weavers, and porters who portray religious beliefs, mood, and practices. They serve to create spiritual and social change and spread Christianity and its values. In the modern times, ancient works of art reflect the contemporary, daily lives of the Christians at the times (Schellenberg & von Scheve, 2012). In relation to the modern art, the audio and visual arts are cues to religious mood. Musical characteristics such as fast tempo and high mode are cues to happiness while slow tempo and minor mode reflect sadness.
In the ancient times the Christian art only had a place in monasteries, churches, and homes of the believers (Greene, 2007). It represented sacred, worshipped, and highly adored icons of the Christian history. The situation is different today; as a result of modernization and globalization, the iconic Christian paintings, and sculptures appear in museums, and tourist galleries and shops in cities. They serve a different purpose acting as a source of income for traders and aesthetic decorations in the homes and workplaces of buyers. Contemporary art is less formal but more expressive than medieval art.
Modern art are a reflection of the artist perspective and expressions while ancient art was impersonal and conformed to the Christian religion. The Christian art strives to express ideas in a concrete, visual expression and not in an abstract form. It uses beauty, purity, and creativity to ignite spirituality as a person contemplates the idea expressed in the visual arts. The Christian expression of symbolic images and signs is inexhaustible in depth, variety, and richness.
In today’s society, religion plays a principal role in the lives of some people, but the general life is no longer under the dominance of religion (De Gruchy, 2009). Therefore, there is not a significant presence of religious art in the modern society unlike in the Middle Ages in which art developed dominant, illuminating religious themes. It during this time that people embraced spirituality deeply exemplifying the symbiotic relationship art and religion. The era of Emperor Constantine the Great is a significant period in history of the spread of Christianity (Matson, 2004).
Art was instrumental in spreading and identifying with the Christian faith. Epigraphs and artifacts were the order of Christianity. Emperor Constantine expressed in art what he was teaching in words about the divine nature of Christianity. The scepter of the cross is an example of artifacts that were essential for a Christian at the time. This paper analysis historical relations between art and religion and identifies the deviation in the modern relationship. The intention is to diagnose the potential consequence of the diminishing relationship to the Christian religion.
Research Design and Methods
Purpose Statement: The purpose of this study is to determine the role of art in propagating Christianity and the perception of the Christian art in the general population.
Study Design: The study is a qualitative and cross sectional in nature. It uses observations and interviews to determine the significance of art in the Christian religion. The study will use household and church visits and interviews to observe and document the nature and meaning of the religious works of art on display in the churches and homes. In addition, the study will also use observations and interviews in non religious places where Christian art products are available such as museums and tourist galleries. The study seeks to identify the popularity of Christian sculptures, drawings, paintings, and visual art and the reasons for purchase of these items as expressed by the buyers through interviews. In addition, the study will use literature review to identify information that will guide the analysis of the data collected.
Data Collection Methods: Data collection tools to use are gallery observation sheets, questionnaires for individual interviews, and data collection sheets for documenting review of the literature.
Justification
Religion and art are both principal sources of values that are essential in the determination of solutions to crucial social problems (Martz, 2011). Religion plays a significant role in the human quest for meaning. Religion fosters the values of love, equality, justice, benevolence, and concern for all (De Gruchy, 2009). These are values that guide coexistence in society.
Artists who gain an experience of these values through religion present them in artistic images that have a greater capacity to influence a cardinal number of persons. Artists express historical and mystical icons through artistic forms such as paintings, sculptures, visual images, and drawings. The principal question is whether art adds value to religion, and, therefore; questions of function and aesthetics of art are inevitable.
The aesthetic function of art poses a problem to Christianity in the secular, modern world (Flood, 2008). For example, Gilbert and George made an exhibition presenting religion as oppressive through a pastiche of artistic images, in 2006 London exhibitions (Ibid). Therefore, it is a mystery whether artistic images of the Christian events, icons, and cathedrals can only function within the confines of religious settings. This study is paramount because art is a significant tool for the spread of the Christian values as evident by history (Drury, 1999).
The furious condemnation often seen in other religions such as Islam in reaction to a negative depiction of religious icons is absent in Christianity. Therefore, a negative and diminishing role of the art may imply a contradictory relationship between the Christian religion and art. Changes in the surrounding culture influence the relationship between religion and art distorting the traditional, functional relationship.
Schedule
The first year of study will involve continuation of literature review and proposal development. In addition, the first year schedule will include population sampling and identification of resources essential for the implementation of the study. This is vital in creating a proposal that will facilitate the collection of relevant and complete data that will guide the analysis and conclusion appropriately. Implementation of the proposal begins in the second year immediately upon approval by the faculty. This will start with a pretest of study tools and resources and the subsequent revisions and adjustments.
Bibliography
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