RELIGION, ART AND THE MEDIA

1. LS2: Narrowing the Definition of ‘Religious Art’ RELIGION, ART AND THE MEDIA • Lesson Objectives: • To know what is considered to be ‘religious art’ today, in theological terms • To understand how the relationship between religion and art evolved throughout history. • To reflect on the relationship between religion and art today.

2. 1 2 3 4 NEOLITHIC (NEW STONE AGE) [8000-3000 B.C.E] DADA [1916 - 1923 C.E.] GREEK HIGH CLASSICAL [450-400 B.C.] ICONOCLASM [726-843 C.E.] TASK: Write down the order in which you think these art pieces were made throughout history. 5 7 8 PALEOLITHIC (OLD STONE AGE) [30,000-10,000 B.C.E] 6 EARLY BYZANTINE ERA [526-725 C.E.] NEO-IMPRESSIONISM [1886-1906] THE HIGH RENAISSANCE [1495-1527]

3. Narrowing the Definition of ‘Religious Art’: RELIGIOUS THEMES VS SPIRITUAL THEMES Reflecting a system of belief that is both the public and social (that of an established religion). Reflecting a system of belief that is private and subjective (that of an individual’s sense of spirituality). RELIGIOUS ART VS INSTITUTIONAL ART Religious artefacts; as those found in (or as) places of worship, scripture, festivals, the homes of believers. Art as an established institution in itself; art that is found in galleries, museums, or as performances. Our definition of ‘religious art’ for the purposes of this course: ‘Religious art’ is that art which reflects the system of a religious tradition’s belief, in both its public and social context. Art that is found in (or as) that tradition’s place of worship, scripture, festivals and the homes of believers.

5. LS2: Narrowing the Definition of ‘Religious Art’ RELIGION, ART AND THE MEDIA • Lesson Objectives: • To know what is considered to be ‘religious art’ today, in theological terms • To understand how this definition came to be. • To reflect on the relationship between religion and art today.