Spirituality and contemporary art

Arca, Silvia (2019). Spirituality and contemporary art. University of Birmingham. M.A.

[img]
Preview
Arca2019MAbyRes.pdf
Text - Accepted Version
Available under License All rights reserved.

Download (782kB) | Preview

Abstract

This study examines the role of spirituality in contemporary art and traces the nature of this relationship within the context of Christian spirituality, the spirituality of ‘immanence’ (Spretnak, 2014), the idea of ‘Eastern spirituality’, and the sublime. It describes issues concerning the relationship between spirituality and contemporary art, highlighting how behind the idea of modern ‘disenchantment’ the search for transcendence never really disappeared from art but it uncovers under different forms. By analysing the work of artists who made the engagement with spirituality a central part of their research, this thesis argues that in spite of the reluctance towards this subject in the context of the secularised artistic panorama, the concern with the spiritual appears to be a lively area of interest in art in recent times. Although facing critical problems when it approaches official religions, different cultures, and philosophies, art that is spiritual demonstrates to be significant as it provides opportunities for new ideas and interpretation without necessarily depending on institutionalised beliefs, but rather aiming for a spirituality which is universal. Moreover, the nature of this topic can be extended towards further explorations such as a way of expanding awareness within society, oneself, and the other.

Type of Work: Thesis (Masters by Research > M.A.)
Award Type: Masters by Research > M.A.
Supervisor(s):
Supervisor(s)EmailORCID
Rampley, MatthewUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Carroll, KhadijaUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Licence: All rights reserved
College/Faculty: Colleges (2008 onwards) > College of Arts & Law
School or Department: School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music, Department of Art History, Curating and Visual Studies
Funders: None/not applicable
Subjects: N Fine Arts > N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR
URI: http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/9815

Actions

Request a Correction Request a Correction
View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year