Spirituality is a difficult subject to talk about. It is never to be brought up at a dinner party or in a professional setting. However, in some way or another it is a part of everyone’s life. What one chooses to believe or not to believe in is their choice and is ultimately an aspect of their lives that defines them. I think that art is a mode of expression. The work of Italian artists Maurizio Cattelan, was classified in our book within the “Spirituality” section.
The work is titled La Nona Ora and consists of a “red- carpeted exhibition gallery, empty except for a life-size and lifelike sculpture of the pope lying on the floor, clutching the cross” (Robertson, and McDaniel 276). The Pope is trapped beneath a large meteor that appears to have just fallen from the sky. As a viewer you have a sensation that you are the first witness to the scene as you stand among shards of broken glass surrounding the Pope.
Cattelan’s installation causes me to question power and it’s source. What is religions place in this world? A world that could seemingly destroy human existence through one natural disaster. The vision Cattelan creates with the Pope under a rock is both troubling and comical. At first glance, the Pope is under a giant rock. I am not sacrilegious but for some reason that is kind of comical to me. However, then you realize that the Pope is an extremely powerful figure and his death throws the power structure of an entire denomination into complete chaos. Although I am not Catholic this image strikes me as terrifying. Consider if the installation showed our President beneath the meteor. I realize that then the piece would move out of the “spiritual” realm but the loss of power and sense of chaos would still be conveyed.
"La Nona Hora." Art Net. Web. 26 Apr 2010.
Robertson, jean, and craig McDaniel. Themes of Contemporary Art. Second. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. 276-277. Print.
After reading Amanda's post and seeing this piece of art, I can see how this particular piece is controversial. As Amanda describes, "The Pope is trapped beneath a large meteor that appears to have just fallen from the sky." This incident is probably unlikely to happen, which is how I see it as being controversial. Amanda proves my point by stating, " ...you realize that the Pope is an extremely powerful figure and his death throws the power structure of an entire denomination into complete chaos." On the other hand, the pope is in a state of power through religion which makes one think, is this piece of art created to make a valid point of spirituality or to poke fun at the death of the pope? I can see both sides but on a serious note would agree with pointing out spirituality. Spirituality is a touchy subject to some viewers, which could result in an issue of contrvorsey.
ReplyDeleteI also found this portion of the article very funny and interesting. I guess that you could use the word Sublime to explain it because the picture of the pope laying on the ground underneath a huge meteorite is somewhat hard to understand. It made me think what did the pope do to get this kind of punishment? I guess no one can escape the wrath of god because this incident was no mistake. Maybe it is because the pope acts as some kind of diety on earth but who knows.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to figure out what is the terrifying part of this piece. I find it humorous on peoples perspective on religion and this is a funny way of showing this artists view. I don't think this piece is to terrify the viewer but to help them think.
ReplyDeleteThis piece, while I did not find it comical, I did feel the impact of the Pope's death that Amanda said she felt. While I am not Catholic, I grew up in a private Christian school that was very thorough in its teaching of all aspects of Christianity. This work, while it did suprise me because up to this point I never saw the Pope as being an art object, did help me realize the value society holds on his image. Like Amanda said, "his death throws the power structure of an entire denomination into complete chaos." The image of such a powerful character being knocked down by nature gives rise to a variety of questions and concerns. What was the artist's intentions in this piece? Was it merely to evoke a strong emotional sense to the viewer or is it a discussion of the power of nature over religion?
ReplyDelete