Is Modern Art Religious?

Art|Modern Art

Modern art is a complex, varied and often misunderstood movement in the art world. It is often seen as a reaction against traditional forms of art, such as realism and idealism, which dominated the art world in the past centuries. As such, modern art can be seen as a form of expression that is distinct from its predecessors.

However, many scholars have argued that modern art, despite its lack of traditional religious symbols or themes, can still be seen as being deeply rooted in religious thought. This argument has been put forward by scholars such as Jean-François Lyotard and Susan Sontag, both of whom have argued that the non-representational nature of modern art can be seen as an extension of traditional religious beliefs.

At its core, religion is about seeking to understand our relationship with the divine and with the world around us. Modern art provides an outlet for this exploration without relying on established symbols and iconography. The abstract nature of modern art allows for a more spiritual interpretation than traditional forms of representation.

The idea that modern art can be viewed through a spiritual lens has been further explored by contemporary thinkers such as Mark Rothko and Wassily Kandinsky. Rothko believed that his work was “an instrumentality” to bring viewers closer to the divine while Kandinsky saw his abstract works as “divine inspiration” which he hoped would help others find their own connection with the divine.

Even though modern art does not explicitly reference religion or spirituality, it can still be seen as an expression of religious thought and belief. Through its abstract nature it allows viewers to explore their own spiritual beliefs without relying on established symbols and iconography traditionally associated with religion. Therefore, it is clear that modern art does indeed have religious significance and can be seen as an important part of our collective spiritual journey.

Conclusion: Is Modern Art Religious? The answer is yes – although it may not explicitly reference religion or spirituality, through its abstract nature it allows viewers to explore their own spiritual beliefs without relying on established symbols or iconography traditionally associated with religion.