Abstract
Influenced by David Nikkel’s theory of embodiment, Pavel Florensky’s analysis of art, and Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutic phenomenology, I discuss the artistic and spiritual beliefs of the luminaries of the Silver Age cultural system in Russia. Although their spiritual influences were far and wide, I argue that Eastern Orthodoxy was their base. Utilizing a number of examples of their artwork, I discuss how their compositions represent an embodied, hermeneutic conversation about henosis . That is, hieratic, ritualized communication embodied in art, the latter of which was believed to have transubstantiation qualities. One subtheme addresses the difference between reason and the religious experience of gnosis, i.e. knowing. Another subtheme is the artist as prophet, and art as a sacred signpost of God’s word.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Russian Art History; Russian Religious History; Hieratic Art; Russian Spirituality
