I like religious art mostly because the European visual arts were the interpretation of Christian thought in the periods which I value the most: from the Renaissance to the 19th century. I also like Islamic arts by the way, particularly calligraphy and tile work, although I must admit I regret their general lack of human figures for religious purposes, but I equally appreciate their luxurious attention to detail. It’s eye-opening to observe how the various religions promoted and prohibited the arts.
On that, a Jesuit church in Rome now features a dazzling show of light, sound, and a mechanical introduction of a Baroque masterpiece, all to delight the believers. I am in love with the idea:
Every afternoon at 5:30 sharp, the “ta-da” moment arrives at the Chiesa del Gesù, the mother church of the Jesuit order.
As choral music fills the church, a meticulously choreographed light show begins in the left transept of the Chapel of St. Ignatius of Loyola. During the startling crescendo, a painted altarpiece descends slowly, exposing a deep niche in which a majestic silver statue depicts St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits, jetting into heaven.
The spectacle does not actually end with the unveiling of the statue. The show goes on, ultimately illuminating the entire nave of the church, where St. Ignatius is welcomed into an illusionistic vision of heaven where figures spill out onto stucco clouds painted by G. B. Gaulli, known as Baciccia, and then into the church’s dome, where he is united with God.
The reaction of the people present when the show takes place must be similar to that of peasants in Renaissance Italy upon entering a small church on a Sunday, to be met by a colorful altarpiece, in trivial occasions concealed, depicting a religious episode (and yet featuring the rich patrons of the church as characters). I imagine it must be very profound and awe-inspiring to see God or his work presented thus.
This is what I like to call The Art of Belief. It is the use of arts to inspire faith, a clever tool and one I personally am grateful for since it has helped the arts more than it has hindered them (at least in the past). I would love to see that Jesuit spectacle, as I am sure I would appreciate the marriage of art, faith, and mechanics in a holy place. If stained-glass church windows impressed me, this would send me into a trance.
I am also in awe of God’s glory as reflected by the creativity if His creation. I’ve never understood why religious people stood so firmly against the arts, except when others began to worship the creation over the Creator. My evangelical church seems so barren visually, compared to the Orthodox church in Khilda.
Thanks for seeing the value of the art of my faith too. :)