Is God evolving? Totems in contemporary art

HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Is God evolving? Totems in contemporary art
 
Creator Yan, Zhilong Zhang, Aixin
 
Subject — Totem; contemporary art; religious symbolism; spiritual evolution; artistic expression
Description This article explores the evolution of totemic symbolism in contemporary visual art and its profound link with religious concepts, particularly the image of God. It examines how artists reinterpret sacred themes through totems, reflecting both historical religious traditions and modern societal transformations. Through a review of totemic representations from ancient to contemporary artworks, this study illuminates the evolving portrayal of divine figures – from traditional religious icons to more personalised spiritual symbols. This evolution not only signifies changes in artistic expression but also suggests a deepening societal understanding of divinity. The analysis highlights the totem’s role as a mediator between the human and the divine, offering insights into the spiritual connections that transcend conventional religious frameworks. This research not only enriches the discourse on the relationship between art and religion but also underscores the dynamic interaction between cultural heritage and contemporary artistic exploration.Contribution: This study enriches the field of art history and religious studies by tracing the transformative representation of totems in art from ancient symbolism to modern reinterpretations. It underscores the totem’s role as a dynamic symbol in contemporary visual culture, facilitating deeper spiritual connections and dialogues across various cultural and religious landscapes. The findings of this study provide a nuanced understanding of how contemporary art mediates complex theological concepts, thus offering new perspectives on the intersection of art, religion and spirituality.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor Shanghai Theatre Academy: Shanghai
Date 2024-09-10
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — —
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/hts.v80i2.9910
 
Source HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies; Vol 80, No 2 (2024); 14 pages 2072-8050 0259-9422
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9910/27504 https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9910/27505 https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9910/27506 https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9910/27507
 
Coverage — — —
Rights Copyright (c) 2024 Zhilong Yan, Aixin Zhang https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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