Avantgarde Art, and Radical Material Theology: A Manifesto
In 1967, Lynn White Jr. argued that the Christian worldview according to which nature is placed in the care of—or even under the dominion of—Man is the root of the disastrous environmental development. Christian missionaries have been chopping down sacred trees for two millenia since they regard the idea of a spiritual reality in nature idolatrous, he reasoned. Hence, only when the inherited and often unconscious Christian view of nature is rethought, he continued, may science and technology assist the preservation of the earth. White’s article has been critiqued for its sweeping interpretation of Christianity and his overall aim has been developed by many, yet his argument is still apposite why the present book is an attempt at doing what White requests. Not finding a new religion, nor embracing some new-old faith in the spirit of trees, but at critically and creatively rethinking the Christian relationship to the material world. To do so, the book invites a new voice into contemporary theology: Russian Avant-garde artist Liubov Popova (1889-1924) and presents an experimental theological interpretation of her work that challenges the Christian idea of man’s central position in creation and that suggests a constructivist approach to material reality and spiritual ideas alike. A contract is signed for publication (Routledge, 2020), two articles are written and an exchange between Stockholm School of Theology and The Westar Institute, California is planned for Nov 2019.
Final report
"Avant-garde art and the materiality of theology: a manifesto" explores new sources for radical political theology. Instead of turning to the history of theology for inspiration, the project turns to the history of art, more specifically, to the early 20th century Russian avant-garde and the constructivist artist Liubov Popova (1889-1924).
With the climate change challenges as our starting point, we explore Popova's approach to the relationship between humanity, materiality and spirituality. Issues such as how to create a future society that respects and cares for the voice and will of matter as well as the human need for spirituality are discussed. Through Popova's reconsideration of the art concept, technology and everyday things stand forth as sites for the beginning of a new society. The conversation is deepened by putting Popova's art and thinking in relation to theologians and philosophers such as Paul Tillich, Donna Haraway, Walter Benjamin and Gilles Deleuze.
The link to Russian Orthodox liturgical theology and the iconography that inspired Popova runs through the project. The avant-garde interpretations of iconography illuminate a political force in the religious heritage. The reverence of the spiritual materiality of icon art and liturgy paves the way to a vision for a sustainable future society. The project has resulted in articles and a book. In the spirit of constructivism, the book concludes with an equally playful and seriously meant manifesto.
With the climate change challenges as our starting point, we explore Popova's approach to the relationship between humanity, materiality and spirituality. Issues such as how to create a future society that respects and cares for the voice and will of matter as well as the human need for spirituality are discussed. Through Popova's reconsideration of the art concept, technology and everyday things stand forth as sites for the beginning of a new society. The conversation is deepened by putting Popova's art and thinking in relation to theologians and philosophers such as Paul Tillich, Donna Haraway, Walter Benjamin and Gilles Deleuze.
The link to Russian Orthodox liturgical theology and the iconography that inspired Popova runs through the project. The avant-garde interpretations of iconography illuminate a political force in the religious heritage. The reverence of the spiritual materiality of icon art and liturgy paves the way to a vision for a sustainable future society. The project has resulted in articles and a book. In the spirit of constructivism, the book concludes with an equally playful and seriously meant manifesto.