Translated from: Trouw - Moderne kunst en religie bijten elkaar niet
Was the painter Piet Mondrian religious? How did Kazimir Malevitsj, Joseph Beuys and Marlene Dumas depict their inspiration?
Those questions stand central in the exhibition 'Holy Fire - religion and spirituality in modern art' in the Nieuwe Kerk in
Amsterdam, which opens next week."Once it seemed that modern art and religion did conflict," says Gijs van Tuyl, Director of the Stedelijk Museum. "The idea was that art would take over the place of religion."
Part of the collection of the Stedelijk Museum, which is in a long renovation, is the heart of the exhibition in the Nieuwe Kerk. Van Tuyl: We show how religion and spirituality are a source of inspiration for modern artists. "The location, the message of the exhibition in effect: modern art and religion go well together. Eighty works are located in an impressive, red area in the form of a cross.
Not only major world religions are covered, but also alternative life and spiritual oriented movements, such as shamanism.
A work of artist Nam June Paik depicts a Buddha image in a sober space. This "TV Buddha" is constantly filmed by a camera and is watching himself on a TV screen that is right opposite him.
In addition to more traditional images, such as the Rabbi with Thorah of Chagall, more controversial art exhibitions can be seen. Saura's' Crucifixion is a 'crucified animal. And the artists Gilbert & George portrayed themselves as characters next to a cross of human faeces, "Shitty."