In Robert Rosenblum’s book "Modern Painting and the Northern Romantic Tradition: Friedrich to Rothko", Rosenblum traces a continuing tradition in art from the 18th century to the 1960s, which centres upon the term ‘sublime’. In the past many artists (amongst them Caspar David Friedrich, Turner, Wassily Kandinsky, Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman) and theorists (amongst them Edmund Burke, Immanuel Kant, Jean-Francois Lyotard) have explored the transcendental nature of the sublime in art.
Today we live in an age that prides itself on the loss of illusion. Ideas of transcendence in art are often seen as sentimental and viewed with skepticism. The word sublime seems to be stripped down to “the shock of the new” (often centered on horror).
This essay explores how the transcendental sublime is situated in contemporary art. The ‘transcendental sublime’ will here refer to how looking at a work of art can enable one to be transported, going beyond the given limits to a place of accessing one’s spiritual side. Art that has used shock and terror to achieve a sense of the sublime will be excluded from this discussion.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Transcendental Sublime in Contemporary Art
- Bridge of Empathy between the Spectator and the Transcendental Landscape
- Reaching the Transcendental Through the Physical
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the manifestation of the transcendental sublime in contemporary art, focusing on artists who evoke spiritual experiences through their work, contrasting with approaches that utilize shock or terror. The essay examines how contemporary artists engage with and reinterpret the Romantic sublime tradition while utilizing modern media and technology.
- The enduring relevance of the transcendental sublime in contemporary art.
- The role of modern media and technology in creating transcendental experiences.
- The relationship between art, nature, and spirituality.
- A comparison of contemporary artists' approaches to the sublime with those of earlier artists (e.g., Romantic painters and Abstract Expressionists).
- The potential of art to offer solace and contemplation in a rapidly changing world.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage by discussing Robert Rosenblum's work on the Romantic sublime and its evolution through art history. It contrasts the historical understanding of the sublime with contemporary skepticism toward transcendence, focusing the essay's scope on the transcendental sublime as a spiritual experience facilitated by art, excluding works relying on shock or terror.
The Transcendental Sublime in Contemporary Art: This chapter analyzes the societal context of contemporary art, marked by simulation and the commodification of nature. It argues that while some artists appropriate earlier styles without engaging with the sublime, others find new ways to explore transcendental themes. The chapter introduces artists like Therese Oulton and Anselm Kiefer as examples of those who build upon and transform the Romantic tradition. The discussion highlights the tension between engaging with the sublime and the artist's awareness of contemporary culture, challenging the notion that such work is merely nostalgic.
Bridge of Empathy between the Spectator and the Transcendental Landscape: This chapter focuses on artists like Richard Long, Andy Goldsworthy, and others who create works that evoke direct connections to nature. It draws parallels between their approach and the work of Romantic painters like Friedrich and Turner, highlighting the emphasis on sensory experience and the creation of empathy between the viewer and the artwork's subject matter. The chapter analyzes how these artists elicit a sense of communion with nature, allowing the viewer to imagine themselves within the artistic experience.
Reaching the Transcendental Through the Physical: This chapter examines artists such as Anish Kapoor and Shirazeh Hoshiary, who express spiritual experiences through physical forms. It discusses Hoshiary's use of Sufi symbolism and Kapoor's incorporation of industrial materials to explore the sublime. The chapter also touches upon the use of color and monochrome aesthetics to evoke the immaterial and the potential of art to induce measurable meditative experiences, referencing scientific research on the impact of art on the brain.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Transcendental sublime, contemporary art, Romantic sublime, Abstract Expressionism, nature, spirituality, modern media, technology, meditation, sensory experience, commodification, simulation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of the Transcendental Sublime in Contemporary Art
What is the main topic of this essay?
The essay explores the manifestation of the transcendental sublime in contemporary art. It focuses on how contemporary artists evoke spiritual experiences through their work, contrasting approaches that utilize shock or terror. The essay examines how contemporary artists engage with and reinterpret the Romantic sublime tradition while utilizing modern media and technology.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the enduring relevance of the transcendental sublime in contemporary art; the role of modern media and technology in creating transcendental experiences; the relationship between art, nature, and spirituality; a comparison of contemporary and earlier artists' approaches to the sublime; and the potential of art to offer solace and contemplation.
Which artists are discussed in the essay?
The essay discusses several artists, including Therese Oulton, Anselm Kiefer, Richard Long, Andy Goldsworthy, Anish Kapoor, and Shirazeh Hoshiary. The essay uses these artists as examples to illustrate different approaches to expressing the transcendental sublime in contemporary art.
How does the essay relate contemporary art to the Romantic sublime?
The essay draws parallels between contemporary artists and Romantic painters like Friedrich and Turner, highlighting the emphasis on sensory experience and the creation of empathy between the viewer and the artwork's subject matter. However, it also acknowledges the differences, considering the societal context of contemporary art, including simulation and the commodification of nature.
What is the significance of the "Bridge of Empathy" concept?
The "Bridge of Empathy" refers to the way certain artists, particularly those working with nature, create a direct connection between the viewer and the artwork's subject matter. This fosters a sense of communion with nature and allows the viewer to immerse themselves in the artistic experience.
How does the essay address the use of technology and modern media in contemporary art relating to the sublime?
The essay examines how contemporary artists utilize modern media and technology to create transcendental experiences. This includes considering how technology influences the context and reception of art relating to the sublime.
What role does spirituality play in the essay?
Spirituality is a central theme. The essay focuses on how contemporary artists evoke spiritual experiences through their work, specifically exploring the transcendental sublime as a spiritual experience facilitated by art.
What are the main conclusions of the essay?
The conclusion synthesizes the findings from the preceding chapters, reinforcing the ongoing relevance of the transcendental sublime in contemporary art and its ability to offer solace and contemplation in a rapidly changing world. The conclusion likely summarizes the various approaches artists utilize to achieve this effect.
What are the keywords associated with this essay?
Keywords include: Transcendental sublime, contemporary art, Romantic sublime, Abstract Expressionism, nature, spirituality, modern media, technology, meditation, sensory experience, commodification, simulation.
What is the structure of the essay?
The essay is structured into an introduction, chapters exploring the transcendental sublime in contemporary art, the bridge of empathy, reaching the transcendental through the physical, and a conclusion. Each chapter focuses on specific artists and approaches to the sublime.
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- Nandita Mukand (Autor:in), 2013, The Transcendental Sublime in Contemporary Art, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/298270
