Comments on: Hinduism: In the Realm of Gods and Goddesses http://macaulay.cuny.edu/seminars/saldana07/2007/10/hinduism-in-the-realm-of-gods-and-goddesses/ Art Is Where You Find It Thu, 27 Dec 2007 13:38:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Zoe Sheehan Saldana http://macaulay.cuny.edu/seminars/saldana07/2007/10/hinduism-in-the-realm-of-gods-and-goddesses/comment-page-1/#comment-230 Zoe Sheehan Saldana Sat, 03 Nov 2007 15:57:31 +0000 http://web.honorscollege.cuny.edu/seminars/saldana07/?p=369#comment-230 I think that the connection between religion and art is a deep one, with many complexities. At various times in history, religious art has been the only significant art, and religious leaders/groups have been the only significant patrons of art. From our current perspective we see these objects as historical - chronicling the religion, as Steven notes. But in its own time religious art has also been a way to enhance the religion's power, to mediate the relationship between the individual and the divine, to communicate religious principles/stories to the non-literate, etc. You might consider how these objects/images were created and used in their own time, and how there has been a shift in their reception from the time of their production to the current time. On a related note, one could see the shift in art's historical focus from religious art to state-sponsored art to market-driven art as mirroring changes in the larger culture - the power of religion is supplanted by the power of the state, which in turn is supplanted by the power of the market - in this way art is both a product of and a reflection of the values of the culture that produced it. These are big generalizations of course but maybe also food for thought, and perhaps useful as we try to analyze art in its current incarnation. I think that the connection between religion and art is a deep one, with many complexities. At various times in history, religious art has been the only significant art, and religious leaders/groups have been the only significant patrons of art. From our current perspective we see these objects as historical – chronicling the religion, as Steven notes. But in its own time religious art has also been a way to enhance the religion’s power, to mediate the relationship between the individual and the divine, to communicate religious principles/stories to the non-literate, etc. You might consider how these objects/images were created and used in their own time, and how there has been a shift in their reception from the time of their production to the current time.

On a related note, one could see the shift in art’s historical focus from religious art to state-sponsored art to market-driven art as mirroring changes in the larger culture – the power of religion is supplanted by the power of the state, which in turn is supplanted by the power of the market – in this way art is both a product of and a reflection of the values of the culture that produced it.

These are big generalizations of course but maybe also food for thought, and perhaps useful as we try to analyze art in its current incarnation.

]]> By: Steven Chang http://macaulay.cuny.edu/seminars/saldana07/2007/10/hinduism-in-the-realm-of-gods-and-goddesses/comment-page-1/#comment-226 Steven Chang Sat, 03 Nov 2007 03:36:28 +0000 http://web.honorscollege.cuny.edu/seminars/saldana07/?p=369#comment-226 It was very interesting to see how the art told a story here. In addition, I think we see here the important role art plays in religion throughout history, as a tool to chronicle religion. It was very interesting to see how the art told a story here. In addition, I think we see here the important role art plays in religion throughout history, as a tool to chronicle religion.

]]> By: Anna-Maja Rappard http://macaulay.cuny.edu/seminars/saldana07/2007/10/hinduism-in-the-realm-of-gods-and-goddesses/comment-page-1/#comment-212 Anna-Maja Rappard Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:32:27 +0000 http://web.honorscollege.cuny.edu/seminars/saldana07/?p=369#comment-212 I think its very intersting what you learned about the Hindu Gods and Goddesses; Shiva and Parvati. To me its very interesting to learn about such ancient religions especially today where religion seems to be the cause for many conflicts. I find the themes in these sculptures very interesting since they tell so much about the beliefs and traditions of the religion. I think its very intersting what you learned about the Hindu Gods and Goddesses; Shiva and Parvati. To me its very interesting to learn about such ancient religions especially today where religion seems to be the cause for many conflicts. I find the themes in these sculptures very interesting since they tell so much about the beliefs and traditions of the religion.

]]> By: bonnylin http://macaulay.cuny.edu/seminars/saldana07/2007/10/hinduism-in-the-realm-of-gods-and-goddesses/comment-page-1/#comment-191 bonnylin Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:18:10 +0000 http://web.honorscollege.cuny.edu/seminars/saldana07/?p=369#comment-191 i think there's a three eyed god in chinese legends and he also doesn't open the third eye in the middle of his unless it is to attack someone. it's interesting to see how some cultures are related. and i don't know about an elephant god but i think the elephant is supposed to be a good symbol in buddhism although i'm really not sure. i think there’s a three eyed god in chinese legends and he also doesn’t open the third eye in the middle of his unless it is to attack someone. it’s interesting to see how some cultures are related. and i don’t know about an elephant god but i think the elephant is supposed to be a good symbol in buddhism although i’m really not sure.

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