Magnus Johannes GroßmannArt and Polarity – Towards a Theology of Art

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Art theory is often operating with religious terminology and concepts, while theology is increasingly involved with art.

This study does, therefore, follow an interdisciplinary approach to lay the foundation for a theology of art. A summary of theologically relevant, art-theoretical conceptions of the underlying phenomenon serves as a starting point. Furthermore, the close connection between biblical prophecy on one hand with art on the other is demonstrated by phenomenological, structural and substantial commonalities. Thus, the significance of prophecy in general and prophetic sign-acts in particular within the context of art becomes apparent.

Using such sign-acts, particularly those in the book of Ezekiel, as biblical examples of art, the following thesis is being put forward: the insurmountable tension between polar opposites functions as a characteristic and arguably vital feature of art. Four such polarities are being studied from a theoretical but also exegetical point of view, namely the polarities of beauty and ugliness, illusion and reality, artwork and performance, as well as transcendence and immanence. After an exposition of the relevant literature on each of the polar phenomena, the following passages from the book of Ezekiel are to inform the discussion at hand from a biblical-theological perspective: Ezek 24:15-27; 12:1-16; 4:1-5:4. The resulting insights allow for the reconsideration of art in an explicitly theological context.

The author argues that utilitarian approaches towards art, that are often rooted in a poorly reflected imitatio Dei paradigm and directed towards the domestication of art, cannot be justified based on the biblical findings. This may or even must lead to far-reaching exegetical, systematic, art-theoretical and not least artistic consequences. The concluding chapter presents a summary of said consequences and indicates some areas for further research on the matter.