Visual Culture #2

This week we looked at 'Visual Language and Faith', with close reference to Christianity and Islam. And also how differently they interpret the following Bible passage:

"You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself and image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth." - Exodus 20:3-6.

The Gothic church celebrates nature with its spectacle of colour and decoration. 

http://manapop.com/film/crimson-peak-2015-review/

Pagan celebrations turned Christian; the Pagan's 'midwinter' celebration soon evolved into Christian's 'Christmas'. Gothic churches also had various architecture of body parts as a test so people do not lust. It could also be meant as a joke. Christians found creativity in the religious doctrine and the Gothic to celebrate God ('iconistic'). Catholic cathedrals were built next to Mosques which were huge in comparison. 

Islam interpreted Exodus very differently and took it very literally. They did not use any images to convey the word of God ('aniconistic'). The conquering of the 'moors' which was nearly all Islamic, meant it was now nearly all Christian. The Muslims of Spain were called "An Andalus" who reintroduced Greek ideas of science and art. The Bible was read by the educated elite, where as the Qur'an was learnt by all. It is their duty to larn all things and how to read. They were encouraged to read everything, however to read anything other than the Bible was punishable by death in Christian Europe. 'Moorish' decoration was introduced with it's aniconistic an geometric patterns. They didn't include any icons to follow Exodus as well as for people to focus on God. 

In Dianne's session we looked at religion in cinema and our choice of film we put on the VLE. I chose three; Life of Brian, Horns and L'age d'Or (my focus film). 

 


L'age d'Or is particularly controversial especially the ending of Jesus and his disciples raping virgins. But there is also a seemingly random scene just before this where someone throws the Pope out of the window, suggesting the downfall of religion.