2F/2F
10-13-2008, 05:16 PM
Interesting point, but I don't think so. Religious art, I believe, is more likely didactic. It's purpose is to teach some fundamental of the religion, or in many cases to instill in the viewer a religious sentiment or feeling. In the best case, it might instill in the viewer a religious epiphany or transformation. I would not call that commercial.
If it is used outside the church, then it could more more likely be commercial, intended to invite the viewer to enter the church. But once inside, I would not call most of the art commercial, but rather didactic.
Yes, I understand exactly what you are saying. A better way for me to say it would be that the main purpose of the mentioned religious art is something other than to simply exist as visual art. I still think "commercial" is part of it, but not the whole thing. I do believe that religions also double as businesses...if only out of necessity. Or maybe (more likely in my mind) they are businesses that double as religions...who knows.
If it is used outside the church, then it could more more likely be commercial, intended to invite the viewer to enter the church. But once inside, I would not call most of the art commercial, but rather didactic.
Yes, I understand exactly what you are saying. A better way for me to say it would be that the main purpose of the mentioned religious art is something other than to simply exist as visual art. I still think "commercial" is part of it, but not the whole thing. I do believe that religions also double as businesses...if only out of necessity. Or maybe (more likely in my mind) they are businesses that double as religions...who knows.