Yorgos Papadopolus
I.con.i.cal.ly
2008
For much of modern times as artists developed new subjects and secular pursuits began to rival religious. Why has religious iconography become an almost taboo subject for the modern artist? Is there a correlation to the political emphasis, of separation of church and state in modern western culture? Is it because past associations with the churches’ use of this imagery for purposes of subjugation and manipulation of the masses? Is it the possibility of being labeled, characterized or pigeon holed because of an artist choice of subject? Is it less complicated than that? Perhaps we have seen theses images that are so familiar there is a belief there is nothing new to be explored?
Yorgos Papadopoulos architectural glass artist has a strikingly new way of interpreting the most sacred art form, with the hope of placing modern Orthodox traditions in a modern context seeing miracles in new technologies. These intriguing challenging versions of Madonna, Jesus and Saints, are created from carefully controlled shattering of glass. The resulting unique canvases depict archetypal images in a wholly new and relevant way; from electrifying neon pink Madonna to a more serene black and white Virgin and child.
Yoros Papadopolous thoughts on glass - " It struck me, that glass was an ideal medium for conducting this search. Icons have always been seen as windows between human and divine worlds: Glass is both transparent and capable of bearing an image, a revelation and a mystery. The Virgin is both the Mother of God and a woman. She is eternal, but also mortal, unchanging but capable of change. Her image is often an abstraction, seeing reality in a non-realistic way.
click images on the left to enlarge
2008
For much of modern times as artists developed new subjects and secular pursuits began to rival religious. Why has religious iconography become an almost taboo subject for the modern artist? Is there a correlation to the political emphasis, of separation of church and state in modern western culture? Is it because past associations with the churches’ use of this imagery for purposes of subjugation and manipulation of the masses? Is it the possibility of being labeled, characterized or pigeon holed because of an artist choice of subject? Is it less complicated than that? Perhaps we have seen theses images that are so familiar there is a belief there is nothing new to be explored?
Yorgos Papadopoulos architectural glass artist has a strikingly new way of interpreting the most sacred art form, with the hope of placing modern Orthodox traditions in a modern context seeing miracles in new technologies. These intriguing challenging versions of Madonna, Jesus and Saints, are created from carefully controlled shattering of glass. The resulting unique canvases depict archetypal images in a wholly new and relevant way; from electrifying neon pink Madonna to a more serene black and white Virgin and child.
Yoros Papadopolous thoughts on glass - " It struck me, that glass was an ideal medium for conducting this search. Icons have always been seen as windows between human and divine worlds: Glass is both transparent and capable of bearing an image, a revelation and a mystery. The Virgin is both the Mother of God and a woman. She is eternal, but also mortal, unchanging but capable of change. Her image is often an abstraction, seeing reality in a non-realistic way.
click images on the left to enlarge
