I haven´t bothered reading all of this typically eclectic Wikipedia entry, but the closing section is priceless. I mean, puleeze...
>>>In 1947, Terence Harold Robsjohn-Gibbings (1905–1976), criticizing modern art, accused it of "vicious connection" with the occult. Robsjohn-Gibbings' criticism was so "successful that, for decades, supporters of abstract art religiously avoided mentioning the esoteric connections of its pioneers." Interest in Theosophy of such abstract art leaders as Mondrian and Kandinsky was used "as a weapon" against modern art in general "by evangelical Christians and other critics."
>>>The prejudgment against connection the sources of modern art with Theosophy still exists. For example, art history scholar Yve-Alain Bois claimed that "the Theosophical nonsense with which the artist's mind was momentarily encumbered" disappeared quite rapidly from Mondrian's art, but Mondrian himself wrote: "I got everything from The Secret Doctrine." The "Inventing Abstraction, 1910–1925" exhibition at the New York Museum of Modern Art in 2012–2013 "completely ignored" the value of occultism and Theosophy.
>>>Art critic Waldemar Januszczak wrote on 7 February 2010: "The fact is, Theosophy... is embarrassing. If there is one thing you do not want your hardcore modernist to be, it is a member of an occult cult... Theosophy takes art into Dan Brown territory. No serious student of art history wants to touch it."
>>>Januszczak claimed also that Theosophy was "fraudulent" and "ridiculous," and that "one day, someone will write a big book on the remarkable influence of Theosophy on modern art" and "its nonsensical spell" on so many modern artists. But, as Massimo Introvigne wrote, "conferences, publications, and exhibitions about Theosophy's influence on modern art continue at an increasing pace."
LOL. Get used to it, art critics! Modern art is evidently soaked in occultism. Sorry, lads, your "analyses" are worthless. It was Mme Blavatsky and Dr Steiner all the time, ha ha ha!
I suppose the contributions listed in the reference section could be interesting...if I ever get infinite time 24/7.
Denying occultism is almost a bit paradoxical, I mean, it´s *supposed* to be a secret. Thanx for making the work of the Black Lodges more succesful, LOL.
ReplyDeleteDenying esoterical influences on well-known artists, writers or scientists seem to be a whole genre. I blogged about it before.
ReplyDeleteGuess where the idea of conquering outer space comes from? Indeed, even the Western Idea of Progress probably comes from *some* freakin´ school of esotericism.
ReplyDeleteI mean, even the idea that consciousness is a purely material process sounds occult as hell if you reflect more deeply on it. HA HA HA.
ReplyDeleteWe control the horizontal. We control the vertical. Welcome to the TWILIGHT ZONE!
ReplyDeleteBut sure, the esoterick influence on modernist art is perhaps a bit surprising. Symbolism? Not so much. But the weird abstract shit that came later...maybe the White Lodge should deny any knowledge of these actions!
ReplyDeleteI´m not a yuge fanboi of the Pre-Raphaelites, but if forced to chose between their art and abstract modern painting, dude, I´m gonna side with the mysterious ginger "belle dame sans merci" anytime!
ReplyDeleteLate to the party, but yeah, Rossetti's Beata Beatrix was my muse in my early twenties. I''ll take Dicksee's version of La Belle Dame too.
DeleteI can´t let this go. Imagine being an art critic and thinking that abstract art is *more* profound *without* the Theosophical influence! LOL.
ReplyDelete