Sacré

Group show with works by L. Bae, T. Bassel, J.B. Boyer, P. Convert, E. Esser, V. Gicquel, A. Kirili, C. Lapie and Hermann Nitsch

Under the new, refurbished glass roof, Galerie RX in Paris is hosting a group exhibition focusing on sacrality. With works by L. Bae, T. Bassel, J.B. Boyer, P. Convert, E. Esser, V. Gicquel, A. Kirili, C. Lapie and Hermann Nitsch, nine of the gallery’s artists have come together to celebrate the link between individuality and collectivism.

Sacrality is an answer to questions that humans have been asking themselves since the beginning, a response to an unknown emotion or an unexplained phenomenon. It allows us to move from the natural towards the supernatural, and to explain reality and phenomena that are beyond human comprehension. Beliefs are often linked to a religion, but differ according to a variety of factors: time, geography, history, etc. The sacred is also linked to the notion of light. Traditionally, in spiritual places, light has been used to create a space for sacrality in a variety of different ways, whether by the light within an image or by the light emanating from a building. But what about the representation of the sacred through light today? How does the sacred manifest itself? In the past artists have often depicted the sacred by illustrating antiquity or decorating places of worship. But in an increasingly secular society, is the sacred still a subject for contemporary artists?

More than religion, what stands out in this group of works is the idea of a universal sacredness, inherent in the existence of mankind, and yet one that will resonate with each individual in a multitude of different ways.