Autori: Neda Cvijetić, Maxim Vasiljević
Strana: 76
► Ostali detalji

Four well-known professors – Archimandrite John Pantelimon Manoussakis, associate Professor of Philosophy at the College of the Holy Cross in Boston, MA, Cornelia Tsakiridou, Professor of Philosophy at LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA, George Kordis, professor Emeritus of Iconography at University of Athens, and bishop Maxim Vasiljević, professor of Patristics at the University of Belgrade – give us various insights into Christian Orthodox Icons, their beauty, meaning, and their future in 21st century. They reflections on the topic from the perspective of Orthodox Christian images or icons were originally presented at the Symposium on the Aesthetics of Christian Image, held at Stanford University on March 5, 2016. For these authors working within Tradition is not merely the repetition of old models, but rather the application of immutable priniples in solving contemporary pictorial problems. They also present a theological aesthetic in which God is to be reached throught the sense, including the relationship between person and icon …

Contents

Foreword
Neda Cvijetic, 7

The Vision of the Invisible:
A Brief Statement on the Phenomenology of Icons John Panteleimon Manoussakis, 11

Aesthetic Nepsis and Enargeia in the Icon
Dr. Cornelia Tsakiridou, 27

Creating a Christian image in a Postmodern World
George D. Kordis , 45

Postscript on the Icon and Digital Iconicity
Maxim (Vasiljević) , 65


Foreword
Neda Cvijetic

The inspiration for this event was first sparked by a conversation about the various forms of media and social media that constandy surround us with images that present or promote a certain aesthetic. But long before selfies on Instagram, the idea of the image was fundamental in the Christian understanding of the human person as created in the image of God. This then raised the question—what is the aesthetic of a Christian image?

In this book, we present the reflections of three outstanding scholars on this topic from the perspective of Orthodox Christian images, or icons. These essays were originally presented at the Symposium on the Aesthetics of the Christian Image, held at Stanford University on March 5, 2016.

The first essay, “The Vision of the Invisible: a Phenomenology of Icons,” is authored by V. Reverend Archimandrite John Panteleimon Manoussakis, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the College of the Holy Cross in Boston MA and author of the book “God after Metaphysics: a Theological Aesthetic.” In his essay, Prof. Manoussakis explains that icons are not mere objects of a “bygone art”, meant to be viewed by an audience. Rather, icons depict deified Persons whom we cannot fully see or grasp, but who sec us and by seeing us, help us sec ourselves.

The second essay, titled “ The Orthodox Icon: Aesthetic Nepsis, Enargeia, and Theophany," is presented by Cornelia Tsakiridou, Professor of Philosophy at La Salle University in Philadelphia, РA. and author of the book "Icons in Time, Persons in Eternity: Orthodox Theology and the Aesthetics of die Christian linage." In her essay, Prof. Tsakiridou discusses die concept of exemplary icons: icons, which through their aesthetic lines, colors, shapes—come “alive” and aesthetically reveal the presence of grace. Prof. Tsakiridou contends that, through such a revelation of grace, an exemplary icon is in some sense analogous to miraculous (e.g. myrrh streaming) icons.

The third essay, “Creating a Christian Image in a (Post) Modern Work!" is authored by George Kordis, Professor Emeritus of Iconography at the University of Athens, and author of die book "Icon as Communion: the Ideals and Compositional Principles of Icon Painting." In his essay. Dr. Kordis discusses both the theological and aesthetic aspects of icons and analyzes which elements of icons may change while remaining in die spirit of Orthodox Tradition. Moreover, die process of creating an icon hits much to offer to the post-modern world since, as Dr. Kordis notes “In a fragmented, self-centered society, die art of icon painting suggests a way of being that projects love ami unity and defines life as a communion of love and peace."

We had the honor and privilege of witnessing such an event on March 6,1016 at the Serbian Orthodox Church of Holy Archangel Michael in Saratoga, CA, where, as a followup to the Symposium, Dr. Kordis painted an icon of Archangel Michael live in front of almost 100 members of the church community. For almost ninety minutes, as Prof. Kordis painted and children and adults alike looked on in wonder, we could hear a pin drop in the large church hall. The feeling that we were coming into the presence of not merely an object, but a Person, was shared by all. In this way, through the blessings of Holy Archangel Michael, the words of our three distinguished Symposium speakers were confirmed in practice in an event that will long be remembered.

Ihe icon painting demonstration by Dr. Kordis may also be viewed online at

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) at Stanford led by OCF President Bryan Chcongfor hosting the Symposium on March 5, 2016 and promoting this event within the OCF and academic communities. Our deepest gratitude also goes out to the Holy Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Parish Community of the Western American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and V. Rev. Fr. Slobodan Jovic, for their unconditional support in hosting the live iconography demonstration on March 6,1016. Through these events, we were able to experience the aesthetic of the Christian image as the aesthetic that allows "Seeing the Invisible."