My work deals with the relation between religion and capitalism,
which is depicted in a scenery of architectural landscapes/cityscapes.
These landscapes show the contours
of an imaginary city. A city
which breathes the human ambition towards power and status.
Its large scale buildings reminds us of the industrial utopia’s which
prevailed in the human mind, but failed to shine or provide peace
and humanity in the real world.The most prominent facet of this
city is perhaps its appearance, from which one can easily read that
the main ideology of its inhabitants is Capitalism. But this ideology
is beginning to manifest itself in a religious manner, and will maybe
even become a religion itself.
And in a way that it will be seen as a redeemer.
The city shows the self-confidence of an utopia but also the emptiness
of a deserted ruin. The over towering Art Deco skyscrapers stand proud
like medieval cathedrals, their decoration reminds us of the rich symbolism
of the early Christian art, with all its references to spiritual suppression
and revelation. The skyscrapers cast their shadow over desolate and
damaged monuments which represent the lost moral standards and
values of humanity, which have been exchanged for the never-ending
spiritual search for capitalist redemption, which provides us with the luxury
and convenience of modern day life.
