Marina Warner and T.J. Clark Discuss Art, Religion, and Enchantment in North London Conversation
ArtReview facilitated a dialogue between cultural historian Marina Warner and art historian T.J. Clark at Warner's residence in North London, marking their inaugural discussion. Warner's publication, 'Forms of Enchantment,' investigates the connections between art and religion since the Renaissance, while Clark's work, 'Heaven on Earth,' focuses on artists such as Bruegel and Veronese. Warner reflected on how her Catholic upbringing shaped her views, highlighting Titian's 'Assumption of the Virgin' (1515–18). Clark pointed out the significance of human experiences within religious art. They examined the interplay between visual art and belief systems, referencing Barthes' concept of 'punctum' and discussing the role of imperfection in religious perspectives. They also acknowledged modern aniconism and realism, citing artists like Joan Jonas and Kiki Smith. Both titles are published by Thames & Hudson.
Key facts
- Marina Warner and T.J. Clark had their first conversation in Warner's North London sitting room, hosted by ArtReview.
- Warner's book 'Forms of Enchantment: Writings on Art and Artists' explores art, religion, and imagination since the Renaissance.
- Clark's book 'Heaven on Earth: Painting and the Life to Come' examines artists like Bruegel and Veronese imagining transformed worlds.
- Warner discussed her Catholic upbringing's influence on viewing religious imagery, citing Titian's 'Assumption of the Virgin' (1515–18).
- Clark referenced John Ruskin's engagement with Venetian art and Roland Barthes' concept of the punctum from 'Camera Lucida' (1980).
- Warner mentioned contemporary artists like Joan Jonas, Kiki Smith, and Cristina Iglesias, whose 'Tres Aguas' (2014) is in Toledo.
- Clark discussed Veronese's 'Allegories of Love' (ca. 1570) in London's National Gallery and Gerhard Richter's 'October 18, 1977' (1988).
- Both books are published by Thames & Hudson.
Entities
Artists
- Marina Warner
- T.J. Clark
- Bruegel
- Veronese
- Titian
- Tintoretto
- Manet
- Hans Baldung Grien
- Joan Jonas
- Kiki Smith
- Cristina Iglesias
- William Blake
- Arthur Rimbaud
- Marina Abramović
- Rachel Kneebone
- Kazimir Malevich
- Gerhard Richter
- Jonas Dahlberg
- Mika Rottenberg
- Nicholas Poussin
- James Castle
- Rose Wylie
- Henry Darger
- Max Weber
- Friedrich Schiller
- John Ruskin
- William Morris
- Sylvia Plath
Institutions
- ArtReview
- University of California, Berkeley
- National Gallery, London
- Tate Modern
- MoMA, New York
- Touchstones, Rochdale
- Centre Pompidou
- LACMA
- National Gallery of Art, Washington
- Thames & Hudson
Locations
- North London
- Venice
- Toledo
- New York
- Rochdale
- Bristol
- South Lancashire
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Washington
- Chauvet
- Altamira