What is Art? Is art useful in a pandemic?

• Main Author: Javellana, René, SJ
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2020
• Subjects: Art and Design; Arts and Humanities
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/magisterial-lectures/20; https://archium.ateneo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=magisterial-lectures
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

In this lecture, Fr. Javellana teaches us how to read a painting, Pieter Bruegel's Dull Griet (Mad Meg). He discusses how artistic expression arises from human experience, and how it can help us make sense of the world's madness. Speaker: René Javellana, S.J., is a Jesuit priest, writer, liturgical artist and art historian. He is currently an associate professor at Ateneo de Manila University, where he was the director of the Fine Arts Program and creative director of Jesuit Communications. He holds a master’s degree in theology. His research interests include colonial architecture and art in Asia; renaissance imprints and cultural dissemination; heritage conservation; popular religion and globalization; art, spirituality and religion; contemporary visual arts; art and communication theory; film, media and society; and online education. His inclination to the study of arts was for the reason that he considers art as a catalyst and mediator of cultural change. His interests lie in the intersection of cultures and institutions and the intersection of eras.