"Foodporn" installed in Church for Lent
Lenten cloths in churches are increasingly designed by artists who refer to current topics. Criticism of consumerism and excess is visible in a "foodporn" installation in the parish of St. Andrä in Graz.
Already 1,000 years ago, it was customary to cover the altar area during the pre-Easter penitential or Lenten period. People as sinners were supposed to see that they could not see God, which is called "fasting for the eyes". In the course of time, the initially simple cloths became more elaborate.
After the Second World War, contemporary artists took over the design of the fasting cloths in many parishes. They often make references to current political and social issues. This year, too, a number of contemporary works of art and installations can be seen in churches during the 40-day Lent period (from Ash Wednesday to the Easter Vigil on 11 April). Lent is considered a time of reflection, repentance and conversion.
"Foodporn" and "Cruise"
In the parish of St. Andrä in Graz, for example, 40 "foodporn" pictures (food painted in oil) by Styrian artist Erwin Lackner are set up in the rows of pews, "which may spoil the appetite for God", according to the website of the Catholic Church of Styria. The pictures symbolise the abundance that one part of humanity enjoys while the other part suffers from hunger.
The installation "Cruise" - also by Erwin Lackner - can be understood as a reaction to the treatment of refugees. There are two crossed boats lying in front of the altar. They express the impossibility of moving on, according to the Catholic Church of Styria.
Signs in the sanctuary
A baroque priest's chair by Franz Konrad, wrapped with fire hoses, is meant to point out "that we can only extinguish the burning problems of this world together", according to the text accompanying the actions in St. Andrä.
An armchair wrapped with red fire hoses. Lenten installation by Franz Konrad in the church of St. Andrä in Graz.Alois Kölbl
In an interview with Ö1, Gustav Schörghofer, an Austrian Jesuit and pastor to artists, explained why works of art find a place in churches during Lent in particular, saying that the service of the word on Ash Wednesday can be designed relatively freely and that Lent is a good time to make a statement in the sanctuary.
After the Second World War, one wanted to show artists that they were an important part of the Church, said Schörghofer. The reduction in art that often emerged at that time also played an important role. Because Lent also calls for reduction.
Lenten cloth in Innsbruck Cathedral.
"GOOD GOD"
This year's Lenten cloth in Innsbruck Cathedral is a light installation by the German artist Via Lewandowsky. Depending on whether the second "O" is lit or not, one reads "GOOD" (good) or "GOD" (God). "The lettering invites in a meditative way to deal with the image of a 'good God'," said Vicar General Florian Huber at the presentation of the work.
Also in Innsbruck, in the Spitalskirche, hangs a Lenten cloth with word creations by Wilfried Schatz. The artist plays with concepts around consumption, meaning, pleasure and suffering, and creates new meaning with his word combinations. The Lenten cloth is an invitation to escape the hustle and bustle of the street and to meditate on word creations - such as the "Sinnventur" - in the church, said church rector Jakob Bürgler, according to a statement on Wednesday.
Lenten cloth with word creations by Wilfried Schatz in the Spitalskirche in InnsbruckDiocese of Innsbruck/Hölbling
A jumper for charity
In St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, the baroque high altar was covered for Lent by the Austrian artist Erwin Wurm with an 80-square-metre, 200-kilogram purple or cyclamen-coloured knitted jumper. According to the press release, this is a reminder of the "priority of warming charity" in the time leading up to Easter - read more in St. Stephen's Cathedral: Wurm puts on jumper for high altar.
Since 2013, the Lenten cloth in St. Stephen's Cathedral has been a "changeable projection surface for the contemporary artistic examination of the Easter penitential season", as the cathedral parish of St. Stephen's has announced.
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