Constructing the Sacred Encounter: Body and Space of Antony Gormley (1950-

Why value the visual arts in popular culture driven by the progression of technology to entertain and satiate the desire for immediate gratification? What is the meaning, worth, and power of the visual arts in contemporary culture? This thesis seeks to explore the contemporary relationship between art and religion through the viewers' experience. Specifically, an experience which develops into a sacred encounter. The sacred encounter involves the religious, contemplative, and sublime experience through viewer recognition of their own meaning, value, and purpose. This thesis includes how the intention of the artist enables the viewer to engage in questions of meaning transcendent of the everyday experience. Additionally, how the sacred encounter is discussed by the viewer, artist, and scholar contributes to meaning and value of the artwork in contemporary culture. Selected works by well-known British artist Antony Gormley (1950--), whose concern resides within the human experience will be the main example in exploring sacred encounters as a contemporary connection between art and religion. Gormley presents a moment in time using the human form in communion with the world confronting questions of experience. The viewer contemplates meaning, purpose, and perhaps the transcendent nature of the encounter through the reflexive nature of the artists' sculptures and installations. The artist engages the public through his own religious and childhood experiences within the image of the body and surrounding space. Art was once seen as a conduit whereby questions of life were explored however, that intrinsic purpose in a contemporary, technologically driven society has devalued this kind of engagement with art objects whereby every experience is relegated to whether or not the immediate need for pleasure was met. This thesis will emphasize that art and its objects or images have the potential still, to engage in dialogue beyond the everyday superficial encounter.