Andrej Kapcár
Masaryk University
Portrait of the Unknown: Occult Tendencies in Modern and Postmodern Visual Art Movements
Sometimes a 5-pointed star is just a 5-pointed star. Visual art, as well as art in general has been
always closely connected to most of the religions. But can the creation of art also be considered as
part of a ritual? The early 20-century avant-garde movements were trying to prove for it to be the case.
The surrealists, later futurists, or suprematists practiced techniques better known in spirituality, they
aimed to transcend the borders of reality, not to mention many of the artists being active members of
several occult groups. This paper is aimed at the understanding of the occult praxis and ritual
participation of the artist by the creation of his art.
Portrait of the Unknown: Occult Tendencies in Modern and Postmodern Visual Art Movements
Sometimes a 5-pointed star is just a 5-pointed star. Visual art, as well as art in general has been always closely connected to most of the religions. But can the creation of art also be considered as part of a ritual? The early 20-century avant-garde movements were trying to prove for it to be the case. The surrealists, later futurists, or suprematists practiced techniques better known in spirituality, they aimed to transcend the borders of reality, not to mention many of the artists being active members of several occult groups. This paper is aimed at the understanding of the occult praxis and ritual participation of the artist by the creation of his art.