Symbols, art and the use of logos

[M-Dent]

The use of symbols and art has always been an integral part of human expression. It has a unique role in Christianity. God used many signs and symbols in Sacred Scripture to help reveal complex truths to humanity. The display of Sacred Symbols and Art can be found in Churches and Museums and can be helpful in prayerful reflection.

The Papacy has a rich history of utilizing symbols in coats of arms, flags, and mottos, yet, does the use of symbols in logos offer you any insight or provoke thought of an event or specific mission of the pilgrim Church. The use of logos is commonplace today. Though, at times the work of some artists selected (to create logos) appear to have a rich history in art - while others appear to lean more towards modern graphic art.

An example;

Presentation of the Logo for the ‘Year of Consecrated Life’

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...nsacrata/img/logo-anno-vita-consacrata_en.jpg

The symbols of the Logo

*The dove on the water *
The dove is the classical symbol of the action of the Holy Spirit, who is the source of life and the inspirer of creativity. This is a flash-back to the origin of history: in the beginning the Spirit of God moved on the waters (cf Gen 1,2). The dove, gliding above a sea swollen with yet unexpressed life, symbolizes a patient and hope-filled fecundity, while the symbols around it reveal the creative and renewing action of the Spirit. The dove also evokes the consecration of the humanity of Christ through baptism.

The waters are made of mosaic fragments; they indicate the complexity and the harmony of the human and cosmic elements that are made to “groan” by the Spirit according to God’s mysterious plans (cf Rom 8, 26-27) so that they may converge into the hospitable and fruitful encounter that leads to a new creation. The dove flies among the waves of history, above the waters of the deluge (cf Gen 8, 8-14). The men and women, whose consecration was marked by the Gospel, have always been pilgrims among the nations; they live their various charismatic and diaconal presence like “good administrators of the multiform grace of God” (1Pt 4,10); they are marked by the Cross of Christ, even unto martyrdom; they journey through history equipped with the wisdom of the Gospel; indeed, a Church that embraces and heals all that is human in Christ.

The three stars
These stand for the identity of consecrated life as confessio Trinitatis, signum fraternitatis e servitium caritatis. They express the circular relationships found in the Trinitarian love, which consecrated life is called to live daily in the world. The stars also hint to the triple halo used in the Byzantine iconography to honor Mary, the Mother of God, the first Disciple of Christ and model and patron of every consecrated life.

The polyhedral globe
The small polyhedral globe symbolizes the planet with its myriad variety of nations and cultures, as explained by Pope Francis (cf EG 236). It is the breath of the Spirit that sustains it and leads it towards the future: an invitation to all consecrated persons “to become bearers of the Spirit (pneumatophoroi), authentically spiritual men and women, capable of endowing history with hidden fruitfulness” (VC 6).

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• The artist that designed the Logo for the Year of the Consecrated Life*

The creation of the Logo for the Year of the Consecrated Life was entrusted to the artist CARMELA BOCCASILE of the Dellino Art Studio, founded in 1970 (Bari – Rome, Italy) by Lillo Dellino and Carmela Boccasile.

For these artists, painting is an ‘icon’ both in the formal and in the original sense; that is, it is an invitation, an encounter and a dialogue. Every artistic symbol is intended and lived as a window on the visible that intuits and introduces to the invisible: an icon that as a symbol transcends the idol and opens up to the divine. This is a concept that follows closely the indications that the Fathers of the Church, during the II Council of Nicaea (787), gave regarding sacred art.

I’m curious if you find the common use of logos helpful, not very noticeable, confusing - or even too mundane?

 

[Dorothy]

The use of symbols and art has always been an integral part of human expression. It has a unique role in Christianity. God used many signs and symbols in Sacred Scripture to help reveal complex truths to humanity. The display of Sacred Symbols and Art can be found in Churches and Museums and can be helpful in prayerful reflection.

The Papacy has a rich history of utilizing symbols in coats of arms, flags, and mottos, yet, does the use of symbols in logos offer you any insight or provoke thought of an event or specific mission of the pilgrim Church. The use of logos is commonplace today. Though, at times the work of some artists selected (to create logos) appear to have a rich history in art - while others appear to lean more towards modern graphic art.

An example;

I’m curious if you find the common use of logos helpful, not very noticeable, confusing - or even too mundane?

I very much enjoy various kinds of logos designs and I appreciate the explanations of the parts I do not understand.

 

[friardchips]

I’m curious if you find the common use of logos helpful, not very noticeable, confusing - or even too mundane?

Some logos are better than others. They are fascinating in terms of the semiotics. The one in your example is very pleasing. Having a certain interest in such things, I would be expected to be of this opinion. It is great that the Church uses the visual arts in such a way. Catholic symbols are deeply spiritual and holy in their significance e.g:- the ones used for the ‘Year of Mercy’ booklets.

 

[porthos11]

The use of symbols and art has always been an integral part of human expression. It has a unique role in Christianity. God used many signs and symbols in Sacred Scripture to help reveal complex truths to humanity. The display of Sacred Symbols and Art can be found in Churches and Museums and can be helpful in prayerful reflection.

The Papacy has a rich history of utilizing symbols in coats of arms, flags, and mottos, yet, does the use of symbols in logos offer you any insight or provoke thought of an event or specific mission of the pilgrim Church. The use of logos is commonplace today. Though, at times the work of some artists selected (to create logos) appear to have a rich history in art - while others appear to lean more towards modern graphic art.

An example;

I’m curious if you find the common use of logos helpful, not very noticeable, confusing - or even too mundane?

Logos are a good thing, but as the old adage, says, “there’s no accounting for taste.”

Some logos are well executed and convey their message with little or no explanation but still possess great artistic merit: truth in beauty.

Other logos are simply unspeakable from an aesthetic point of view.

Personally, I would lean towards logos that are built on iconographic or heraldic principles, designed by artists who understand these principles, not just people who know how to draw.

 

[amsjj]

I’ve seen some that I couldn’t figure out what they were supposed to be. Once I was told, then I understood the message it conveyed, but design of the symbol is also important.

Interesting post!