The Vatican Nativity scene, revealed last night. Its creators say it’s meant to have a contemporary and unconventional look influenced by ancient Gree

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Seemingly, auditions for The Vatican Nativity Scene 2021 are already underway!

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The Nativity scene featured several life-sized ceramic statues in a contemporary art style that “has its roots in the traditional working of Castelli’s ceramics,” said a statement from the commission.

The statues in St. Peter’s Square are “only a few pieces” of a 54-statue collection created by students and teachers of Castelli’s “F.A. Grue” Art Institute between 1965 and 1975 and included sculptural representations of the Magi and an angel placed above ceramic statues of the Holy Family.

The cylindrical ceramic statues surrounding Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus included a bagpiper, a shepherdess holding a jug and even an astronaut, meant to reference the history of ancient art and scientific achievements in the world.

…Thanking the delegations for their gifts, the pope said that “this year, more than ever, they are a sign of hope for the Roman people and for those pilgrims who will have the opportunity to come and admire them.”

Both the tree and the Nativity scene, Pope Francis said, create “a favorable Christmas atmosphere” that helps Christians “live the mystery of the Redeemer’s birth with faith.”

“In the creche, everything speaks of the ‘good’ poverty, the evangelical poverty, that makes us blessed,” he said. “By contemplating the Holy Family and the various characters, we are attracted by their disarming humility.”

 
I think a lot of art critique and history is just spin. They can say a piece of art is whatever they want.

I don’t buy it. So, they can say whatever they want and somehow make it sound like it “makes sense” but that isn’t what people see in their mind or feel in their heart.
Motherwit said:
Both the tree and the Nativity scene, Pope Francis said, create “a favorable Christmas atmosphere” that helps Christians “live the mystery of the Redeemer’s birth with faith.”
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Nope. Not for me. He is entitled to his opinion though, as am I.
 
You ever wonder if the Pope is secretly facepalming and asking God to give him the patience to say something nice about this “art” that someone else authorized?
 
Irishmom2 said:
I think a lot of art critique and history is just spin. They can say a piece of art is whatever they want.

I don’t buy it. So, they can say whatever they want and somehow make it sound like it “makes sense” but that isn’t what people see in their mind or feel in their heart.
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I agree that there is art out there that’s a scam but this nativity set has lasted the test of time. It was made half a century ago and was meant to have a contemplative aspect around the Christmas story. “…stopping only at the aesthetic of the creche risks missing the point.” said Pope Francis.

You would at least have to agree that the ‘executioner’ representing the ugliness and evil of death, does evoke those senses especially in the events of 2020?
 
Tis_Bearself said:
You ever wonder if the Pope is secretly facepalming and asking God to give him the patience to say something nice about this “art” that someone else authorized?
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I’m more willing to believe that Pope Francis has the gift of seeing beauty in everything. (Except the Pharisees)

 
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Irishmom2 said:
No, I’m sorry. I don’t agree. And that’s okay.
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Fair enough. My daughter has nearly finished a fine arts degree and she is very traditional in her work but one project was to do with anthropomorphism. This is what she came up with. I had it in the living room for a while until my husband had to cover it with a table cloth.
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That piece by your daughter is actually kind of interesting. It reminds me of a monkey, a tree, and a nut simultaneously, and it caused me to look at it for several minutes thinking about which it resembled the most.

I might have the same reaction to the sci-fi Nativity scene if it was not in a “sacred art” context.
 
It just freaked her father out. lol.
Tis_Bearself said:
That piece by your daughter is actually kind of interesting. It reminds me of a monkey, a tree, and a nut simultaneously, and it caused me to look at it for several minutes thinking about which it resembled the most.
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She was going for a tree trunk. One of her fellow students commented “Groot’s let himself go” (referring to Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy), so she titled it ‘Grunk’.
 
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vz71 said:
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Motherwit:
The cylindrical ceramic statues surrounding Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus included a bagpiper, a shepherdess holding a jug and even an astronaut
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Little known fact…
One of the wise men was from low earth orbit.
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2000 years apart they both represent human interest in the heavens, no?
 
looks like pachamama #2…also what is up with the astronaut, and what in the world is it holding…not even speaking of the demon behind him.
 
I am actually very pleased by the nativity scene this year.

But then, especially as I have gotten older, I prefer either primitive art – or abstract, such as the one of which I have attached a photo.

This year’s scene reminds me somewhat of a primitive South American nativity set that was a gift I received many years ago. (Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
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