Review: The Importance of Art of the Past Informing Art of the Present.

I recently visited an exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, displaying the works of contemporary video artist Bill Viola alongside Renaissance master Michelangelo. The exhibition unpicked the theme of 'Life, Death and Rebirth', which was a motif that was not only evident in the physical exhibition, but was a thought that resonated with me as I reflected on the art. It brought to my attention how 'Life, Death and rebirth' was actually apparent within the art industry itself. The exhibition explored how the symbolism of a 15th century artist could still be echoed in the present day, essentially, reborn, into another form.

This 'birth' in a sense, was for me, apparent in the shift in religious focus . It seemed Michelangelo's sketches outlined the thoughts of the time. The iconographic pieces displayed Christ's resurrection, the pure saintliness of this figure, ascending into the opening skies. Yet, when placed alongside Viola's work, it seemed that the contemporary video, or the curator of the exhibition, was perhaps commenting on the ever secularising society.

What was displayed, was the cycle of life. A triptych consisting of a woman in a water birth; something so natural, yet so captivating with the enormity of the screen in which it was projected on. To the right, a woman on her death bed. The reality that was the video, shocked me into silence at first. Whilst most were surrounded around the mother in labour, in awe of the beauty of her struggles, I felt an isolation in the elderly woman's distant gaze, that I hadn't felt when observing Christ on the cross. It felt this piece lacked the hope of resurrection Michelangelo's piece radiated. It felt tragic yet so real. I felt the visitors who were admiring the new life emerging, were moving on too quickly to the next room, scared to face this truth. People don't like to see other people suffering, understandably, that's an innate quality that unifies us. But, this woman, gaunt and absent, made me view life as this sacred gift. Although the reality of the video was seemingly harsh, it presented an alternate view, so often are we comforted in art, through this enlightened figure, showing us hope, light and guidance. It is distressing to see the nature a woman loosing the colour in her face. Yet equally it shows, the only thing we are really certain on, is times inevitable progression, thus Viola was perhaps showing that life... now...is the source of light and beauty.