In this unprecedented era, contemporary man, especially Western man, is at a crossroads. At the top of a skyscraper, he contemplates the world, reflects on his past, and weighs future paths. It is as if he has the power to acquire, or even destroy, everything he sees. Yet, despite the prospect of the abyss, he senses the freedom of a sudden change, a turning point toward healing.
It is not yet too late. The lessons of the past, the struggles and sacrifices, have given us a precious opportunity. On the one hand, there is the teaching of the great masters, the “inner way”; on the other, the progress and Western achievements that made it possible to reach the current height. To give an example, Ai Weiwei, through his political and social engagement in art, has fused the Chinese artistic tradition with Western modernity, resulting in works of great emotional and conceptual impact. In addition, Olafur Eliasson has created works that explore sensory perception and human interaction with the environment, combining Western and Eastern elements.
Contemporary Western art — digital, technological, and performative — emancipated from the chains of religious traditions, stands as an exciting path offered by the West. It is a unique language, rich in Western history and in the evolution of human expression.
This art can now integrate Eastern teachings on meditation, balance, and the search for emptiness into a fruitful embrace. The meeting point between these two hemispheres can take place in contemporary art, in that relentless search carried out by modern artists, who are supposed to show the way, illuminating new expressive paths for humanity. The fusion between East and West, transformed into a new synthesis, may be the way.
Art, with its evolving language, detached from religious traditions, has almost turned into an alternative path of inquiry. It is as if, in a sense, the Westerner had prayed through it.
We might be tempted to see the West as the materialistic face of contemporary civilization and the East as the bastion of inner depth. However, it would be a mistake to reduce Western achievements solely to technological progress.
Ultimately, contemporary art, with its universal and ever-changing language, can become the meeting point where cultural diversity turns into an opportunity for mutual enrichment. Through dialogue between East and West, art not only explores new expressive frontiers but also invites us to reflect on our identity, our interconnection, and the possibilities for a more inclusive and harmonious world.
Every work of art becomes a reflection of this fusion, a tangible testimony to the ongoing dialogue between cultures. We are called to celebrate this diversity, to embrace its many influences, and to cultivate a vision that honors both the richness of the past and the promises of the future.
In this journey toward cultural synthesis, contemporary art not only bears witness to our shared history but also embodies the hope for a world where differences are celebrated and diversity is the true essence of humanity.
A journey into the aura of key practices and figures of spirituality and performance art between body, gesture and vision.
Fondazione CROSS
Ente del Terzo Settore
Via Canton Sopra 2
28010 Nebbiuno (NO)
tel. +39 351 8081786
Email: info@crossproject.it
PEC: associazionelis@pec.it
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A journey into the aura of key practices and figures of spirituality and performance art between body, gesture and vision.
