Why Is Modern Art So Ugly?! | The Deep

Watch the short film "In the Space Between Ages" on Zeale: https://zeale.co/video/in-the-space-between-ages

After Notre Dame unveiled its new, modernist stained-glass windows and reignited an old debate, Erika sat down with sculptor Dony MacManus to ask why modern art is so ugly – and what sacred beauty still demands of us. A bracing conversation on art, suffering, freedom, and faith.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: Why is modern art so ugly? 1:45 - Sculpting a monument for the U.S. Navy 3:25 - Becoming an artist, turning towards the light 6:24 - Creativity and freedom is found within constraints 9:39 - Drawing is contemplating reality visually 12:50 - How smartphones kill creativity 14:32 - AI art = anti incarnational 15:07 - Art history: how did we get to modern art that’s so ugly? 18:54 - Ugly art comes from ugly thought (truth leads to beauty) 23:31 - Why are we not allowed to criticize modern art?  28:00 - Western tradition created beautiful art because it was centered on Jesus Christ (the mass) 30:38 - Childlike delight in God’s creation 37:28 - Conclusion: watch the film on Zeale!

Links:

Short film “In the Space Between Ages”: https://zeale.co/video/in-the-space-between-ages

Dony’s show on Zeale.co: https://zeale.co/shows/clash-of-the-masters

Roger Scruton’s “Why Beauty Matters”: https://vimeo.com/549715999

Want more Deep? Check out our new home! https://zeale.co/podcasts/the-deep

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