Together, a trinity of teacup shards are positioned to reimagine their past by means of an intact and whole teacup. A golden halo is made to appear delicately floating above the composition, although a closer look reveals that the halo has been affixed to surrounding trees; what stands before us is a fabrication, perhaps another golden calf.
Despite recalling his time hiding in the former monastery in Vilna as his first authentic religious experience, Sam refers to himself today as a “God-fearing Atheist.” With Bak’s iconic question mark shaping the teacup’s handle, it is clear that the artist’s intention with Sainthood is to guide others in the art of asking questions; more specifically, perhaps Sainthood is a testament to the importance of questioning one’s faith and the figures and people one’s religion have designated as “holy.” Who decides who – or what – is worthy of a halo, such as the one given to our battered and broken-down “teapot?” As a former teacher, Bak’s insistence on promoting viewers to ask questions is always a delight to see. After all, you must ask a question to get an answer!
Lucy McGing (Guest writer)
BAK a Day, March 16, 2024
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Who confers Sainthood on a mere Cup. The artist of course as he manages to visually describe our human needs and frailties.
He can place the omnipresent Cup on an altar or pedestal and. include an intact cup and add a halo. Suddenly the Cup has been anointed as a Saint.
As the Church continues to advance Pius XII to Sainthood against the backdrop of David Kertzer's fine book, "The Pope's War," we should pause and ask what constitutes a Saint?
The Blue handle serves as a graphic notice to question all such attempts.
Sainthood. Let us hope that true events and bad if not hate filled decisions should aid the Church in withholding this designation.
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