Living with gods: exhibition tour

Summary

The transcript explores humanity's deep connection with objects and symbols throughout history, from tools of survival to spiritual artifacts. It touches on the development of human consciousness during the Ice Age, religious practices across cultures, and how fire and light have unified beliefs. It highlights the shared human experience of death, ritual, and belief, even amidst conflict, such as in Soviet atheism. The narrative reflects on timelessness, the continuity of life, and the universal need for meaning, with powerful examples like the Lion Man and the Non Producer Cross.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Human identity is shaped by turning thoughts into objects, tools, and symbols, reflecting success and deeper meaning.
• 🧠 The development of the human mind during the Ice Age raised questions about existence and the relationship between nature and humanity.
• 🔥 Fire is a significant symbol across cultures, from survival in the Ice Age to religious rituals like the eternal flame in Zoroastrianism.
• 🙏 Rituals and objects, such as prayer beads, candles, and fire, unite different faiths and emphasize shared beliefs despite differences.
• ⏳ Patience and humility are core virtues across various religions, reflected in sculptures and religious icons.
• 💀 Human awareness of death has led to various cultural approaches to funerals, emphasizing community and the continuation of life after death.
• ⛪ Conflict in religion is highlighted by artifacts like the crucifix, which forced Christians into moral dilemmas during historical persecutions.
• 🚀 The portrayal of scientific atheism shows how Soviet propaganda tried to undermine religion, symbolized by a cosmonaut rejecting God while in space.
• 💔 The tragedy of the Non Producer Cross represents the loss of life during a ship sinking, with a priest offering comfort through simple means, symbolizing hope and survival.
• 🦁 The Lion Man sculpture serves as a timeless reminder that despite technological advancements, humanity's core needs and spiritual search remain unchanged over 40,000 years.

Q & A

What distinguishes modern humans according to the speaker?

Modern humans are distinguished by their ability to turn thoughts into objects, tools, and symbols. This process of creating tools and symbolic representations sets humans apart.

What role did fire play for early humans during the Ice Age?

During the Ice Age, fire was essential for warmth, cooking, and protection from wild animals. It was a focal point of human activity and survival.

Why is the 40,000-year-old object significant?

The 40,000-year-old object is significant because it has been handled by many people, acquiring a well-worn patina through human contact, possibly symbolizing a connection to its spiritual meaning.

How does the speaker interpret the role of ritual and symbolism in human culture?

The speaker emphasizes that ritual and symbolism in human culture, like lighting candles or using prayer beads, unite people across religions by focusing on shared beliefs and practices rather than on differences.

What is the significance of the eternal flame in Zoroastrianism?

The eternal flame in Zoroastrianism represents the god Ahura Mazda and symbolizes the eternal nature of their monotheistic belief system, which was one of the earliest known faiths to worship a single deity.

How are death and funerary practices viewed across different cultures?

Death and funerary practices are viewed as a continuation of life across many cultures, with rituals that emphasize community, remembrance, and respect for the deceased. The speaker mentions elaborate funerals in West Africa and the concept of 'a good death' in other cultures.

What does the object of the priest being forced to step on a crucifix represent?

The object represents the conflict between religion and authority, showing how people were forced to desecrate religious symbols under threat of punishment. It highlights the tension between faith and the pressure to conform to oppressive regimes.

What is the significance of the cosmonaut saying 'I see no God' in the artwork?

This artwork symbolizes scientific atheism, representing the Soviet Union's attempt to replace religious belief with a faith in the state and science. The cosmonaut's statement contrasts with traditional religious imagery, illustrating the ideological conflict of the time.

Why is the 'Non-Producere Cross' considered a powerful symbol?

The 'Non-Producere Cross' is powerful because it was made from the wood of ships involved in a tragic sinking, symbolizing the immense loss of life and the efforts of a priest to give what little he had to those in need.

How does the speaker connect the 'Lion Man' sculpture to modern humanity?

The speaker reflects that despite 40,000 years of history, humans have not changed much in terms of what they need and how they seek meaning. The 'Lion Man' represents the timelessness of human desires, rituals, and the need to connect with something greater.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Exploring Human Thought and Symbolism

This paragraph discusses how modern humans distinguish themselves through their ability to turn thoughts into objects like tools and weapons. It reflects on the symbolism in human culture, particularly during the last Ice Age in Europe, when early humans asked existential questions about their place in nature. The focus shifts to an ancient artifact, a 40,000-year-old figure, symbolizing human interaction and ritual, suggesting it was used in ceremonies. This artifact's worn surface implies close human contact, creating a connection between object and spirit. The text highlights the timelessness of this artifact and the symbolism of fire as central to both survival and religious rituals, linking ancient and modern practices.

05:00

🕊️ Common Religious Rituals Across Cultures

This paragraph examines the universal elements of religious practices across different cultures and faiths. It reflects on shared human rituals, such as lighting candles in Jewish Sabbath rituals, and emphasizes how fire, water, and other elements unite religious beliefs. It highlights the presence of humility and patience across major religions, using artifacts like a limestone sculpture from Giza. The focus then shifts to the significance of beads in religious practices, spanning Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. It also discusses the concept of death and its ritualistic importance in cultures, showing that many faiths view death as a continuation of life in a different form.

Keywords

💡Symbolism

Symbolism refers to the act of representing abstract ideas or concepts through symbols or objects. In the script, the speaker emphasizes how humans distinguish themselves by turning thoughts into objects and tools, and by symbolizing ideas. For example, the ancient use of fire symbolizes life and protection, while rituals involving objects like candles and prayer beads symbolize deeper spiritual meanings.

💡Lion Man

The 'Lion Man' is an ancient 40,000-year-old artifact that symbolizes the development of human consciousness and identity. The narrator reflects on how this object, worn by human hands over millennia, signifies the early human realization of being part of nature, yet distinct from it due to tools, clothing, and fire. The object also conveys a timeless sense of spirituality and connection to human rituals.

💡Rituals

Rituals are structured practices or ceremonies that hold religious or spiritual significance. Throughout the script, the importance of rituals across cultures and religions is highlighted. From the Jewish Sabbath to ancient Persian fire worship, rituals are depicted as essential for human connection, faith, and even survival. The speaker notes how rituals involving fire, candles, and beads unite people through shared beliefs.

💡Eternal Flame

The eternal flame is a symbol of divine presence and continuity, particularly in ancient Persian religion where it represents the god Asura Mazda. In the video, fire is a recurring symbol that ties various rituals together, from ancient to modern times. The eternal flame signifies the power of fire as a focal point for human activities, symbolizing both the practical (keeping warm) and the spiritual (connection to God).

💡Humility

Humility is presented as a key virtue in religious practices and prayers. The speaker refers to a limestone sculpture from Giza, which exudes a sense of patience and humility. This concept is tied to religious devotion and is portrayed as a shared value across different faiths, where patience and humility help individuals connect with the divine.

💡Human Contact

Human contact refers to the physical interaction between people and objects, which imbues those objects with meaning. In the script, the worn surface of the Lion Man artifact symbolizes how it has been touched and used by countless individuals, reflecting a deep connection between humans and their material culture. This human contact enhances the spiritual significance of objects.

💡Conflict in Religion

Conflict in religion refers to the tensions and struggles caused by differing religious beliefs. The script discusses how objects, such as a crucifix, were used during religious persecutions, forcing individuals to symbolically betray their faith by stepping on sacred icons. This conflict highlights the profound emotional and spiritual struggles faced by people under oppressive regimes.

💡Scientific Atheism

Scientific atheism is the rejection of religious belief in favor of empirical, scientific understanding. In the video, a cosmonaut in space symbolizes this atheistic perspective, stating that he 'sees no God,' while the church is depicted as falling behind him. This scene contrasts religious faith with the secular, scientific worldview that dominated certain political regimes, such as Soviet Russia.

💡Shared Beliefs

Shared beliefs are the common values and practices that unite people across different cultures and religions. The script underscores how, despite differing religious doctrines, elements like fire, water, and rituals bring people together. The speaker suggests that focusing on how we believe, rather than what we believe, reveals the deep similarities that unite humanity.

💡Death Rituals

Death rituals are ceremonies or practices that help communities cope with death and honor the deceased. The script mentions elaborate funeral rituals in West Africa and how death is viewed as a continuation of life in many cultures. This concept ties into the broader theme of rituals, showing how different societies use practices to make sense of mortality and maintain a sense of connection to the departed.

Highlights

Modern humans define themselves by turning thoughts into objects, tools, and weapons for success.

Humans symbolize thoughts and represent worlds and beings beyond nature.

The Ice Age shows the development of the human mind and the question: 'What does it mean to be here?'

Humans, even 40,000 years ago, used tools and weapons, demonstrating their connection to nature yet distinct identity.

Ancient objects like the 40,000-year-old figure show signs of handling, suggesting it was part of rituals or intimate human interactions.

The figure may have been nurtured by humanity, with organic material on the mouth area suggesting it was 'fed.'

Fire has been a central element in human activity, both practically and symbolically, for protection and rituals.

Religious rituals like lighting candles connect people across cultures, sharing universal elements like fire and water.

Patience and humility are core elements in many religions, symbolized through sculptures and objects like the limestone sculpture from Giza.

Prayer beads originated in Buddhism, spreading across Asia, into Christianity, and back into Islam, showing a shared spiritual practice.

Death rituals vary globally, with elaborate ceremonies in West Africa and a focus on continuity of life after death.

Conflicts in religion are highlighted by objects like the crucifix used in the Inquisition, which forced priests to denounce their faith.

The Russian regime attempted to replace religious belief with loyalty to the socialist state, showing the depth of human need for rituals.

A cosmonaut declared he saw no God while in space, symbolizing scientific atheism and the fall of traditional religious beliefs.

The 'non producer cross,' made from the wood of a tragic shipwreck, represents a poignant response to human suffering and survival.

Transcripts

as modern people we define ourselves by

the fact that we think we're

distinguished by the fact that we turn

our thoughts into objects to tools and

weapons that give us success but we also

symbolize our thoughts

what do we symbolize worlds beyond

nature beings beyond nature as we turn

here we see Europe in the last ice age

and it shows the human mind developing

and asking that question what does it

mean to be here I'm part of all this

nature but I'm different I wear clothes

and I keep the fire going and I've got

tools and weapons 40,000 years old

it's an extraordinary figure it's

obviously been handled by a lot of human

hands it's the top of it even though it

has still maintained a beautiful patina

it's been well-worn and that must be to

do with human contact that can't just be

because of its preservation in the

ground the more intimate there with the

object I assume that means they're going

to be closer to the spirit of the object

yes the fascinating thing is in the

mouth area there there are signs of

organic material that suggests it might

also have been fed so they've talked to

it it's been part of rituals nurture and

they've been nurtured by humanity and

what's interesting though is when you

look at it it does have a great sense of

sort of timelessness of infinity

well of course the start of all creation

stories is light

this is a beautiful piece the colors the

way it's been done almost looks like

something that's very modern

a religion of ancient Persia and the

first faith that we know of to have one

God the concept of just one deity God

Asura Mazda is represented by the

eternal flame of the fire so the

iconography of fire

well it's something which has always

been there of course in the period of

the lion man keeping the fire going was

a vital activity because you needed the

world you needed to cook you needed

protection from wild animals so the fire

becomes the focal point of human

activities very very early on here we

look at the Jewish rituals of the

Sabbath this is obviously 2017 and these

are objects that are used today during

the traditional service of lighting

candles this is about how we worship how

we believe and that we believe is not so

much focused on what we believe because

when you look at how we believe we find

that we share so much more than what

divides us the the universal interesting

fire in water in candles and all of

these things unites us it shows that we

have a shared base and for me there's

some hope in that

[Music]

this is a limestone sculpture from Giza

which is now modern Iraq it has a sense

of patience in terms of her prayer and a

great sense of humility and if you look

at I think all of the broader group of

religions that you've presented here

patience and humility are two key

elements that's why I think this is one

of my favorite pieces here so here we

look at the many ways in which we focus

our prayers through beads they begin in

Buddhism spread out across Asia as far

as Japan spread out into Europe into

Christianity come back into Islam of

course humans have this awareness and

anxiety over death will find so many

ways in which to make death better in

West Africa the funeral service is very

very elaborate and the coming together

is very very useful for the community

I adore st. Joseph's and st. Joseph's is

about having a good death this

illustrates the fact that many cultures

see death as a continuation of life but

just in a different form yes yes

absolutely

I think that's across the world and

through many faiths this kind of ritual

we all share

[Music]

I've got to stop you here just because I

find this to be one of the most dramatic

pieces because it deals with this whole

notion of conflict in religion the

actual object itself

forcing a priest to put their foot on

the crucifix almost making worse the

suffering of Christ it's extraordinary

to make an art object which is for abuse

and you can see here the Inquisition

this process of people being asked to

stamp on this thing knowing that if you

were a Christian this is something you

just could not do but also knowing that

if they didn't stamp on this image then

their families and they would suffer and

you have this very extraordinary almost

sensationalized notion that the Russian

government is trying to hijack the

Christian faith here this is a regime

that has refused religion and yet

they're realizing in eighteen nineteen

eighty-five this is painted that they're

losing it that people have to have

rituals they have to have a belief so

they try and say well your belief needs

to be in the socialist state and it

shows you but a big deep enough these

are all these are all simple material

things which is not enough you have to

sort of search for the deeper meaning

that's interesting and then this one

this of course is scientific atheism

this is a cosmonaut walking in space

saying I see no God and the church

falling underneath and I love it how

he's almost like like a an angel you

haven't presented flying above a very

traditional Russian

[Music]

I think one of my other favorite objects

this non producer crosses 2014 very

beautiful but the tragedy underlying it

is very powerful yes this was a terrible

sinking of of a ship with a huge number

of lives lost

Franchesca touch oh he met Eritrea and

Somalia Christians in his church who

work with survivors but he didn't know

what to do with him not a wealthy man he

had no resources he didn't know what he

could give so he gave what he could

which was from the wood of the ships as

we leave the non producer cross I can't

help but see over my left shoulder our

starting point or with the lion man and

how the more and more I walk through an

experience the energy of this exhibition

the more I realize I'm never going to

forget the lion man we haven't changed

very much in 40,000 years what we need

and to whom we speak are the same thing

and we need to respect each other's

dignity yes and the human factor thank

you

thank you

you