During his short but intensive pastoral visit to Venice, the Pope met with the artists and curators of the Biennale on Sunday. The meeting took place in the Church of St. Magdalene, which is the chapel of the Judek prison for women. He emphasized that art helps us cultivate a contemplative gaze and promotes a humane environment.
Jānis Evertovskis – Vatican
“I will admit that with you I do not feel like a stranger, I feel at home,” said the Holy Father. “I think that it actually applies to everyone, because art is like a “city of refuge” that, without succumbing to the regime of violence and discrimination, creates a humane environment where everyone is recognized, included, defended and accepted. All, starting with the last ones”.
According to Francis, it would be important if the various artistic practices could become a kind everywhere a network of cities of refuge, working together to rid the world of the senseless and empty antinomies of racism, xenophobia, inequality, ecological imbalance and fear of the poor. Behind these antinomies is always the rejection of the other. Selfishness makes us operate as solitary islands rather than cooperative archipelagos. “I ask you, my artist friends”, said the Pope, “imagine cities that are not yet on the map, cities where no one is considered a stranger”.
In the continuation of the speech, the Holy Father reminded that the name “With Your Own Eyes” was chosen for the Vatican Pavilion this year, and pointed out that it is an invitation to see others and ourselves.
In this sense, Jesus is the eternal Teacher – said the Pope. He looks at everyone with great love, with a kind that does not condemn, but knows how to be with and encourage. And I would say that art instills in us this kind of gaze – not one that appropriates, not one that looks at the other as an object, not even an indifferent, superficial gaze; it cultivates a contemplative gaze. Artists are in the world, but are invited to reach beyond it. For example, today more than ever they urgently need to be able to clearly separate art from the market. Of course, the market promotes and promotes it, but there is always the risk that it “vampirically” devours creativity, steals innocence and, finally, coldly teaches how to act.
The meeting took place in a women’s prison. At the end of his speech, Francis reminded us that women can teach us something important. He wished that contemporary art would open our eyes and help us appreciate the contribution of women.
