Will the Pope conquer the art market faster than AI?
As an artist, I love the Catholic Church because, without it, Francis Bacon wouldn’t have created his screaming popes.
But like all religions (except Islam), the Catholic Church has its problems: it’s losing the interest of more and more people.
// Since 2010, Gallup reports that nearly 74% of Americans believe religion is losing its influence on life in America. Over the previous decade, that average was closer to 55%. // source - https://www.marketplace.org/2023/02/10/how-much-money-does-catholic-church-have/
In response, the Pope has announced a mascot for 2025 aimed at attracting young people to Catholicism and its traditions (lol).
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While the Church wants young followers, I believe artists need the Church - its billions, its spaces, and its stories* - to fully explore their potential or simply survive.
// If you’re looking at the Catholic Church alone, “God” has at least - and we’re putting a huge emphasis on “at least” - $73 billion in assets. Make that $73,000,000,001.07. //
There were times in history when the Church was at the center of the art world, one of the few institutions with the resources to support and inspire artists in the creation of their monumental works.
Now, the Church could reclaim its influence in art, sparking an experiment that could grow a new generation of young artists.
As more and more open calls turn away emerging talent, charging fees that only deepen struggling artists’ life, as blockchain art questions its own meaning, and as creators hesitate to share their artworks in social media for fear AI might use it for own training - the Church could step forward with everything it needs to become a platform for artists.
“Church Will Solve Your Problems” would make a great slogan.
The only problem… The Church and its current fanatics mustn’t condemn artists for reinterpreting everything around Church and its history.
I want to believe that the mascot is just the beginning of the end (lol)…
Imagine cheats in video games that require you to quote the Bible to double up HP - guaranteed to grab the gaming community’s attention. Or dynamic NFTs linked to church attendance.
Why not turn some churches into galleries and the vast network of Catholic real estate into artist residencies?
Finally, why not to invest all money in Bacon’s screaming popes?
PS: The internet community already loves the idea of a church mascot. They’ve started creating… let’s say, “adult” comics about it, marking a milestone for modern pop culture.
As an artist, I love the Catholic Church because, without it, Francis Bacon wouldn’t have created his screaming popes.
But like all religions (except Islam), the Catholic Church has its problems: it’s losing the interest of more and more people.
// Since 2010, Gallup reports that nearly 74% of Americans believe religion is losing its influence on life in America. Over the previous decade, that average was closer to 55%. // source - https://www.marketplace.org/2023/02/10/how-much-money-does-catholic-church-have/
In response, the Pope has announced a mascot for 2025 aimed at attracting young people to Catholicism and its traditions (lol).
source
While the Church wants young followers, I believe artists need the Church - its billions, its spaces, and its stories* - to fully explore their potential or simply survive.
// If you’re looking at the Catholic Church alone, “God” has at least - and we’re putting a huge emphasis on “at least” - $73 billion in assets. Make that $73,000,000,001.07. //
There were times in history when the Church was at the center of the art world, one of the few institutions with the resources to support and inspire artists in the creation of their monumental works.
Now, the Church could reclaim its influence in art, sparking an experiment that could grow a new generation of young artists.
As more and more open calls turn away emerging talent, charging fees that only deepen struggling artists’ life, as blockchain art questions its own meaning, and as creators hesitate to share their artworks in social media for fear AI might use it for own training - the Church could step forward with everything it needs to become a platform for artists.
“Church Will Solve Your Problems” would make a great slogan.
The only problem… The Church and its current fanatics mustn’t condemn artists for reinterpreting everything around Church and its history.
I want to believe that the mascot is just the beginning of the end (lol)…
Imagine cheats in video games that require you to quote the Bible to double up HP - guaranteed to grab the gaming community’s attention. Or dynamic NFTs linked to church attendance.
Why not turn some churches into galleries and the vast network of Catholic real estate into artist residencies?
Finally, why not to invest all money in Bacon’s screaming popes?
PS: The internet community already loves the idea of a church mascot. They’ve started creating… let’s say, “adult” comics about it, marking a milestone for modern pop culture.