Publications and Research
Document Type
Book Chapter or Section
Publication Date
2014
Abstract
As the desire for affective experiences of the sacred increased in communities across Europe in the late Middle Ages, the Christian faithful crafted lifelike, mechanized figures of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and saints for use in religious festivals. Although each devotional culture evidences unique body/object relationships and meanings, in general animated ritual objects encouraged lay participation in the celebration of saints and the Passion by engaging the senses, and, consequently, an emotional sense of God. In this essay I investigate the ritual alliances between moveable, prop-like saints and their Iberian devotees, in particular the performative meanings that arose from encounters with technologies of the sacred.
Included in
Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Art and Architecture Commons, Christianity Commons, Liturgy and Worship Commons, Performance Studies Commons, Theatre History Commons
Comments
This is the submitted (pre-edited) version of a chapter later published in Performing Objects and Theatrical Things edited by Marlis Schweitzer and Joanne Zerdy.