NEO MARY
Mary, the most frequently portrayed biblical female figure, is represented as a submissive, silent personality. This image has manifested and reproduced itself socially. It shows that forms of representation are part of an overall social discourse, which at the time regulates what can be said and shown, but which is also always flexible and changeable through interventions. The project ”NEO MARY“ encourages to question the usual Christian representations and to point out and criticize one-sided as well as male-dominated representations. The aim is to break the cycle of representation of the humble, quiet and submissive woman and to give Maria space for a new and contemporary voice.
The stained glass „Neo Mary“ is a reinterpretation of the stained glass „Birth of Christ“ by Peter Hemmel exhibited at KGM Berlin. Alike the original, ”Neo Mary” depicts Mary in a blue virgin mary cope in the infamous nativity scene with ox and donkey, but interprets the title literally.
With her head held high, the birthing mother is observing the viewer and dominates the room. The classical depiction of Virgin Mary as a devoted and taciturn person is overcome, the heteronomy discarded.
Hemmels artwork originates from a time when Christianity had a great influence and heavily affected the life conditions. Even though the institutionalized church has mostly lost its meaning, 540 years later the Western culture and society is still heavily shaped by chritian traditions and concepts. Within the modern view on family and gender, christian values and modes of subjectivation are being continued, different forms of discriminations are being legitimated by religion and last but not least the occurence of birth is still kept taboo. The 48 by 58 cm glass picture consists of 36 transparent coloured glass pieces, which are girthed by lead camings.
