April 16 - 20, 2007. Strategies of Reuse: Spolia in Late Antiquity, Byzantium and Islam
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Teaching Personnel:
Prof. Dr. Franz Alto Bauer - Ludwig Maximilians Universitaet
Prof. Dr. Avinoam Shalem - Ludwig Maximilians Universitaet
Strategies of Reuse: Spolia in Late Antiquity, Byzantium and Islam
The city of Venice, known in its popular name also as the “Gate of the Orient”, was, and to some extent is, the important trade centre and the multi-artistic city of Europe. Its clever politics with the East, be it Byzantium, the Arab World and also with the regions of Central Asia (Persia and China), during the Middle Ages and in the Early modern era contributed to its wealth and inspired its art and architecture. Many goods reached its ports. These goods were mainly traded commodities and diplomatic presents. But, of no less importance were the looted objects taken as booty after victorious battles. Many of these migrating objects survived. Moreover, they were ostensibly displayed and re-used in different contexts in the city of Venice.
The aim of this seminar is to discuss forms and strategies of reuse in Late Antiquity, Byzantium and Islam. Moreover, it aims at widening the understanding of the term ‘Spolia’, which is usually restricted to its re-use in architectural context, by including also the re-use of precious objects and artefacts. Seminar papers to be held by the participants of this seminar will examine examples of spolia within the context of architecture and minor arts and analyze the various forms of re-contextualizations. On the basis of these papers, not only current patterns of interpretation ranging from economical aspects to ideological-propagandistic explanations will be discussed, but also general discussions, such as on the aesthetic and reception of the Otherness and the exotic and on the history of the term ‘spolia’, which interestingly enough is not of a Late Antique or medieval origin but rather modern art-historical category. In addition, according to the different regions and epochs discussed, attempts will be made towards defining the different attitudes towards spolia in Byzantium and in Islam and to speculate on possible interactions between the two cultures.
Strategies of Reuse: Spolia in Late Antiquity, Byzantium and Islam
The city of Venice, known in its popular name also as the “Gate of the Orient”, was, and to some extent is, the important trade centre and the multi-artistic city of Europe. Its clever politics with the East, be it Byzantium, the Arab World and also with the regions of Central Asia (Persia and China), during the Middle Ages and in the Early modern era contributed to its wealth and inspired its art and architecture. Many goods reached its ports. These goods were mainly traded commodities and diplomatic presents. But, of no less importance were the looted objects taken as booty after victorious battles. Many of these migrating objects survived. Moreover, they were ostensibly displayed and re-used in different contexts in the city of Venice.
The aim of this seminar is to discuss forms and strategies of reuse in Late Antiquity, Byzantium and Islam. Moreover, it aims at widening the understanding of the term ‘Spolia’, which is usually restricted to its re-use in architectural context, by including also the re-use of precious objects and artefacts. Seminar papers to be held by the participants of this seminar will examine examples of spolia within the context of architecture and minor arts and analyze the various forms of re-contextualizations. On the basis of these papers, not only current patterns of interpretation ranging from economical aspects to ideological-propagandistic explanations will be discussed, but also general discussions, such as on the aesthetic and reception of the Otherness and the exotic and on the history of the term ‘spolia’, which interestingly enough is not of a Late Antique or medieval origin but rather modern art-historical category. In addition, according to the different regions and epochs discussed, attempts will be made towards defining the different attitudes towards spolia in Byzantium and in Islam and to speculate on possible interactions between the two cultures.
In the second part of the seminar, which is designed as an excursion, the participants will discuss the reuse of spolia in San Marco and its treasury. This will be done in front of the surviving examples. The exterior and interior decoration of San Marco consists, for a good part, of spolia taken to the west from Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade (in 1204). This provides the students with excellent visual evidence for their discussions. But also the Tesoro di San Marco consists of numerous “foreign” artefacts which were dismantled, re-mounted and re-designed to function as sacral vessels and reliquaries in the treasury.
Examining the various kinds of spolia in San Marco, the political and ideological motivations and aesthetic consequences of the massive transfer of spolia to Venice will be discussed. Emphasis will be put on how far can this phenomenon be considered as an attempt to transfer the importance and dignity of imperial Constantinople, Baghdad or Cairo to Venice? Or how far did the incorporation of objects of eastern origin result in new forms of display or even aesthetic and deliberate presentation of the loot? And, whether and to which extent the discussed spolia retain its original identity and did function like quotations referring to their previous provenance.
Contact
Chiara Bianchini - LMU Seminars Coordinator
Chiara Bianchini - LMU Seminars Coordinator
Tel. + 39 041 2719511
Fax. + 39 041 2719510
