Gospel in Art: I, the light, have come into the world

Voûtes Célestes, Digital light projection installation by Miguel Chevalier, 2016 © Miguel Chevalier

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 24 April 2024
John 12:44-50

Jesus declared publicly:

'Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me, sees the one who sent me.

I, the light, have come into the world,

so that whoever believes in me need not stay in the dark any more. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them faithfully, it is not I who shall condemn him, since I have come not to condemn the world, but to save the world. He who rejects me and refuses my words has his judge already: the word itself that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day. For what I have spoken does not come from myself; no, what I was to say, what I had to speak, was commanded by the Father who sent me, and I know that his commands mean eternal life. And therefore what the Father has told me is what I speak.'

Reflection on the Light Projection

Six years ago this art installation was screened and performed in the Church of Saint Eustache in Paris. 'Voûtes Célestes' is a light projection work by Miguel Chevalier that turned the Gothic church ceiling into the backdrop for a constantly morphing celestial sky chart. Cycling through 35 different coloured networks, it made the ceiling glow with each successive pattern, highlighting the grand architecture that lay below the swirling universes above. Gothic architecture and virtual, digital reality came together that evening. The light projection was also accompanied by some organ music, thus immersing the audience in a wash of sonic and visual splendour. You can see a short video of the evening here: https://vimeo.com/185925081.

'I, the light, have come into the world,' says Jesus in our Gospel reading today. The point Jesus is making is that if you believe in him, he will be the light in your life. Anyone who believes in him will never walk in darkness. This means mainly two things: first of all that we don't have to search for any other light, even though the world might be offering us alternative ones. Secondly, when we let him light our way through life, we can have a closeness to God like never before and be at peace.

Chevalier was born in Mexico City in 1959 and has lived in Paris since 1985. He is a digital artist, using computer-generated images and technology as an artistic means of expression. He draws from nature and art, space and science to create generative and interactive virtual-reality installations. In the 2016 installation he brought light to a dark ceiling... for just one evening. Christ's Light, however, is... eternal.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-12-44-50-2024/
Competition: The Laudamus Award 2024 for Sacred Art - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/4931