Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.31337/oz.80.4.5
Saving Beauty The Challenges of the Liturgical Arts
Tomislav Ćurić
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Boris Vulić
orcid.org/0000-0002-3517-2502
; Catholic Faculty of Theology in \akovo, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Abstract
This paper engages with the thought of the Korean–German philosopher Byung–
Chul Han, but with a focus on the complexity of postmodern conceptions of
beauty and the various challenges this notion poses to Christian artistic and cultural
expression. The author has developed the critical programmatic principle
of “saving beauty” through a series of interrelated analyses, highlighting both the
challenges and opportunities of the contemporary cultural moment. In the first
section the authors analyze the phenomena of displacement of beauty which is
evident in the transition into the digital realm. In the second part, the authors
argue the reproduction of the “inner void” as being the result of nihilistic narcissism.
Han returns to the conception of beauty in the classical metaphysical sense
invoking its original nature: self–enclosure, otherness, festivity, reminiscence and
event of truth. Thirdly, the authors develop a critical review of the challenges to
Christian liturgical aesthetics by focusing on three interrelated points: the return
to the truth of beauty on the fundament of God’s visibility in Christ which is the
core of liturgical art; the return to the cultural heritage which is inextricably linked
to its evangelization and is deeply rooted in the tradition of the Church and finally
, the return to the liturgy as “the wellspring and summit” of all Christian life.
These reflections suggest that Christian communities are invited to engage critically
and creatively with their own cultural heritage, while continually pursuing
new ways to proclaim the truth of beauty within contemporary culture.
Keywords
Byung–Chul Han; postmodern culture; beauty; arts and Christianity; cultural heritage; liturgical arts
Hrčak ID:
336312
URI
Publication date:
15.10.2025.
Visits: 308 *