Graphic Design x Blended Intensive Programme - The Sacred

The project first kicked off with an online session in April to introduce the group to the topic and programme for the physical week in The Hague. The idea of the project was to examine our relationship as artists with the sacred and the secular. The central questions included “What is the value of the term ‘sacred’ in the (mostly secular) European artistic practices? “How does spirituality impact your artistic practice or interests? Do you think art needs the sacred? Can an artistic practice be a ‘cultus’ too, or a conversation or ‘ritual’.

Approaching from both a theoretical (philosophical/ language) and making perspective, the tutors involved encouraged the students to critically engage with these central questions through group dialogues, poetry, and a workshop that focused on the meaning of rituals and collective performances.

In the opening lecture, Maarten Cornel (BA Graphic Design) explored the meaning of the sacred, the sublime, and the transcendental, as well as the connection between philosophy and aesthetics. He took us on a journey through ancient times all the way to modern times and how the term sacred has changed and evolved along the centuries showing us that the ‘sacred’ is not something that is only connected to religion or institutions anymore.

If we want to investigate the domain of the ‘sacred’ mainly outside that of religion, then we need to precisely define which terms we use and explore. Is there a sacred art outside the conventional ‘sacred art’, of which many fill our European museums? However more secular (Western) European countries have become the last few centuries, the need for spirituality or deep existential experience hasn’t ceased. It might have even become more personal and more important despite it being disconnected from institutionalized forms. The lecture also delved into the question “has consumerism taken over our deeper need to connect in a religious way? More and more, people are grounding their faith in personal experiences and preferences.

The questions posed during the lecture opened many discussions not only on the meaning of sacred and spirituality, but also on communication/use of language about this topic.

The first day the programme ended with a visit to James Turrell’s Celestial Vault in Kijkduin, where students gazed at the sky and pondered on what the sacred/spirituality meant to them.

The week was filled with conversations, a lecture, excursions, practicing performances, a poetry session, a meditation and communal lunches and dinners.

Students paid a visit to the museum Huis van het Boek to admire the exhibition “ Myths and Possibilities” where students got a tour by the exhibitions curator and also got a glimpse of the collection of sacred books dating back to the 13^th century, back when the sacred had a different meaning than it has today. On the last day students visited The Embassy of the Free Mind in Amsterdam where alternative wisdoms and knowledge are key.

All students were asked to bring an object that was sacred to them. These objects were photographed by Photography student Michał Betta, a publication will follow. All objects had their own narrative, which could be shared in the corner of Gallery 3.

During the Logos workshop by Guido de Boer (BA Graphic Design), students split up in groups and did a number of exercises that focused on collective artistic processes and rituals. This was the backbone for the wrap up final performance that took place on Friday 9 May.

The topic continued to raise important philosophical questions throughout the week, “What are differences between a secular or sacred practice, and how do you make the work relatable for the audience?” What are contemporary ways to deal with this subject? How do you connect to each other and to the cosmos?”

The final performance provided an opportunity for students from different artistic practices to delve into but also mix different forms of art collectively.

This blended intensive programme in The Hague marks the first chapter of a trilogy. The next chapter of The Sacred will take place in Marseille in the fall, and the final chapter will be in Palermo in the spring of 2026.

A big thank you to the tutors of the participating institutes: Adriana Lara, Elias Kurdy & Luca Pulvirenti.