According to Spinoza, our perception of reality is shaped by our individual point of perspective and the instruments we use to gain an understanding of it. When our perspective is limited or even dogmatic, we just grasp a limited part of reality. While true knowledge of our world is gained through active and continuous exchange of free thought.
Great art also challenges our perspective on the world. And it is no coincidence that many artists have been inspired by Spinoza, whose texts can be interpreted as a meditation on either rationalism or metaphysics, on either atheism or pantheism, on either democracy or totalitarianism. There seems to be a Spinoza for everyone. The artists in this exhibition touch upon a variety of Spinoza’s thoughts. They invite the subconscious to speak and celebrate our ability to reason. They find ways to orient ourselves within the bigger whole or even blur the boundaries between human and nonhuman bodies, revealing a shared sensuality with the natural world. Some of them challenge binaries entirely—of gender, body and spirit, or nature and God.
With polarization and climate change looming over us, the philosophy of Spinoza, the philosophy of free thinking, ethics and interconnectedness, is more relevant than ever. As Portuguese jews, Spinoza’s own family was religiously persecuted and had to flee to the Netherlands. Showing these works in Quetzal Art Center in Vidigueira, the birthplace of Spinoza’s father, is thus all the more special.
Curated by Aveline de Bruin.
(Text: Anna Lillioja)
