08: The Evil in Art
The Seminar will approach evil from two very different angles: from the perspective of visual culture (Natalie Lettner) and in the context of philosophy and theology (Michael Schulz). Both perspectives are intertwined, sometimes reinforcing, sometimes contradicting each other. Western art is full of devils, witches and monsters, all of which are tangible personifications of evil. This traditional repertoire of images still has an impact today, albeit against a different background. Not only popular culture but also contemporary artists use devils, serpents and monsters in their work to a surprisingly large extent. The seminar will discuss how the “careers” and metamorphoses of these personifications of evil reflect, support or challenge the ideas of evil and temptation in Jewish, Christian and Muslim theology and philosophy.
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Dr.phil. Natalie LETTNER
Art Historian, Education Department, Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna; Adjunct Professor, Department of Art/Visual Culture, Webster University Vienna
| 1993 | M.A. German Philology, University of Salzburg |
| 1994 | Lectureship, Department of German Philology, University of Salzburg |
| 1993-1996 | Dramatic Advisor, Toihaus Theater, Salzburg |
| since 2000 | Art Historian, Art History Museum Vienna, Education Department |
| 2004 | Visiting Scholar, Bard College, New York |
| 2006 | Director of the Documentary Malibu Song (with Werner Hanak) |
| 2010 | Director of the Short Documentary, Mahler's City, for the Austrian Theatermuseum (with Werner Hanak) |
| 2012 | Ph.D. Art History, University of Applied Arts Vienna |
| since 2013 | Adjunct Professor, Department of Art / Visual Culture, Webster University Vienna |
Dr. Michael SCHULZ
Professor of Philosophy and Theory of Religion, Faculty of Philosophy, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms University Bonn
| 1978-1985 | Study of Philosophy and Theology, Mainz and Rome |
| 1985-1994 | Pastoral Work, Teaching in Colleges |
| 1994-2001 | Assistant-Professor, Systematic Theology, Faculty of Catholic Theology, University of Munich |
| 2001-2004 | Professor, Systematic Theology, Faculty of Theology, Lugano |
| 2004-2010 | Professor, Systematic Theology, Faculty of Catholic Theology, University of Bonn |
| since 2010 | Professor, Philosophy of Religion, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Bonn |
