Interplay of Things: Religion, Art, and Presence Together

Anthony B. Pinn's "Interplay of Things" explores religion as a technology for interrogating human experiences and the boundaries between people and other things. He examines how religion exposes the openness and porousness of all things, how pop art and readymades point to the multidirectional nature of influence, and how performance art draws out inherent interconnectedness to various cultural codes. He also shows how artists have rebelled against attempts to counter openness, offering a means to understand the porous, unbounded, and open nature of humans and things.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2021
Publisher: Duke University Press

Anthony B. Pinn's groundbreaking work in the field of religious studies explores the profound relationship between human experiences and the boundaries between people and the surrounding world. Instead of limiting the study of religion to institutional frameworks, doctrines, and creeds, Pinn takes a more holistic approach, emphasizing the inherent openness and interconnectedness of all things. Through his meticulous analysis, Pinn reveals how religion serves as a powerful technology for interrogating these boundaries and exposing the intricate processes of exchange and interplay that permeate the universe.

In his exploration of the works of Nella Larsen and Richard Wright, Pinn highlights the profound openness between things. He demonstrates how these authors portray the interconnectedness of individuals, communities, and the natural world, emphasizing the fluidity and interdependence of all entities. Pinn further traces the influence of pop art and readymades, which emphasize the multidirectional nature of influence and the blurring of boundaries between different art forms and objects. By examining the performance art of Ron Athey and Clifford Owens, Pinn underscores how these artists draw out inherent interconnectedness to various cultural codes, revealing the symbiotic relationship between art and religion as a technology.

Pinn's theoretical framework goes beyond mere analysis, as he delves into the political and social implications of antiblack racism and gender- and class-based hostility. He argues that these efforts to close off the porous nature of certain bodies are rooted in attempts to maintain power and control. In response to these attempts, Pinn showcases the rebellious spirit of many artists who have challenged these boundaries and embraced the openness and interconnectedness of the human and natural world.

Through his comprehensive analyses, Pinn provides a valuable framework for understanding the porous, unbounded, and open nature of humans and things. He challenges traditional notions of separateness and hierarchy, advocating for a more holistic and interconnected perspective on the world. Pinn's work encourages us to reevaluate our relationships with the surrounding environment, other people, and ourselves, recognizing the profound interdependence and interconnectedness that permeate our existence.

In conclusion, Anthony B. Pinn's work in religious studies offers a groundbreaking perspective on the relationship between human experiences and the boundaries between people and the surrounding world. By emphasizing the openness and interconnectedness of all things, Pinn provides a valuable tool for understanding the complexities of the human condition and the role of religion as a technology for interrogating these boundaries. His analyses offer a means by which to cultivate a deeper sense of empathy, compassion, and interconnectedness, and contribute to a more harmonious and sustainable world.

Weight: 416g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478014461