AA-2026-7B2965
On the image
The 1970s saw a particular style of religious presentation, where grand spiritual concepts were rendered in dioramas with the help of theatrical lighting and painted backdrops, often in deep blue. Here, a statue of Christ is illuminated, floating among painted clouds and celestial bodies, presumably guiding viewers through a grand narrative.
Someone, somewhere, believed that placing a glowing savior alongside a painted planet and distant crescent moon would effectively convey the vastness of creation and divine purpose. The intention was perhaps to inspire awe, or at least a reverent nod, in an audience accustomed to less visually elaborate forms of worship.
This particular exhibit, likely found in a visitor's center, offered a tangible, if somewhat literal, representation of faith for modern sensibilities. It suggests an era when the most profound mysteries could be explained through a combination of plaster and blue stage lights, and people mostly accepted it.
The historian's note
This scene depicts a replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus statue against a celestial backdrop, typical of religious visitor centers or exhibits during the 1970s. Such displays were frequently utilized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their visitor centers to visually interpret theological concepts.
These installations aimed to convey a sense of cosmic scale and divine presence through a combination of sculpture, painted scenery, and dramatic lighting. They served as public outreach tools, offering an accessible, visual interpretation of faith to visitors.
The deep blue background with simulated stars and planets underscored themes of creation and universal redemption, presented in a style that reflected the contemporary aesthetic and technology of the period.
Subjects & keywords — each links to a search
Visually related — by likeness
Glowing Christus Statue Display, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-7B2965. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/glowing-christus-statue-display-1970s.
@misc{aaAA20267B2965,
title = {Glowing Christus Statue Display, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-7B2965},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/glowing-christus-statue-display-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Glowing Christus Statue Display, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-7B2965 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/glowing-christus-statue-display-1970s ER -
From the community
Identifications, corrections, and discussion from readers — reviewed by a librarian before appearing here.
Sign in to add an identification, correction, or comment.
No notes yet — be the first to add what you know about this image.