--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: (...) contemporary art has become a kind…" description: "\"(...) contemporary art has become a kind of alternative religion for atheists. (...) For many art world insiders and art aficionados of other kinds, co..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/sarah-thornton-45145_alternatives_contemporary-art-has-become-a-kind-of-al_1133640.jpg" --- # (...) contemporary art has become a kind of alternative… ![“(...) contemporary art has become a kind of alternative religion for atheists. (...) For many art world insiders and art aficionados of other kinds, concept-driven art is a kind of existencial channel through which they bring meaning to their lives. It demands leaps of faith, but it rewards the…” quote by Sarah Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/sarah-thornton-45145_alternatives_contemporary-art-has-become-a-kind-of-al_1133640.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/sarah-thornton-45145_alternatives_contemporary-art-has-become-a-kind-of-al_1133640.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e1/sarah-thornton-45145_alternatives_contemporary-art-has-become-a-kind-of-al_1133640.jpg) > “(...) contemporary art has become a kind of alternative religion for atheists. (...) For many art world insiders and art aficionados of other kinds, concept-driven art is a kind of existencial channel through which they bring meaning to their lives. It demands leaps of faith, but it rewards the believer with a sense of consequence. Moreover, just as churches and other ritualistic meeting places serve a social function, so art events generate a sense of community around shared interests” [Sarah Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-thornton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Conceptual art serves as a secular ritual, offering meaning and community to participants. **In simple terms:** Art can be a spiritual practice. Key Takeaway Engage with art as a shared experience. Themes art meaning community ritual secular spirituality Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical critic When to use this quote - gallery openings - artist talks - online forums - educational workshops Key Concepts conceptualism existentialism social bonding Questions to Reflect On - What does art mean to you personally? - How does community shape artistic value? A Different Perspective Not all viewers find personal relevance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-world/) [Atheist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheist/) [Believer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believer/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Consequence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consequence/) [Contemporary art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemporary-art/) [Demand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demand/) [Driven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driven/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Leap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leap/) [Leap of faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leap-of-faith/) [Meetings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meetings/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Science and technology has tried to offer an alternative to religion by making a god out of human reason, but that didn't work out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/science-and-technology-has-tried-to-offer-an-alternative-to-religion/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [“What is the alternative to religion as we know it? 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