Kyrkan - ett rum för konst : En studie av konstens roll i tre kyrkor i Karlstad

Sammanfattning: This study explores how churches as a place for religion and worship, a cultural heritage and a public place, also can function as spaces for art by analysing three different church interiors and works of art from the late 20th century. Theories include Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital and David Dean’s theory about different forms of display and Carol Duncan’s writings about museums and churches as ritual spaces. Simon Unwin’s modifying elements of architecture have been used to analyse the interiors, and the three works of art, created by Herman Reijers, Anna-Lisa Odelqvist-Cruse and Kjellaug Nordsjö, have been analysed using a semiotic analysis. The result of the study suggests that churches as a place for art is unique, and that the use of art has both an aesthetic and educational purpose by mediating the Christian beliefs. The study also suggests that when churches act as a place for contemporary art it might help preserve the churches cultural heritage and keep the church room active.