Take a Closer Look: The Holy Face and the Metaphysics of the Image. May 2 and 3, 2025 Conference in Manoppello Promoted by the UKEN University of Krakow Poland

 

Editor's note:  I believe this conference to be the signifcant beginning of a process of understanding in a profound way the meaning of the Holy Face for all aspects of human culture.  This understanding is very much needed for the future of humanity to be rooted in Jesus Christ. 

On May 2 and 3, 2025, the Shrine of the Holy Face of Manoppello will host an international scientific conference entitled "Wpatrz się / Scrutare, Metafizyczność obrazu. Obfitość przenikania, czyli o synestetycznej wartości dzieła / Take a Closer Look: The metaphysics of the image. The abundance of permeation or the synesthetic value of the work", organized by the Art and Metaphysics Research Team from the University of the Commission of National Education in Krakow and the Convent of the Capuchin Friars Minor in Manoppello in collaboration with the Sister Handmaids of the Most Precious Blood from Poland who minister in Manoppello. The conference will take place in person and will be accompanied by an exhibition of artists, lecturers and students of the University entitled "Twarzą w Twarz/Face to Face".

    

                                                                                                                            

On the first day of the conference presentations and discussions will be held regarding the historical and contemporary context of the Holy Face, taking into account the influence of the centuries-old cultural and religious heritage of this image on the iconography of Christianity and the role it has to play in the contemporary world. In addition, Professor Father Heinrich Pfeiffer and his contribution to research in the 1990's on the Veil of Manoppello, which he identified as the Veronica, will be remembered.

On the second day of the conference there will be a panel dedicated to contemporary religious art and its contexts. Topics for the presentations will include attempts to apply scientific interpretative tools from the fields of philosophy, theology and art history to the Image of Manoppello and other acheropite relics, "not made by human hands". In reflections on their influence, the artists and exhibition participants will also share the influence of the Bible and hagiography on their creative process." Twarzą w Twarz/ Face to Face", will therefore not only be a space for the exchange of knowledge, but also a reflection on the role of the artist and the Church in the face of the challenges of modern times.

The conference seeks to be an opportunity not only for scientific reflection, but also for knowledge of the different attitudes and modes of expression that are represented in the community of artists who work in our research team on art and metaphysics.

During the international scientific session at the Casa del Pellegrino in Manoppello -- which will be honored by the presence of H.E. Msgr. Archbishop Bruno Forte of the Diocese of Chieti -- a number of clergy, publicists, researchers, art historians, philosophers and artists will speak: Czesław Gadacz OFMCap, Prof. Antonio Bini, H. M. Monika Gutowska SAS, Prof. Łukasz Murzyn , Dr Sebastian Stankiewicz, Prof. Rafal Solewski, Dr Kazimierz Piotrowski, Dr Bernadeta Stano, Anna Grąbczewska, Dr Agnieszka Daca, Dr Jacek Pasieczny, Mgr Stanisław Wójcicki. During the session, the film directed by Jarosław Rędziak entitled "The Face of Jesus" will be presented.

The conference will also present the exhibition of artists-teachers and students entitled: "Twarzą w Twarz / Face to Face", to enter the space of the Shrine in the most respectful way possible, but also to offer a unique forum for interdisciplinary dialogue.                        

"We would like our works to be a votive offering, something we leave here to express our gratitude for the fact that we were able to be in this particularly important place for us. We would like to bring our intentions and considerations related to the works that we carry the most intimate relationship possible, with God." - declare the artists.

We can therefore say that this exhibition is a sort of prayer of thanksgiving and an introduction to the artistic means for the contemplation of the Divine Face of Manoppello... and at the same time a preface for their further activities.                            

 Admission to the event is free.  All those interested in the topic of the conference are invited to participate in this important event.