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Hand assembled and painted miniature scenes with accompanying text, combining art and philosophy.

Text:

This diorama is Dante Miniature's first entry into competition painting. Conceived in reaction to the existing competitive scene and the latest Golden Demon painting competition (run by Games Workshop) it hopes to open a dialogue with the existing cadre of entrants.

Some people have commented that while the current winning models at Golden Demon showcase immaculate technique, they also seem somewhat soulless with an emphasis on the crafting ability of the entrant over genuine all-round artistic merit. While this is perhaps what the judges are looking for in this particular competition, it makes going through the same bunch of entrants who have spent hundreds of hours perfecting their craft a little boring. It seems that the elite group of people who have honed their technical ability to perfection are still missing something, that extra something that competitions of old perhaps had. Winning and breaking through currently appear unobtainable, to the point where the people who win regularly have now moved into judging the painting competitions that they and their friends enter.

With Science versus Religion Dante Miniatures wish to shift the focus back onto the idea or concept, while still maintaining a competent execution of crafting technique. A raw and stripped-back approach has been taken with less emphasis on the perfectionism of painting and modelling. To this end Dante Miniatures has conceived an entry which wishes to focus on the discussion around science versus religion.

From before the astronomer Copernicus discovered in the 16th century that the Earth and planets revolved around the Sun, many people believed that the Earth was at the centre of the universe and that the Sun and everything else revolved around it. Science versus Religion takes inspiration from the art of this time, of which some depicted astronomers showing religious leaders what they could see through a telescope. The Moon landings in the late 1960s and early 70s further debunked a lot of previously held religious ideas, and countries defined by borders suddenly seemed shortsighted.

The debate between science and religion has continued unabated since then with scientists highlighting the positive aspects of religion such as its moral function in sociological terms, while religious advocates have highlighted scientific advancements that have benefitted society in a positive way. The dialogue between these two camps has continued to contend with similar theories such as how Christian Nationalism is being attributed to the rise of right-wing authoritarian leaderships in various countries, with a desire to defend traditional values such as those that are religious, seeming in step with similar views about nationalism. While some of this sentiment holds sway there are still previously held views in these areas and similar that have been passed down through generations over hundreds of years making any transition seem perhaps unviable or destructive to some.

With Science vs. Religion Dante Miniatures hopes to continue this debate. On the left is an engineer, representing science, looking through a telescope. On the right is a religious figure holding up an ancient scroll and shaking a telescope in her other hand. The religious figure is a model known as Dialogus representing the need for dialogue. The wall behind them features symbols of the Moon, Sun and other symbols of the heavens linking the figures together. The religious figure is also looking skyward, perhaps indicating her preferred belief in a sky-god. While the diorama does not offer any answers it hopefully signifies a need for these topics to continue being discussed.

#warhammer #art #philosophy

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