Manuela Gómez

WHY WHERE WHO WHAT WHEN

RELIGIONS

I have developed a strong interest in religion and culture, as well as how they differ and affect people's lives in various ways. As a result, I decidedtostartaresearchandinquiryaboutmonotheisticreligions.I wantedtoanswerthefollowingquestions:Whatdistinguishesthem?

What do they believe in? Who are they? How do they believe in it? How does religion influence the behaviour of a specific group of people? Where? When did important events happened? With these in mind I began acknowledging the differences between culture and religionregardingtheconceptsofsexuality,interpretationoftheholy texts, relationships, impacts on societies, problematics, taboos, and behaviours. Leaving me with the idea that despite the fact that it is the same religion, it may differ depending on the culture. Culture is notthesameasreligion.

During my research of Islam, Judaism and Christianity I was so taken with the dense and informative Holy texts that I decided to include someofinformationoftheverses,chapters,andsurasinmyportfolio.

As a way of leaving out the cultural aspects and focusing in the religious facts. Starting by the art piece The Gates of Hell, where thereisagraphicrepresentationofAllahsayinginSurahZumar39/71.

"And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups till when theyreachit,thegatesthereofwillbeopened.”

In addition, the art pieces Close and Two Women depict a representation of a holy text. I reflected on the concept of haram (sinful) relationships here. These include gay, lesbian, and pre-marriage relationships with no marriage end and no adherence toasetofrules.

Not only did I reflect on some holy texts, but I also considered the relationship between these monotheistic religions, some of their beliefs (what is forbidden and what is not), their differences and similarities,theirtheories,theirstories,andspecialfigures.