Temple Art, Architecture and Theatre

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to invite submissions for a Special Issue dedicated to exploring the intricate relationships between temple art, architecture and theatre. For the purposes of this issue, ‘temple’ is defined broadly to include all religious buildings such as abbeys, churches, monasteries and other sacred spaces. These structures have long been central to religious and cultural life, serving as sacred spaces where art, architecture and performance converge.

Temples not only provide a venue for worship but also act as hubs of community engagement and creative expression, reflecting the artistic heritage and spiritual values of the cultures they represent. By examining the interplay between temple art, architecture and theatre, we can gain deeper insights into how these elements contribute to the construction of identity and community within diverse religious traditions.

Temple art encompasses a wide array of visual expressions, from intricate carvings and sculptures to vibrant paintings, each imbued with symbolic meaning. Temple architecture, with its diverse styles and structural innovations, reflects the spiritual and cultural values of the communities that created them. Temple theatre, often manifested through ritual and theatrical performances, enlivens these sacred spaces, establishing a dynamic interplay between the physical and the performative.

This Special Issue aims to bring together interdisciplinary perspectives that illuminate the cultural, historical, theatrical, architectural and religious significance of temples as venues for artistic expressions, theatrical practices and spiritual experiences.

Themes and Topics of Interest

We invite submissions that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• Temple and/or Temple Theatre Architecture: Form and Transformation
• Religious Art and Sacred Space: Exploration of how visual art contributes to the sanctity and aesthetics of religious spaces.
• The Symbolic and Functional Aspects of Religious Architecture: Analysis of how architectural elements symbolise and support religious practices.
• Rituals and Performances in Temple Theatre: Examination of theatrical performances, rituals and ceremonies conducted within temple premises.
• Temple Art and Iconography: Detailed studies on the iconographic programmes of temples and their religious significance.
• Architectural Design and Built Environments of Religious Buildings: Examination of the design and construction of temples, churches, abbeys and monasteries, and their role in creating sacred spaces.
• Comparative Studies of Religious Art Across Cultures: Comparative analyses of religious art from different cultural and religious traditions.
• Conservation and Preservation: Discussions on the challenges and strategies for preserving temple art, architecture and theatre traditions as integral components of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the modern era.
• The Impact of Religious Art on Community Identity and Spiritual Practice: Exploration of how religious art influences community identity and spiritual practices.
• The Transformation of Physical Spaces into Sacred Realms: Examination of how artistic expressions transform physical spaces into sacred realms.
• Theological and Philosophical Reflections on Sacred Space and Art: Discussions on the theological and philosophical aspects of sacred spaces and religious art.
• The Influence of Contemporary Art on Traditional Sacred Spaces: Analysis of how contemporary art interacts with and influences traditional sacred spaces.
• Religious Sites as Venues for Performances: Studies on how religious sites serve as venues for ritual, musical and theatrical performances.
• Temple Festivals: Examination of ritual, musical and theatrical performances during temple festivals in association with their role in shaping sacred spaces and contributing to the sacred atmosphere.
• Theatrical Traditions in Temples: Analysis of specific theatrical traditions and their historical development within temple contexts.
• Impact of Modernity on Temple Practices: Exploration of how modernity and contemporary practices influence traditional temple art, architecture, and theatre.
• Case Studies of Specific Religious Artworks: Detailed studies on particular religious artworks and their spatial and spiritual contexts.
• Case Studies of Specific Religious Structures: In-depth analyses of specific religious buildings and their spatial and spiritual contexts.
• Case Studies of Specific Temple Theatres: Detailed examination of specific temple theatres and their stages designed for ritual and theatrical performance.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarising their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editors, or to the Assistant Editor of Religions. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Xiaohuan Zhao
Prof. Dr. Duanfang Lu
Prof. Dr. Qing Chang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• temple
• art
• architecture
• theatre