Based on books and manuscripts donated by Fèlix Martí, the exhibition The languages of the absolute explores the languages that different religions have articulated to speak about and with that which is totally other, as well as the languages through which they believe this other has spoken.
The word ‘absolute’ comes from the Latin absolutus, whose etymology can be traced to the prefix ab-, indicating away or apart, and the participle solutus, meaning unbound or released. It thus means that which exists on its own, which is unconditioned.
The various religions have often associated the absolute with what they call God, the ultimate reality, the supreme principle or transcendence. However, if the absolute precludes any sort of relationship, how can human beings – contingent and conditioned – communicate with it?
The first section of this exhibition brings us closer to revelation and sacred languages; the second deals with tradition and the translation of the religious experience; the third focuses on the issue of the authoritative word; finally, the fourth looks at scripture as a form of prayer and recitation to accompany liturgy or meditation.