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ART 352
Redeemer University College, Fall 2009
Prof. Christopher M. Cuthill
ext. 4523
How does our faith bear upon our understanding of art(s)? What is the significance of art(s) in our post-modern culture? How can the church become more in tune with the aesthetic dimension of life? What are the challenges facing Christian artists today? These and other questions will be explored in weekly seminars.
ccuthil@redeemer.on.ca
profcuthill@gmail.com
Office 239D
The example that comes to mind for me was Chelsea Shinkel's (sorry I don’t know the spelling!) final art exhibit… I loved how she used the human body to portray her personal spiritual journey, and I found her images to be so honest and "real". I thought it was a very effective way of representing the vulnerability and humility that following Christ demands. I liked how the images presented such a "bodily" interpretation - there was no body/mind dualism in the work because the abstract concepts of mercy, grace, forgiveness and shame were expressed through the body itself using body language, composition, and light and shadow. This experience was different than the other ways I understand truth because it was completely nonverbal. It was abstract and metaphorical. I think that our culture in a lot of ways is still looking to reason and logic as the valid expressions of truth, and Chelsea’s artwork presented a challenge to that view.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that pops into my head on this subject is the Redeemer choir. They way they portray their artistic talents is a little different than the visual artist but I believe and have seen and heard that the choir reflects truth in the way they sing the songs. When I was in the choir and even now, I hear people say that our choir is different from other choirs. Redeemer's choir reflects the truth within the repetoire. They believe what they are singing. Therefore the audience can see the truth within the eyes and voices of the choir members reflectin their faith in the true Saviour. I think this example is very simple compared to others thoughts. Our culture views truth with more complexity that there needs to be a lot of thought done in order to find truth.
ReplyDeleteI have experienced truth while singing Handel's Messiah last year in Redeemer's choir. It was different than anything I have ever experienced before. It was amazing to hear so many voices around me and having the notes float around the room. This is not something that happens every day! It was like a big church service, but it also felt like so much more.
ReplyDeleteI have experienced truth in a process of creating art. I find it especially realistic when I experience some form of art that is either unpleasant, unfinished, harsh, but honesty and authentic. This was something that we had mentioned in class earlier in the week I believe. An example that I can come up with is the album "Good News for People Who Love Bad News" by Modest Mouse(or any album by them for that matter), more specifically the song "The View". You will never find something that angry and bitter in a church and not often in society. Everyone expects you to have it all together, sometimes its not the case.
ReplyDeleteI think there is something to be said about the truth found in Jesus Christ. I distinctly remember seeing Grunewald's Isenheim Altar center panel and being shocked at the portrayal of Christ--His gaunt frame, writhing hands and blood flowing from open wounds has since helped me reflect more upon the Incarnation. Roger Lundin's speech several weeks ago has since opened up this more so, but what is evident in this piece is what W.B Yaets has said as "Love has pitched his mansion in the place of excreiment". Christ met us in our depravity, coming down to our level. Christ was truth incarnate, yet suffered in the most horrific way (physically and spiritually). Being brought out of that excriement , we too are to reflect that truth, which is redemption from the effects of sin. So I am reluctant to say that different forms of truth. Rather, I would say that the truth found in Christ is found in a plethora of forms--which all point to a properly "directioned" creation.
ReplyDeleteI find that the truth that can be experienced through art is the kind that transcends mere head knowledge. It reaches down into our guts and speaks truth to our souls. It is the kind of experience that leaves us struggling for words to describe how we feel because maybe there are none. There are some things and truths in this world that are meant to be felt in our hearts because translating them into words somehow makes the experience smaller. Words can be so limiting sometimes. It is this kind of truth that art best serves.
ReplyDeleteLike Krista said - art can really get "head knowledge" into your heart. It's one thing to read in the scriptures that God loves us, and know it in your head, but it's something else completely to realize it deep in your heart. I really experienced the love of God in that way most recently in Chapel when we were singing "Oh how He loves us" - it's just those few simple words over and over, but it really gets it into your heart and helps you realize it to have it in music. I had to stop singing 'cause I was going to cry.
ReplyDeleteI think I often experience truth in artwork when it is raw and honest, which usually means displaying some form of disappointment, hurt, or despair. The clearest example of truth in art in my mind right now is the performance from the cue team (I think that's how its spelled?) at the last CITB.. It was an incredible display of honesty and really spoke truth to me. It was also a witness to the truth that sets us free, the truth we find in Christ.
ReplyDeleteI think truth in our culture is almost an oxymoron. Like we've said before, our culture is so obsessed with image its a rare occasion to spot truth - complete, raw honesty. Of course, its normal that Truth is counter-cultural no matter what culture we live in. It should be.
One moment I experienced truth in worship is at the end of a choir performance. We all gather afterwards, join together holding hands, despite the ups and downs of the concert, we worship God together by singing the Doxology. 'Praise God from whom all blessings flow'. We all bust out in maybe 12 part harmony and every time I'm almost moved to tears. It isn't a performance, it isn't anything except thanking God for the opportunity to make music and to praise and worship Him.
ReplyDeleteIn a more classical/choir music style, worship comes in the form of a performance and often worship teams are in a way performing. They are on stage, in front of a bunch of people, practice so that things go smoothly and share their gifts. But in these moments of singing the doxology, it's all of us combined, not singing/playing or doing anything for anyone except Christ. It's powerful.
I’ve been really wrestling with this question for a few weeks for a ridiculous reason; I felt that as a visual artist it would be logical for me to find “truth” in visual art. But, like most of you, I can’t get music out of my head. I love music of all sorts and I love singing. Music is so versatile – there’s some super pathetic music but there is also some incredibly deep, profound music. My high school choir did the Messiah and St. John’s Passion and this astounding composition called the Snow Angel and as I sang or listened, I just felt incredible clarity. There’s something so grounding about beautiful music paired with beautiful words. Music is still used to find “truth” in our culture/society/church today. We try to relate what we’re going through with harmonies and lyrics in songs that we write or listen to. When we can’t find “truth” we look to music, or art in general to find it.
ReplyDeleteAt certain times in my life I've experienced somewhat of a third person observation to my surroundings. Its like I've stepped outside of myself to fully appreciate whats going on around me. Usually these moments occur when I'm interacting with some form of art; be it when the Redeemer choir sang the Messiah, the vulnerability of a senior student art show, or a performance of Fiddler on the Roof. These experiences have had a big impact on me and it is in these moments that I feel I have experienced truth. At these times I am so thankful that God has given certain people artistic gifts to share with others and illustrate truth in a completely unique way.
ReplyDeleteMy experiences of truth in art have often been through reading literature. There have been times when I read something that was just so *right*, but if you asked me, I probably wouldn't be able to tell you exactly what it was. In reading stories like The Lord of the Rings, I feel as if I am face to face with undistilled truth, which is something that cannot be explained in a completely rational way. In church, I find that truth has to be spelled out in three point sermons - everything has to fit into its own little box. This experience of truth in literature helps me to remember that God is much bigger than we sometimes pretend he is.
ReplyDeleteThe first moment I think of as “truth” in a form of art brings me back to a performing arts team I was on in high school. For one of the shows I danced with two others to a Natalie Grant song called ‘I Desire’. There was a point in the song that said “to reach out a hand to someone who feels alone, the way you reached for me when there seemed to be no hope.”I felt truth each time I participated in this piece as I had been going through some big changes in my life. During this time felt overwhelming peace and I believe this peace was experiencing ‘truth’. Also, I think this experience was unique as visual arts are what I generally create and at this moment instead of being the creator of the work I was moved to being part of the art piece myself and this was something totally different from what I encounter on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure if I’ve truly experienced truth in art, because what does truth really mean anyway? Is it the truth of Gods love and forgiveness or truth in pain in our fallen world or truth that evil exists all around us? I guess truth can be displayed in any form that highlights a struggle. Something executed that’s not completely black or white, but instead grey. A painting of a couple embracing each other, but when you look closely you discover a deep loneliness in their eyes and facial expression. A song sang by a daughter to a father of great respect, but also great disappointment. A play showcasing a friendship of sincere trust, but only to find out betrayal lurking around the corner. So I guess the truth that I know of is not just good or evil, but the push and pull in between.
ReplyDeleteI think that truth can be revealed through art... perhaps something new that you discover about yourself through the reaction or attitude you have towards artwork. The work of art is an expression, the reaction to the art can generate feelings and emotions that speak to the soul. A man painted on a cross is only meaningful or "true" when you connect it to what you already believe in your heart, while to someone else the feeling may end up being betrayal... it depends who the audience is in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI experience truth in my own artwork in the sense that if I have something to say, it is a lot easier to say with music behind it.
ReplyDelete