Tuesday, December 1, 2009
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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
Sometimes I think the church clings too tightly to tradition - so much so that people come to view Christianity as boring and irrelevant. Perhaps it is our job as artists to start with the base that the tradition arose out of and reinvent it in a new way - to make ties between what was and what is. Similar to the last conceptual project we did, we have the opportunity to reinterpret traditions as well.
ReplyDeleteIn the past I have seen traditions as being somewhat irrevelent. Now, with more maturity (but not too much more ;)) I think that I can say there is a lot of importance to where most tradition is coming from and it is a matter of understanding the tradition. If we can understand the tradition ( the good ones ) and where it is coming from or its purpose we can reinterpret it. There are so many synonymes for adjectifs - thus as artists we hold the gift to make people feel feelings that cannot be expressed with words and because of that we must do more than what has always been done. I believe that we need to hold on to some tradition to ground us. When we offer something new and unexpected there has to be something someone understands or make a reference to - it has to connect. In other words tradition doesn't let us go off the deep end - and I think that is good because then we may become obsessed with something that is so different that we lose the point we are trying to make and it is no longer art.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there should be a dichotomy between "tradition" and the ability "to offer something new and unexpected." Instead, I would suggest that tradition should bolster the ability to create and introduce new things. I feel too often that we see tradition as a thing that closes doors instead of opening them. Despite how "conservative" our churches may be, it is important to mine our tradition and find where the doors are opening.
ReplyDeleteI asked a similar question in my interview with Maria Gabankova, and I really liked what she said. I asked how we can reconcile being connected to a tradition and the pressure as artists to present something new. She responded with "what is new?" She said that it isn't so much about saying something new, but about how it's said. She observed that many people are quick to shut off and close their ears when it comes to organized religion, so as Christian artists we have to find a way to express something to them in a way that they will be open to. I think that that is a really good point. As artists we are to be creative with the medium but not the message. The core truths that we believe and share remain the same, and this is what connects us to "tradition". But the way that we tell the story can and should be new and unexpected...
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to know where we come from and why we believe what we believe, but it doesn't stop there, which is where tradition can become a problem. We need to actively participate in this tradtion, and like Denise said, find a way to reinvent it. I think that's why new music and bands and different styles of Christian music can be an incredible witness tool. The other day an organist told me that anything accompanied by anything electronically altered was for the heathens. We need to be careful what are attitudes are and be willing to expand our box of thinking. But everything we do, we have to know why we do it, so in this sense we need to hold fast to a living tradition.
ReplyDeleteIn some of my experience, it is that tradition, in some cases right down to the ritual of sunday morning meetings, that drives people away and deprives faith of life. Not to say that all tradition does this, but its dangerous when tradition becomes more important than a persons well-being, soul, experience, heart, and life. I know that we live in a world where its all being challenged and its all hard to let go, but if we hang on so tightly that other souls are affected negatively, I don't think its any more righteous. A dangerous line to cross.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, it has been newer Christians that do not like tradition very much. I think that it is as important for Christian artists to create for these Christians as well as the traditional Christian. I think that it is important for Christians to take what they know and what they believe to experience God more fully. By experiencing God like this, others can experience him too. By doing this, it is also important to keep in mind those Christians who are different from ourselves, and be aware of their traditions but to still stay fast to our own.
ReplyDeleteI think that we have been stuck in a mash of different people who like different things. For me, a lot of unconventional work is frustrating because, frankly, I find some of it ridiculous. I think tradition should be adhered to, but if there is no new take on it, no one is interested or it becomes kitsch. I also think that unconventional things can be done well, but there is a risk of being too "avant garde" and having it become irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteBefore we hold up traditions I think it’s important to revaluate those traditions. Do they have purpose, are they biblical, do they honour God and are they affective tools in reaching people both Christians and non. Traditions can be very valuable if there are rooted in positive principals, but they can also be very ridged and inhibit growth. I am not opposed to tradition or the exploration of new things, as long as they have purpose in Christ. Artists should fully take advantage of both avenues, but remember and accept that many viewers may not understand or even dislike. Christ will ultimately be the judge.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason why some people are skeptical or frustrated with traditions in the church is because they don't understand them - especially for Christians who haven't grown up with a church background. An amazing opportunity that artists have is to speak to people in a whole different language that can help others gain a new perspective or understanding on traditions that perhaps they just couldn't wrap their heads around before. I think in trying to reinvent these traditions to shed light on them in a new way, it is important for the artist to be conscious of the purpose of their art and the reasons for creating it. This way, the art does hopefully not become self-serving or represent something that does not show truth.
ReplyDelete