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"Intelligent Humility" by Betty Spackman
Ezekiel 36 -- not for us, but for the nations around us, so that they can see God work through us.
Betty Spackman was one of our favorites. She's amazing. She spoke on Christian art versus "kitsch" and she approached the topic with such a humble and loving spirit, we were humbled.
Jean Vanier -- 3 stages of love (and she paralleled it to our attitudes toward "kitsch"-type art, in particular):
1. Repulsion -- based on fear, ignorance and arrogance. Instead of expressing our pain, we want to be the answer. We want to express the light, but there's not enough light in us, so the art becomes sappy.
2. Tolerance/benevolence -- less fear, more informed, less arrogant -- but still at a distance. We engage in order to help the "have-nots." (To be rich = to have the time of day, and not share it with your neighbor).
3. Wonderment -- Love overcomes fear. You are open to understand and communicate. Humility. It's a place of curiosity and discovery. A place of sharing, community and collaboration.
"Message Art" -- one-liner propaganda. Good intentions, but not intelligent intentions. We must let go of our message in order to listen to God and others. This letting go is often a difficult and dangerous leap for Christians who desire to "tell the truth" with their art. We want to control the message. Take comfort in taking risks and trust that God is free to chastise you! It's not only about how we can change the world, but how God can change us when we let go!!
How does/can fiction tell the truth? Fiction can bring you to truth by making you think beyond the facts. Truth and fact are not the same thing. Jesus taught in parables because when you go beyond the facts, things happen.
** We are not in control of what other people hear. Trust that God will work through it. Be obedient and be free and He'll use what you do!**
Betty Spackman is an installation artist based in Vancouver -- and she was an amazing speaker! She wrote a book that looks amazing called A Profound Weakness: Christians and Kitsch. Check it out!
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Posted by Armistead Booker on 3/17/2006 | 0 comments
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