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Intro to the IAM conference
So Dusty and I were fortunate enough to attend to the International Arts Movement (IAM) conference recently here in NYC. Artists and theologians from across the country--the world, really (well, I met someone from Canada)--gathered for a weekend to discuss the arts and faith. "Artists as Reconcilers" was the theme. We were blown away by not only the lectures that were presented, but also the "vignettes" (or vinaigrettes, as we called them) of theater, painting, photography, dance, poetry and music were equally amazing. It was, in a word, inspirational.
Since then, we've had many folks ask us to share what we learned with the Haven!! We would love to do this! But how?!! The very thought of us attempting to present some sort of second-hand lecture on topics such as when art became irrelevant and art vs. "kitsch" is both frightening and ridiculous. But as a humble attempt to share some of our experience with you (emphasis on the word humble), we've decided, "Hey, let's find our notes and copy them down for people to read! That way, they can add to them, comment on them, discuss them, and we'll start a huge Haven blog movement!" Truth be told, our notes are sparse, random, and if you can make heads or tails of them, well then the Holy Spirit is working, indeed.
So since I'm a pretty new blogger, I've been advised (thanks, Armi) that we should divide each lecture into a separate entry. So I guess this is the intro entry. Keep reading...
-Shannon Haragan
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Posted by AB on 3/20/2006 | 3 comments
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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 AB on 3/17/2006 | 0 comments
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"Art and Alienation: Reoonciling the Two Cultures" by Nancy Pearcey
The modern age holds a sense of alienation toward the arts and artists. When did the artist and the arts become alienated and irrelevant?? A great deal of 20th century art criticism says art has nothing to do with the current worldview.
Worldview --> art gives us concrete images of our cultural worldview.
Then she took us through a fascinating art history lesson -- the following Reader's Digest version doesn't do it justice in the slightest:
Medieval icons = symbolic sermons. There was a hatred of the material world. During the Renaissance, the icons became more expressive. Then during the Reformation, art was often depicted ordinary people and trade works. The counter-reformation led toward the Baroque style, indicating that God can be present in and through the material world. Then came the Englightenment: if the universe is a vast machine, everything is determined by natural laws. A very machinistic worldview. Then Romanticism, a very organic worldview. Untamed, quasi-pantheistic.
Bottom line -- art was influenced by the changing definitions of truth. What has happened to the concept of truth in modernity? Art began to be alienated when it became disconnected from the concept of truth. The modern age is marked by the shattering of the unity of truth.
During the Age of Enlightenment -- science was thought of as the only form of truth. For the first time, it became socially acceptable to question Christianity. Christianity and the arts were put on the defensive. Rationalists said if the arts don't lead to scientific knowledge, what good are they?
Aristotle said the arts are more true than history. History is only about individuals; art is about humankind. Only in the modern west does the ideal(?) of art have nothing to do with spirituality.
Nancy Pearcey is a Francis A. Schaeffer scholar at the World Journalism Institute. She was seriously amazing. She has a book out called Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity.
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Posted by AB on 3/17/2006 | 1 comments
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"Reconciling Art" by Miroslav Volf
There is always a transgressive moment in art. Modernity has a tough time with boundaries.
If there are no boundaries -- there is no art.
If there are no boundaries -- there is no life.
Chaos = no thing; nothing.
Boundaries are important.
On what grounds can we draw boundaries? Socially: if it's an exertion of power, then it's not reconciliation.
Every artistic act is an act of violence. Only if you can presume the goodness of a boundary, (can art become possible? Sorry can't read my own writing).
Mr. Volf urged us to read, but to stick with one or two great minds: Augustine, C.S. Lewis, Luther -- read all of their works. That will benefit you more than reading 50 contemporary books. He spoke of a book called Cafe Europa -- supposed to be an amazing book re. the mind set of Communists/Communism.
Forgiveness is an interpersonal event, not just an internal one. When you forgive, you also blame. So any act of forgiveness is also an injury. Proper forgiveness aims at the response on the other side. Sometimes reconciliation even at its best is incomplete.
Drawing boundaries -- ability to say yes to something and no to something else. No to sin; yes to sinners. Grace of generosity: give more than you expect to receive. To be a reconciler, you need to be a lover of boundaries.
*The goal of a redeemed community -- so you can go on a journey with those with whom you are reconciled."
-Miroslav Volf
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Posted by AB on 3/17/2006 | 0 comments
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"St. Francis of Assisi: The Living Candle" by Ian Cron
"Poetry is a way of remembering what it would impoverish us to forget."
-Robert Frost
Entertainment vs. Art:
Entertainment = predicted pleasure in a predicted way. People leave essentially unchanged. Art opens up the possibility for transformation. Art engages. Where can you engage society, community?
Arts Education (& the demise of):
We've convinced America that the purpose of arts education is to produce more artists.
St. Francis termed the phrase "anthropocentric narcissism." It is the belief that God is only interested in saving souls. St. Francis believed that everything -- everything -- each tree, each rock, each blade of grass -- was the unrepeatable expression of a unique and personal God. Everything has "this-ness." Not "those" elms, but THIS ELM. As it stands, we are not reconciled to Creation. Instead, we control and exploit nature.
Ian Cron is senior pastor at Trinity Church in Greenwich, Connecticut, and author of the soon-to-be-published book on St. Francis of Assisi -- and he's an amazing speaker!! *** On that note: Ian Cron is our retreat speaker for the Haven Retreat (June 2-4) ***
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Posted by AB on 3/17/2006 | 2 comments
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