Notes from our "WHY" session

I. Why do people make art?

    a. To get attention

    b. “Pompousness”

    c. Because I have to

        i. because I’m compelled to copy God and must satisfy human creativity

        ii. Because otherwise ideas are trapped inside my head. Different kinds of art say things that words can’t

    d. when trying to figure something else out

    e. it’s a natural antidepressant (the act of making art)… also can be a depressant (the content) “I feel     less depressed, and I’m making them depressed” – Cameron ;)

    f. experimenting with ideas and material

    g. to get to know yourself

    h. communication

    i. cultural change or cultural critique

    j. bringing glory to God

    k. Asthetics and beauty

    l. Letting people in: honesty and vulnerability

    m. To challenge something

    n. To tell a story

    o. To draw attention to specific things

    p. Because it’s awesome and fun.



II. Why do people engage in art?

    a. We want to be known, and we want to know.

        i. Example: facebook!

    b. we want to escape from reality

    c. to be grounded more deeply in reality

    d. for the sake of conversation. “I like to discuss what others have to express”

    e. To see different ways of doing things, and to be inspired

    f. To connect with emotion

    g. For the sake of wonder and awe; it points you to God.

III. How is our approach to art as Christians different and/or similar?

    a. Different:

        i. Modern art is all about pushing boundaries… about “pompousness.” This doesn’t fit the                     Christian worldview. There are different goals.

        ii. Our worldview infiltrates everything we create. What you believe changes your perspective on         everything. As Christians, we look for redemptive qualities where others wouldn’t. We see Christ         in the stories.

    b. Similar:

        i. Various humanistic reasons… for the sake of helping others/communicating truth, changing                 culture, starting conversations.

        ii. Regardless of what we believe, we still reflect God in our act of “subduing and ruling over” our         mediums, so to speak.



IV. What prevents the church from engaging in/approving of art?

    a. Often the church tries to be “safe”

    b. If the art doesn’t specifically preach, it’s not accepted.

    c. We like the “feel better” Jesus.

    d. It needs to be pretty/decorative

    e. There’s no control. It’s messy and doesn’t fit into formulas.

    f. Art can be offensive. Many well known artists are against religion. It’s hard to embrace what we         see as antichristian.

    g. We like things to be black and white.



V. What do we do now?

    a. “Die with a refrigerator full of Bibles”

    b. Be true to yourself. Your identity is in Christ.

    c. Pay attention to what’s going on in the world.

    d. Validate and encourage each other. Spend time together.

    e. Emphasize the common ground we have with non-Christians as creative humans.

Aftershock

Here's the poem I'm bringing to discuss tonight. If everyone involved would be up for posting their "found art" as well, either before or after, that would be fantastic. Thanks guys.

-Laura

Aftershock
by Michael Rumley-Wells

Flames leaped into the sky
and music roared and burst
and a thousand ideas for making
Life just what we want
crashed through my head
like the waterfall
where we sat quietly and listened
to its roaring; now it roared
inside and I knew
I knew I knew
I had what I wanted
and we would
never go back
there.

The serpent scratched
its ear with its hind leg
and I looked at the fruit
in my bare hand,
and I tried to pick one
out of the thousand.
They were fading now
along with the flames
and I wanted more;
another bite.

A&T is POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT WEEK!

Hey everybody! Aaron here, letting you know that Art and Theology will be postponed until NEXT week (April 14th) so that Laura can have a chance to get back and so that everyone has a bit more time to prepare (like me). The theme of our next meeting is going to seem pretty familiar but with a twist: I want everyone to bring in a piece of ANOTHER ARTIST's art and let the group take a look at it. We're going to be examining in more depth how artists attempt to influence their audience both in a positive and negative way and how we can relate that to art and the Gospel. The art can be in any medium (I would love some diversity) and can be about any subject you see fit, although bonus points for anyone who can bring in a piece specifically about the Gospel in addition to some other piece.

Alrighty, well thanks everybody. I look forward to seeing y'all next week!

Art and Theo is STILL ON!

Hey everybody! Art and Theo is STILL ON. Same time, same place (7:00 @ the Flatiron Woods). We're going to be checking out an article/video clip about art and then do some talking BUT I would also like to leave some time open for some more art if anyone wants to bring some. This is going to be a bit less structured than normal (oh jeez...) since Laura is out of town and I've been pretty busy this week with work, but I think we can make it happen. I'll bring any reading/viewing material so just bring yourself and any art you want to show us.

Thanks everyone!

Aaron M.

Hey everybody! I had a great time the other night, thanks for coming and bringing some great art. Here's that picture that I showed y'all, I'll repost it someday when I have it "finished." Thanks for all the encouragement!

Oh, and let's see some of that other art get up on here!

Our first ever post

Hi everybody -- here's our art and theology blog.

I'm adding my picture from tonight.  All of you feel free to post the things you brought.  that would be much appreciated.

Thanks again for coming.  See you soon!

"grow from it"