Inspired by Jake, I’m going to pull some stuff from old writings, journals, papers, etc that I’ve done and post them here. Below is some rambling thoughts from my journal after my first Art Appreciation class at Wheaton College with Jeff Thompson. But before that, an explanation of my history with art.
Though my mom painted all over our house (literally), I’d never been a big fan of ‘formal’ art. One particular event scarred my art appreciation. Sometime during middle school my parents got a membership to The Art Institute of Chicago, and in doing so, received tickets to view the Monet exhibit when it came through one summer. They dragged us along and I had the terrible experience of waiting for nearly three hours in a line as we wove in and out of exhibit halls waiting to see Monet’s work. Some of the art while we waited was cool, like a painting that nearly looked like a photograph of a man’s face, but others where ridiculous like a massive black canvas with a random digital clock time painted on it. There where also drawings and sculptures that my kid brother could have easily done. When we finally arrived at the famous Monet (sarcasm, but remember, I was a middle schooler), I walked through the 50+ paintings of haystacks in less then a half hour and a fell asleep on a bench at the end of the exhibit. That experience forever scarred my appreciation of art… now back to Thompson’s class.
Here are my notes after my first evening of class:
So artist are people who try to express, communicate, through language, not just words, but body and audible and written and more. They try to communicate the perfect embodiment of human kind. God is an artist. He perfectly embodied his divine nature in the person of Jesus Christ. Thompson is a crazy guy, truly an artist in the stereo typical sense. He’s off the wall with his comments, and yet was quite linear in what he talked about today. He gave some bible verse today, about the rocks crying out and things like that. I appreciated it a lot. The goal is to develop more my appreciation for art and so far so good. Though we haven’t really looked at very much art. His advice to us is when we see an artist encourage them. Listen to them, look at them. But are we all artist? Do we all in some way embody artistry? Or has God put this desire for expression in only a few of us? That is a question worth contemplating for a while I think. But I wonder, what benefit is it for the kingdom to spend hours and hours practicing to play a small part in a ballet that is attended by the very rich? The rich need Jesus too, don’t get me wrong. And I certainly believe God can use all things to bring people to himself, like the worshipful communication that one might see in a ballet, but isn’t there other ways? More direct, or applicable ways to bring people to Christ? I wonder. What would the world be like with out art? God is certainly an artist, with words, with creation, with people, with everything. Are we to be like him in that attribute and create our own artistic expression? Are we to encourage extravagantly expensive artistic activities and individuals spending countless hours expressing themselves in this way? Then again can you draw a line down the middle and decide which art is worshipful expression and which art is superfluous? Can you? I think maybe we just can’t. Well that’s all for now.
Those were real questions, and though I had some of them answered during the course of the class, a lot our still floating out there. Any thoughts?
Hahaha, I have LOTS of thoughts, since I am an artist and spent countless hours in studio and art history classes. I could (and should) write my own essay on this, but I’ll address just one of your questions:
“And I certainly believe God can use all things to bring people to himself, like the worshipful communication that one might see in a ballet, but isn’t there other ways? More direct, or applicable ways to bring people to Christ?”
One could ask the same question about someone who chooses to be a CPA, or an engineer, or a lawyer. Should a person who loves God devote herself only to the work of ministry? Should she ignore the talents that God has given her? Ballet is a rigorous discipline and someone who achieves the success of dancing with a national company has not only great talent but deep commitment; I believe that fully developing the talents God gives us is worship. Being the light of Christ in whatever profession we choose – based on our talents and passions – is valuable and beautiful to the Lord.
A pastor I met several years ago worked full-time as a lawyer for many years and part-time as a pastor for a local church. He said that one day he had a revelation that his secular work was just as holy as his ministry; he was called to represent Christ in the office just as he did in the church. So he came to approach his desk at work with the same dedication as he approached the altar at church. Excellence always honors God.
I’m glad you picked up the archiving posts. I would echo Emily. In art, as in most disciplines, there is worship of God and of self. We have to discern that. I have had to develop my understanding of art as language. Because I know English well, I sense its value in communicating truth. I need to learn other forms of communication in order to better appreciate thier purposes.
Just take a minute to imagine the world without art…
Not many thoughts, but ditto on the questions.
Emily, are you saying that we should view art as a trade, as a livelihood equivalent to accounting, engineering, or law? That seems viable, and it’s certainly something I’ve thought about. But it seems like it still leaves questions unanswered, and it might imply things which artists aren’t itching to accept.
I am an artist. It takes exploration and practice to make wonderful, beautiful, magnificent art. The kind of art that makes your heart yearn for something more. The kind that isn’t kitschy or manipulative. The world needs people who are prophets, musicians, dancers, poets, painters…people who point to something more than mere existence. It isn’t a job; it is a vocation. It is something you do even if you don’t get paid.
I do agree that the rich shouldn’t be the only ones who get to see great art. And perhaps that is where the church comes in…creating space for artists to grow, explore, share…
I don’t have defined thoughts but I will try to string them together. I consider myself an “artist” in several senses…musician, writer, visual artist. My disclaimer is that my “bluntness” sometimes sounds like I might be mad, but I’m not, I know what you’re getting at here, just trying to keep it to the point. First let me start with what I FEEL about my art, although I know that is not objective. I know that when I start thinking my art (whatever form) is a waste of time because I should be out doing something more directly helpful for the Kingdom of God, and I stop creating, I go half-crazy. I get mad, overwhelmed, overworked; I forget things. Point being, I think God created me to create. When I don’t do it, I am not being who He created me to be, therefore I am miserable and ineffective. Second, let’s move on to what art is…I think you have it in a box, because people could say the same thing about your writing. It would be like someone saying, “Shouldn’t you be out feeding the poor or something?” while you are writing what you feel is a meaningful post. Just because it’s something that others have to choose to look at and look for rather than something you are directly physically engaged in, does not negate God’s ability to use it. And being actively engaged in art of any form can bring you to people and places that you would have never otherwise come. People and places that God orchestrated based on your obedience to creating what He called you to create. Third, I don’t think you can categorize it all as something that rich people get the benefit of. Some people give their art away. Some people show it free. Some people dedicate their talents for things like neighborhood rehabilitation as you’ve discussed in your own neighborhood. If art is a waste of time, then that is a waste of time, too. Just leave the neighborhood looking crappy and go out and love people. It’s about the human heart. The human heart loves beauty and truth. If art, in any form, can speak of those things, and if we as artists allow God to lead us in our creation of it, then people will be inspired to change and led to Truth. And back to how it makes me feel, you know me and how I am not very comfortable in groups of people…super-introvert that I am. When I am in a situation where I am “Artist,” I am the most comfortable person in the world. I don’t mind talking to people; I actually enjoy talking to people. I even engage THEM rather than waiting for them to engage me. Because I am who I feel I am supposed to be. Point being, I am completely ineffective (or I feel so) when I am not creating, because I have nothing in me that feels comfortable engaging those around me. And if I have to, I am that overwhelmed crazy person I mentioned above. Not that this is OK…I know I should learn to be that Kingdom-building person no matter what is going on, just that it makes me feel OK being me around others when there is not much else that does. And all of this being said, art can become an idol just like anything else. When you start doing it because of what you can get out of it…here’s a C.S. Lewis quote from The Great Divorce: “You’ll never paint at all if that’s what you’re thinking about…if you’re interested in the country only for painting it, you’ll never learn to see the country…. Every poet and musician and artist, but for grace, is drawn away from love of the thing he tells to love of the telling, till down in deep hell, they cannot be interested in God at all, but in only what they say about Him, for it doesn’t stop at being interested in paint, you know. They sink lower, become interested in their own personalities, and then in nothing but their own reputations.”
Anyway, there is always this danger. But when art remains something that is about other people and God (just like anything needs to be!), I think it is perfectly acceptable and even good. And the hours that you spend creating it, practicing it, etc….those are hours when at least, I feel joined by God because it is Him who enables me to do it. There is a communion with Him, like a partnership that I don’t (or can’t in my level of maturity) yet recognize when I babysit or type invoices for my caterer. That’s all. 🙂
Thanks for sharing everyone! That really did give me quite a bit of insight.
Since these thoughts were 5 years old you’ll be glad to know I have found some answers, but like I said, I think the questions still float out there.
I really do appreciate art, especially on the street level were anyone can do and interact with it. The expensive galleries and million dollar paintings are what I think I’ve had, and continue to have, a hard time with.
Thanks again for your wisdom
I came across this while searching the web for Jeff Thompson, my professor and mentor at Judson College until the spring of 1988 when he left and went to Wheaton. My notes were similar, and he and I had many discussions about God and art. I worked for him at school and in his art studio. I now teach art to elementary and JH students and am very grateful for the lessons he taught, the ideas he inspired, and the questions to which he urged us to seek the truth. Any ideas where I can find him? I’d like to say ‘thanks’.
Christa,
Glad you ran across my post. I just sent a quick email to some of the Wheaton art dept. staff. I'll let you know what I hear back.