#readingreflectionpost

Summary: This week we read an article called “Let the Games Begin” by Stephanie Sabo about Tina’s art project. Her art project depicted sports uniforms crocheted and other games for the guest to interact with. We also read an article called “Art as a Proper Job” which was about people doing art for money or for fun and some practical ways to be successful when making art. Finally we watched a video called “Love the Art. Hate the Artist”. This video was about artists whose art was really famous and well liked but then the media would uncover something bad about them and then no one would look at or buy their art anymore. 

Reflection: I thought that Tina’s project “Love is an Action Word” was very creative but I didn’t really get it. I think I would be able to understand it if I was there or could see it in person. I definitely think that it is important to remember that play is necessary in our lives (especially as adults) and we should not be ashamed to play. One chapter I read in a book was titled “Sabbath Delight” and it talked about Sabbath as play. Taking the day off to just play and do what you love to do. God delights in our play and our joy. 

“Art as a Proper Job” was interesting because it brought up how it can be hard to make a living in art because everyone wants the big name art from artists. People don’t really care about the art unless it is made by someone they know. Because of this it is hard to get yourself out there. In the article there was an experiment to test this theory. A famous artist made a piece of art with a random name and entered it into a show. Then he changed the name making it know that it was his art and it was sold almost immediately. We do this all the time, we are most likely to watch movies without favorite actors in them, or listen to music by are favorite artists. I can only imagine the doubt and frustration that artists feel when they are trying to become known. 

I really liked the video we watched. It is a good reminder that people are always watching what you do. They do care about the Artists past, regardless of  whether what they hear is true or not.

Summary: This week we read an interview with Lynn Aldrich who is an artist who makes sculptures and things from common everyday objects. We also watched a Manifesto video that was made as a piece of art by Julian Rosefeldt. I have never seen art like that and I was very intrigued. We also read a chapter called “The Times” in Imagine. This chapter was about artists staying relevant and even ahead of current times if they want to be successful. 

 Reflection: I really enjoyed the interview with Lynn Aldrich. I think she wonderfully explained  how I think Christian artists should create art. She doesn’t necessarily make art that is “Christian looking” on the outside. Yet, she uses her knowledge of creation, nature, and of the incarnation of God into man to shape her artwork. She is aware of the cultural mandate to take care of the Earth (Genesis 1: 29). A lot of her work is about the environment or the ecosystem. She wants to warn society that they are making nature and natural resources less and less available. Her way of speaking up is through her artwork. Art doesn’t need to be about the cross or Jesus to be Christian. It can be about how the artist believes we can make the world a better place. 

The video Manifestos we watched by Julian Rosefeldt were really weird. I think the idea is really cool and I think it was awesome that he used film to bring awareness to different art/political movements going on at that time. I didn’t really connect with them because I didn’t understand those movements or why Rosefeldt wanted to make people aware of them. But, I do think the project was really creative and it got me thinking about how I could do something like that on my own. The video we watched of the family at dinner was interesting, but when the woman was listing all the different types of art she believes in, I was forced to think about things that I would not normally consider as art. So my mind was opened a little more. The other Manifesto I watched was number 4, with the punk tattoo women. I also didn’t understand what I was supposed to be thinking about in that clip. But, maybe that is the point. Maybe the point is that we come to our own conclusions of our society. Honestly while watching that video, I thought how that is a place I would never want to go. Then I asked myself, “if Jesus called me to witness in a place like that, would I be brave enough to go?”. I honestly don’t know. 

The chapter in Imagine was very unique. I had never considered how many artists are (sometimes) decades ahead of their time with their work. Steve Turner talked about how artists who don’t make art about current events or future possibilities are often thought of as unsuccessful. I am not sure I fully agree with this. Sometimes it is nice to reminisce about “old times” and get away from the current problems that face our world. However I do see the reason why contemporary or futuristic art is fascinating to most people. It is very interesting to imagine how life will be in the future so many people are drawn to art with futuristic ideas.

Summary: We read an article that talked about being creators because God created us and using that gift and our other talents for him. Both the book readings touched on the imago dei aspect of Christian lives and what it means to live in the image of God. 

Reflection: I liked how the article from “Art and Soul” talked about not only being stewards of creation and the earth but also being stewards of our talents and gifts God has given us. God is a creating God and creator God, so why shouldn’t we create? An old friend once told me “ If you disrespect the creation, you disrespect the creator”. She was speaking in terms of judging people and speaking badly about someone but this can be applied to the earth or any type of artwork that we made. We need to be careful not to disrespect the creation because ultimately God created all of us so we want to be careful not to disrespect him. 

I have always been extremely passionate about knowing where our identities lie. I heard a message series preached at my youth group on this when I was in Middle school and High school and it was one of the top three most important things I have ever learned. Knowing that, as a Christian, our identity is rooted in Christ, is one of the biggest blessings and also one of the most important concepts we grasp in this life. Don Perini talked about what it means to be made in the Imago Dei, the image of God, and I am not sure I completely agree with him. He said he once thought, “Oh this must mean I am somewhat like him in being or essence. But I could not have been further from the truth. Imago Dei is not a description of our being, like a soul, or mind, or hand...rather we are like him in our tasks” (32). I actually think both things are true. I do believe that we have some part of God in us, he breathed in us so we have the very breath of God in our lungs, so yes we have a physical piece of God within us. Not to mention the Holy Spirit comes and dwells inside us when we accept him as Lord. However, I also believe that we are like him in our creative tasks just like Perini said. 

I also really enjoyed what was said in All That Is Made. The author talks about how being a creator is a description of us but it’s not meant to define us (40). This was really powerful to me and I can't wait to explore this idea further.