Gallery Request: Doubt

The last post inspired an idea in me. I know not many people read this, but perhaps if anyone does and feels so inspired, share this idea with a friend.

I would like to do a theology and art gallery post not created entirely by me or drawn from my internet browsing. Thus, I turn to you, the masses.

I would like to see/read what you might create on the subject of faith, questioning, and doubt. These can be photographs, graphic design, typography, sketch, painting, poetry, etc. Once these are created, email them to me at phoenixrenovatio@gmail.com

I’ll give about a month timeline for submission. Once these are submitted, depending on response, I’ll post them (or the best of them) here for [my small audience of] people to see/read.

Obviously, if no one responds, this is a fruitless post and nothing will be posted in one month. If this is the case, in one month, I request you forget this was ever written. But here’s hoping!

[Image submissions should be in .jpg or .png format. Text submissions should preferably be in .doc or .docx format.]

Theology & Art: Banksy’s Crucifix Image

I would be interested in hearing opinions and interpretations on this piece of graffiti done by the infamous and unknown British graffiti artist/social commentator “Banksy”.

This image carries so many levels of message; both positive and negative. Although I can guess at Banksy’s original intention in creating this image, I understand that with art, much is subject to the interpreter/viewer.

Please feel free to share any thoughts, interpretations, or reactions this image inspires in you by leaving a comment.

Bio: Josiah is a graduate of North Central University in Minneapolis, MN. His thirst for knowledge is only surpassed by his thirst for coffee. Thus, much free time is spent in the quest for the next fix.

Theocommunications: A New Iconic Movement

Preface: I will be starting a new topic on here about an idea of Theocommunications, or the way in which we communicate about God and how to renovate it for the ever-changing culture stream. This will be the first. Others may be done by guest contributors. We’ll just see what comes of it… Enjoy!

You may be staring curiously at your screen wondering why that did not have anything to do with theology. You may have even stopped watching it because you thought I got the link wrong. In fact, I didn’t. This TED Talk centers on the idea of meaning generated from imagery. This is a subject that is not new, it is underlying and its capabilities are only just being understood. The proper term for these images, and one the computer-savvy know all to well, is an icon.

Wikipedia defines it as

“an image, picture, or representation; it is a sign or likeness that stands for an object by signifying or representing it either concretely or by analogy…a name, face, picture, edifice or even a person readily recognized as having some well-known significance or embodying certain qualities: one thing, an image or depiction, that represents something else of greater significance through literal or figurative meaning, usually associated with religious, cultural, political, or economic standing.”

Icons are frequently used to communicate an idea. As the video explains, they make use of multiple areas of the brain to determine what they are, their layout, and how they make us feel. The speaker advocates using visual methods for greater productivity and stronger communication.

I will not be that person who says “Oh, the Church has known this for centuries.” Because, technically, they didn’t. They used it without wielding it. Perhaps they even used it correctly, but in understanding the mechanics of how it works, one is capable of wielding it correctly and efficiently.

The Church for centuries has created icons. These icons are images of Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Cross, etc. A notable fact is that God the Father is never depicted in iconography. This is something that has been lost in the Western Church, because we have images like the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel where God is depicted as a man with a flowing white beard. Strangely enough, when asked to describe their image of God, this is what is conjured up (along with any baggage they might have towards the details of this image, such as the fact He is depicted as a man.) The Eastern and Early Church icons were intended to bring honour to their essence (or “that which they are an image of”) through veneration. Their other use was that of theological education. Details of the images depicted elements of theology regarding the essence of their image. In both areas, the Church must reclaim this lost art.

Increasingly, messages are sent not only through plain text and voice, but these flat messages are combined with vibrant or compelling imagery. From a guilt-inducing commercial for pledging money to victims to the glowing sweat of a Gatorade™ drinking athlete. These communicate messages of need and suffering or energy, and power. Without even saying “Gatorade gives you power and energy to be good at sports,” the images of athletes sweating a pulsing and electric coloured sweat due to a straining athletic feat says just that. These images are everywhere. They tie into things not even related to the subject matter at hand. Nike™, for instance, sponsors Lebron James. They erected this billboard:

We Are All Witnesses

This says nothing about how great Nike is. It simply implicitly claims attachment to Lebron’s success. Yet, when we see this, it is meant to be understood as “I am witness to something great. Something epic. He is successful. Nike aknowledges this. Nike is my agreeing companion and a member of my basketball-fanatic tribe. I agree with Nike.”

“…therefore, I will buy Nike products.”

However, this entire mental process is subconcious and unbeknownst to the viewer who feels instinctually compelled to choose Nike next time they need a new pair of shoes. Even more interesting is the fact that nowhere does it actually say “Nike” or “Lebron James” on the billboard. It is becoming engrained in our culture because it has been picked up on. We are visual creatures. We learn visually. If we communicate visually, people remember the message.

I am not advocating the use of images to sell our message to people. We are not in the business of peddling Jesus. (Or in the Jehovah’s Witnesses case “pedaling” Jesus haha.) However, I am advocating the use of images to communicate messages about Jesus. (I specify “about” because communicating the message of Jesus is only done in the flesh through the flesh.)

A friend of mine recently purchased an icon. When I looked at it, I was immediately aware of its surface beauty.

But the description of this icon reveals far more about its meaning. Its message.

Here Christ is depicted descending into Hades bearing the instruments of the Passion: the Cross, lance, and sponge.  His hands are as if bound but no rope is tying them together, demonstrating that He voluntarily chose to be fettered and willingly suffered for the salvation of all.  We see the bleeding wounds on His side and hands, for He has kept His wounds even in His Resurrection as a sign that His agony and suffering were real and remain as a pledge of His undying Love for each person, even to His Death on the Cross.  With His eyes closed He is truly dead to the world and all of its passionate needs during His descent in to Hades, yet inwardly beholding all things as the all-seeing God.

When we think of God and the attributes that are His by nature–unconditional Love, complete omnipresence and omnipotence, Existence Itself without the boundaries of time and space, all-holiness, absolute compassion and empathy, Truth that is never swayed by partiality yet tempered by Divine Mercy, total understanding–each is astounding and hard to comprehend, but this icon’s “Extreme Humility” is perhaps the most close and dear to us. (Source: Skete.com)

This image communicates far more in examination than in quick glance. Part of this, I believe, is due to unfamiliarity with the symbols. What the modern Western Church needs are images with symbols understood to us in our context and culture.

The Church is in need of a New Iconic movement. We are in need of the creative; the artists, graphic designers, painters, sketchers, filmographers, and photographers. There is a message to be communicated, and a more efficient and memorable way to communicate it.

To be sin for us