Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Artistry

Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bzalel son of Uri...and I have filled him wih the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts... Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach...to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you."
(Exodus 31;1-3, 6)


Some of you may be wondering what my film classes are like here at Regent. So, today I'm posting some excerpts from a class syllabus because this professor I think has summed up our vision well. (The bold font below is from the syllabus.)


"One of the great hinderances to the development of biblically informed mainstream art (particularly music, literature, and film) has been the preception that Christians should make Christian art and that "Christian art" is always explicitly religious. Understood this way, "Christian art" is not distinguished b a regenerated outlook on the whole of life but by a narrow focus on Bible stories, saints, martyrs, and the individual's relationship with God. Consequently, "Christian art" is usually seen as either an aid in worship or means for evangelism.

"Is it any wonder a Christian understanding remains largely absent both in commercial art and on the experimental fringes? It's rare to find Christians directing in Hollywood, producing serious fiction, or writing plays for London's West End or Nw York's own Broadway. It's even rarer to find them in the alternative arts venues, such as comedy clubs, and contemporary dance theaters. The average person, today, in tune with culture, would be hard-pressed to name a single contemporary animator, screenwriter, dramatist, choreographer, novelist, comedian or painter of faith, even though Christianity remains the dominant religion in both Europe and the Americas.

"The aim of this course is to explore the reasons why things are this way in the hopes that, through understanding, changes may take place and that Christians who are artists will feel valued, encouraged, inspired, and emboldened to take their place within the dominant culture. This, as all courses in the College of Communcation and the Arts, is ultimately concerned with how the committed Christian can blend his/her faith with what they learn here. Especially of concern is how the issues raised by this course are to be considered in comparison to your own a priori worldview. You will be urged to consider all readings, lectures and discussions in light of your own Christian faith."


"DEPARTMENTAL (CINEMA-TELEVISION) PROGRAM OUTCOMES:

--"To reclaim the power of "Story" and to weave Christian values and enduring truths in infinitely fresh and relevant ways.

--"To allow students to explore and refine their craft through observation, intense study and practice.

--"To grow artists who can create media infused with Light to those with eyes to see and ears to hear.


"COUSE (THE CHRISTIAN ROLE IN THE ARTS TODAY) OUTCOMES:

--"Appreciate the manner in which art "blesses" us in ways that are hard to quantify; enjoyment of God, wonder, transcendence.

--"Discern the appropriateness, effectiveness, and ethical dimensions of biblically informed mainstream art and to be able to distinguish between illusion and deceit instead of the simplistic "Christian vs. Secular" explanations of art in the world.

--"Identify various methodologies and themes in art, such as metaphor-making, myth and fantasy, illusion, as well as proper uses of enchantment that help up cope with he complexities of life and also illuminate our faith.

--"Understand and better articulate their own unique sense of calling as imbedded artists within the culture.

--"Express a growing aesthetic appreciation for the language and forms of Art: Music, Poetry, Drama, Literary fiction, Dance, Painting, Film, Animation, Sculpture, etc. Main emphasis will be upon primary venues in which artists who are Christian tend to work (music, film, and prose fiction).

--"Trace the origins and development of art within and without the Church, track its historical evolution (iconophiles to iconoclasts), as well as its more contemporary manifestations."


Filmmakers are storytellers. In fact, Jesus was also a storyteller, and He spoke in parables for a reason. Humans love narrative; it's in the very fabric of our beings. He created us that way. Stories transcend cultures, time, and even language. It, like all forms of art, has an innate power to reach the human heart as well as the mind.

The primary goal of any artist--whether dancers, painters, filmmakers, musicians, etc.--is to create excellent art for God's glory. We are storytellers, we are communicators, and we are artists. Our role is not to preach, but rather to express; thus, in many instances we can reach areas a sermon never can. Our delight is to make GOOD ART, although it may not necessarily be easy art in that it may not be easily understood or "accessible" to the masses--but then again, the masses are not our calling. Artistry is our calling and our mission field is those who take the time, effort, and discipline to understand and connect with the medium of art.

Art can, and the best art often is, difficult. Difficulty is not bad; in fact, as Christians, we should be able to create the most difficult art of all because we have the opportunity to see things from God's perspective and gain a broader, truer, deeper understanding of life, the issues we face, the things we feel.

We make art that is redemptive.
We make art that challenges ourselves and others in our thinking.
We make art that is honest, whether or not it is beautiful.
We make art that resonates with the deepest desires of the human heart.
We make art that inspires, that hurts, that whispers, that shouts, that glories in beauty, that braves ugliness, that imagines, that is real.

We make art because we, as human beings, are created to image the Great Artist in this broken world.

We are storytellers, pointing to the Author of the great narrative that encompasses all of us.

That is our calling.

We are storytellers, we are artists.

1 comment:

losparsons said...

I love this. In fact, I should really print it out and paste it in my art journal. I feel honored to be a Christian artist with you!