This is the fourth and final piece that we'll be posting from "Creating from the Heart" (probably!) I'm hoping that Adella will weigh in, as she found many of the sayings of Jesus that Ken read to be harsh and troubling. Having heard such sayings requiring me to "hate my family", "take up my cross", "let the dead bury the dead" for most of my life, I discovered that I had strong filters in place, protecting me from the hard demands of following Jesus. Sharing the studio experience with Dells made me look again at what is asked of us. In this season of resurrection, the season that wouldn't be without the cross and crucifixion, what do you think of Jesus' demands?
Also, some in the class found this painting troubling, and yet it makes a feminist statement about creation and creativity. Does it trouble you, speak to you, or perhaps both?
Join us on April 25th to continue the discussion, at the New Creations Cafe Coffeehouse!
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I love this image; it seems light-hearted to me. Joyful. Irreverant. I'm sorry I'll be missing the coffeehouse on the 25th; it's my last trip to KC before Adam is here.
ReplyDeleteJesus's demands are heafty in this time because I know for me, I'm basically pretty selfish. The I remember His suffering and I think any sacrifice He asks of me must be met.
I can't help but wonder how those who find this piece "troubling" would react to an H.R. Giger exhibition.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with Giger -- do you have a link or particular image in mind?
ReplyDeleteThe eyes on this image are pentrating and so evocative. They call to me and yet I find myself wanting to look away, at least initially. Maybe this response is similar to how we hear some of the more difficult passages of Jesus from the Bible. I want to turn away and yet they engage me just the same -- poking at my assumptions, causing me to wrestle.
Steve! I FORBID you to post Giger's stuff here!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is too complex for me!
ReplyDeleteGiger (http://www.hrgiger.com) designed the creature for Alien. His work is wonderful, but often very dark. Folks tend to describe him as a surrealist, but that's really a misnomer. He describes himself as a fantastic realist, which is more accurate both in the look of his work, and where it falls in the development of artistic schools. For a time sci-fi and fantasy literature spawned its own visual genre, which seems to have gone on to live an independent life as it has matured.
ReplyDeleteDells -- I'm wondering which passage inspired this image and your thoughts about it. Really.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering the same thing as Abi. I have to admit to a strong reaction to the piece. I have checked it several times and it has felt similary each time. Mike and I both looked at it, and, having been in the Middle East, saw a veil-like piece at first right under the eyes. He didn't even see the "breast" image at all. My initial reaction to the piece was that it felt angry, kind of an "I don't need Jesus; I have everything I need right here." My daughter thought "she looked sad". As I've looked at it this time, I do see a sweet sign of growth and creation, that of a plant growing from the base of the piece, instead of the other possibility. Certainly creation and women go together. I just can't imagine what scripture you were responding to. It's a very strong image. By the way, Steve, I looked up Giger and found his work quite "dark" as Marnie said. I have a good childhood friend who also does dark work. http://www.mindspring.com/~hendall/index.html I was his first crush. It scares me.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn,
ReplyDeleteI visited Dan Henderson's page, and am intrigued that while I never had the surgery he did, our "ocular history" is much the same. I've wondered too if I'd be an artist if my vision were "normal". His work is fascinating, and I'm intrigued that he has an image entitled "migraine man". Does he suffer from them, do you know? That image looks like he must. Funny, I found his work really dark on first glance, and although it continues to have that edge, the more I look at his images, the less dark they feel.
Thanks for sharing the link!
Marnie
The thing that bothers me most is that I *just* see T&A. I guess those could be sad eyes, or the mournful eyes of Christ, but I really just see body parts that flip back and forth. I'll leave it up to you to decide how perverted the viewer is.
ReplyDelete