47 Responses to “paintings for theologians”

Pages: « 1 [2]

1. 31
   ned flanders Says:
   February 5th, 2006 at 4:06 pm

   nilmot & lionfish

   Great discernment to be able to see a spiritual message in blasphemous art

   when you go walking down the road and see some dog droppings maybe you can enlighten us to the spiritual
   meanings in the scriptures

   or when a woman is raped you can somehow see the spiritual message in that

   I have a message for you piss-christ is nothing more than a demonic blasphemous outworking of a evil heart.

   Some things are that simple and anyone that approves of them like kieren only reveals his spiritual ignorance

2. 32
   Lionfish Says:
   February 5th, 2006 at 4:51 pm

   Respectfully Ned,

   My point is (and that of Nilmot I would assume) is that it perpetually highlights the humililiation, mockery, rejection and indignation that Christ suffered on the Cross at the hands of sinful man - that same attitude that is alive today.

   Nobody said or implied that they thought that the painting was Godly, accurate - or even great art.

3. 33
   Kieren Green Says:
   February 5th, 2006 at 5:36 pm

   Exactly. I doubt whether it is great art. But I’m not a government registered art critic. So that opinion may not be valid.

   Blasphemy. Why would God care if someone puts a picture of a cross in a jar of urine. He might raise an eyebrow, but do you really think he would take offence? Or is the offence just in the minds of some people with a certain presuppositions about God?

   A lot of religious symbolism and ritual just seems to be for the benefit of believers. Didn’t God say he didn’t get any kicks out of burnt offerings?

4. 34
   Kevin Says:
   February 6th, 2006 at 6:41 am

   Lionfish - Yes Jesus did suffer humiliation. But the photograph is intended to be a continued humiliation. Do you think the intent of the artist has anything to do with spirituality, redemtion or a vague message about Jesus love or even humanity, or is it just another slap in the face of Christ. I see the artist as saying Piss (on) Christ, and from what I gather about his writing, (I mean, the gospel story is nonsensical to start with,)I think kieren would be in agreement with that sentiment. But I doubt he would say it, he just seems to dance with it.

5. 35
   Kieren Green Says:
   February 6th, 2006 at 7:24 pm

   Art is playing with symbols that have meaning for some people at some time. Some symbols would be universally recognised for a long time, like depictions of the human form, but their meaning would change over time.

   Because some symbols have a particular type of meaning (for example, sacred) for some people, does not make them immune from ridicule or criticism. After all, symbols are just human inventions. What have they got to do with your God, Ned? Why are you keen on defending a human creation? Doesn’t this remove your attention from God?

   And by the way, Ned, I don’t mind personal attacks, but please try to make them humourous and then we can all laugh a bit longer.

6. 36
   the rev Says:
   February 6th, 2006 at 8:45 pm

   I thought that was a stunning and beautiful photogragh. I do not completely understand what the artist was trying to say, but I know that Serrano is a Catholic, and that the crucifix is an essential part of the Catholic tradition. I think with art the easy interpretation is usually the wrong one.

   Most people see nothing spiritual about my minimalist paintings but to me they are extremely spiritual in nature.

   the rev

7. 37
   Kieren Green Says:
   February 6th, 2006 at 8:52 pm

   So you do paintings now as well as write people’s names on the wall, Rev.

8. 38
   the rev Says:
   February 6th, 2006 at 9:00 pm

   Not sure what you are talking about, but yes I do paintings, infact I have an agent in Los Angeles, though she hasn’t sold anything in a long time.

   this is a tryptich I did about two years ago.

   the rev

9. 39
   the rev Says:
   February 6th, 2006 at 9:01 pm

   sorry image didn’t go through

   you can see some of my artwork here http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=3301705&uid=1340411&members=1

   the rev

10. 40
    halieus Says:
    February 8th, 2006 at 1:02 am

    Hi rev, interesting pieces. I like “stigmata” and “fortitude”, but it’s hard to experience without being there in life. What medium did you use for “red cross”? They look like thick glazed porcelain tiles.

    So rev, what do you think about paintings for theologians? An odd choice of paintings I thought. Some magnificent and masterful paintings, but why do theologians want to see them? Requiring Jesus to be depicted in the painting was a limiting idea I thought. One of my first choices for theologians to meditate on would have been Picasso’s ‘Guernica’.

11. 41
    dan Says:
    February 8th, 2006 at 9:01 am

    But they did include my favourite theological painting - Dali’s Christ St John of the Cross (which I have tried for years to get a print of without success).

    I agree that many paintings such as Guernica could be extremely valuable for theologians. There are also many religiously themed artworks which do not depict Jesus which would be interesting for theolgians too.

12. 42
    halieus Says:
    February 8th, 2006 at 9:56 am

    Hi Dan, Dali’s Christ St John of the Cross is an extraordinary masterpiece. I admit I didn’t take any time to try to understand the purpose of the list and so felt that rather than expose theologians to depictions of what is no doubt familiar to them, it would be less insulating and more beneficial for them to view other expressions of life and love, of humanity and fragility and in the case of Guernica, the preventable horrors and injustices of war, violence and the scourge of fascism.

    It was just a passing thought really. Thanks for posting the list. I certainly enjoyed viewing them.

13. 43
    the rev Says:
    February 8th, 2006 at 11:27 am

    I use drywall mud, or finishing plaster on panels and then use acrylic paint, sanding and polishing them. They are very textural, and the finish comes from polishing the pieces with my bare hand.

    the rev

14. 44
    the rev Says:
    February 8th, 2006 at 7:05 pm

    Oh, and I don’t really understand the criteria for deciding what art is for theologians. Why would Jesus need to be in the picture. I think that non representational art can often have much deeper meaning as it makes you look for the meaning rather than enabling you to just dismiss it as the subject matter only.

    I just love art, and see something spiritual in a lot of art, sometimes for good, sometimes for evil.

    Oh and Kieren you still haven’t explained what you were talking about?

    the rev

15. 45
    Kieren Green Says:
    February 8th, 2006 at 7:49 pm

    Rev, it refers to a scene in the movie “Big Daddy” starring Adam Sandler.

16. 46
    the rev Says:
    February 8th, 2006 at 8:44 pm

    Ah!!! sorry I didn’t get the reference, though I love Adam, I didn’t see that movie. Happy Gilmore, now that was funny

    the rev

17. 47
    halieus Says:
    February 8th, 2006 at 11:11 pm

    Thanks rev, good result. I love art too but it’s been a while since I had anything to do with it, or even spent time appreciating it.

Pages: « 1 [2]