Cultural Event #4

I was a little short on time this week, so I opted for one of my "optional" options for a cultural event.

While in Salt Lake running certain errands, I found myself with some extra time on Temple Square. Deciding to visit the conference center, I discovered that they had a huge gallery of religious art displayed in the West wing! Above are some of my favorite pieces. I tried to think about everything that we're learning in class about how to read art. So with these pieces, the ones I really liked, and tried to think about their context, intended audience, and the author's thoughts.

The first painting was titled "Solitude" and shows a woman outside of a castle in nature praying. Immediately the topic of secret prayer came to mind. That in and of itself gives the painting important meaning- especially to its intended audience of LDS folk. But then I wondered, why would the artist choose a castle in the background? The girl is wearing a dress which can be considered modern or archaic, so it's difficult to tell the time period. What I ended up deciding is that it can be both. In times present and ancient we build walls around our lives that are so thick and high to protect ourselves, that sometimes the only way to get to God is to stray outside of them.

I forgot the title to the next painting.... But it portrays Christ appearing before Pilate beaten and bloody. The painting itself is very symmetrical; and yet very weighted. While the eye tends to give equal weight to each side of the painting, the reality is that the King on the left is of far more importance than the king on the right. Although despised and tortured, He stands in majesty while Pilate seems to cower. Even though the artist is portraying blood, which is usually shied away from in LDS culture, I feel that his work will become a classic among those who actually strive to understand the price Christ actually payed.

The final painting was entitled "Agape" which is Greek for "God's Love." It is rich with symbolism. Bordered in red with three corners, 10 stones above three trees centered above a mountain. These references to holy numbers, the atonement, and the temple are rich. One can't help thinking that the city on the right is paved with streets of gold, the only substance rich enough for God's faithful to walk upon in Zion. This was by far the one I spent the most time looking at, it really got me thinking.

I really loved this exhibit and would urge you all to go. I loved it, and there's a whole bunch of new classics there.

Class for Week 4

Class this week was ok. It seemed a little rushed because we're preparing for a test, but by the same token it's understandable. I'm still waiting to get the study guide because I have no idea what I need to know for the test. It seems like the past 4 weeks have flown by and I'm realizing that much of what I thought was only presented in passing will actually be important for me to retain. This is the source of my confusion and upset stomach.

It seems like what I still enjoy most about the class is learning about the symbolism in art. I love learning about the mythology and its tokens in art, and of the early Christian works even more. I love learning about anchors as early crosses and laurel trees pertaining to Apollo. Discussing them in class and being trained in skill more than content is what I am truly liking about this class.

Readings for Week 4

For the reading this week, I started reading Sister Stokes' essay on Dadaism... but then I had to move to my home computer and couldn't open it anymore. So, I went onto Wikipedia and found the section on Dada.

I find Dada so intriguing, and I think it's because it was an anti-art movement. The whole concept of an anti-art movement just makes me giggle inside! Are artists so high and mighty, so self-righteous in their positions as aestheticians for the lowly masses that they can't stand a little teasing?! Could it really cause a reviewer from the American Art News to say, "The Dada philosophy is the sickest, most paralyzing and most destructive thing that has ever originated from the brain of man."? I'm sorry, but I'm going to side with the Dadaists on this one; the art community as a whole can just get over it.

I have a very high opinion of art, but a very low opinion of the "elite" in art. I despise that anyone could possible have an ego so large that they would seek to define beauty for the rest of us. I can't stand that there is right and wrong when creating and analyzing art. I believe with my whole heart that beauty, art, and love for aesthetics were gifts from a generous God on high. I believe that just as he made each of us, His children, unique, He made our individual perceptions different from those belonging to anyone else. Beauty cannot possibly be defined, categorized, or systematized; beauty is too different for each of us!

If I see a painting that stops me in my tracks and catches all of my senses, draws me in and forces me to stay then there's a good chance that it's "art." I may sit and study the piece itself; I may look for what it's portraying and its symbolism. Later, I may look up it's background and the artist to gain a broader understanding. On the other hand, I may not. But that's my choice. Just because a painting is hanging in a museum doesn't mean that it's art for me, for you, or maybe Fred next door. "Art" is what people decide it is, and it's different for everyone. There's a reason so many people hate modern art- It's just not that good!

I think that art needs to return to the values of the general public. We're not as dumb as "the elite" think we are. I think that artists need to be less concerned with reaching out to the upper crust of society. They should remember that if their work can't catch the eye of the public, then it shouldn't matter if they can catch the eyes of those who are "trained."