From Nudes to Dung
Introduction
William Dyrness grapples with what the church has allowed to enter the “eye gate” both historically and in today’s contemporary world. The arts have ranged in their gamut from being “idolic” (my own word referencing idols) to iconic. Dryness took us back in time when he stated that, “The visual culture of the early church had to be modest; indeed, the church itself was in many ways virtually invisible to outsiders”.[1]
Something awakened when I read that, “…the early church were hesitant to use three-dimensional figures, perhaps for fear of making graven images.”[2] The Protestant Reformation, and proceed Protestant “recover” of the arts brought balance to an effective avenue for revealing the Christian message. Times, culture, and even convictions seem to vacillate more from personal preference than Scriptural basis.
Summary
Dyrness weaves the story of visual art and the challenges that it has faced in the Christian church. His analogy of the great disparity within the Renaissance reached from the consistent paintings of Jesus nude to Raphael’s Madonna and Child with a Book. The famous Madonna painting is set“…within a contemporary setting in Raphael’s native Italy, rather than in the timelessness of eternity.”[3]
Dyrness jumps to the myriad of contemporary expressions in the visual arts. Of interest was his spin on Chris Ofili’s Virgin Mary. The artwork revealed Mary covered with elephant dung. “Ofili’s oeuvre portrays Mary wearing a blue cape parted to reveal a breast made of dried and varnished elephant dung. Similar to Old Master paintings, Mary is surrounded by angels—only here they are drawn in the shape of genitalia. And the 8-foot-high canvas is propped on two lumps of dried dung.”[4]
Remembering this episode with Ofili at the Brooklyn Museum of Art in 1999-2000 (lived in Long Island during that time), I wondered how would Dyrness interpret this one. Dyrness stated that “it turns out that Ofili is a practicing Roman Catholic, and in some African cultures, elephants have totemic power (sometimes linked to the chief) and their dung is sometimes used to make spiritually potent ritual objects.”[5]
Dyrness handles some sensitive issues that confront Christian thought from both historical and contemporary challenges. I do agree with his analogy that “careful historical and theological reflection must be a part of our reappropriation of the Christian tradition. We must consider critically what certain traditions represent, noting their weaknesses, even as we appreciate their contributions.”[6]
Analysis
Dyrness seemed to capitulate in beginning of the book it seemed. He said, “Art, then, may be a means, indeed one of the only means, that will catch the attention of this generation. The problem is that art itself does not provide the reconciliation and spiritual connection that the human heart long for. It provides at best a kind of substitute religion.”[7]
My mind quickly went to a debate while doing my Masters on “natural theology” being substantive enough for redemption or exposure to the possibility of redemption. Dyrness reiterated the same thought, “The signs that God places in creation and Scripture are meant to lead us to a vision of God, where we be like him, for we will see him as he is (I John 3:2). But they do not do this directly; they are simply pointers.”[8]
Art cannot save but can be used for the purpose of relating the heart and the head; the emotions and the intellect. The stained glass of bygone eras can be replaced with the 4K video projectors that tell the story of redemption, but using a different format. The purpose of the “visual arts” is to ignite the soul.
[1] William A. Dyrness, Visual Faith: Art, Theology, and Worship in Dialogue, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001), 26.
[2] Ibid., 27.
[3] Ibid., 49.
[4] http://qz.com/441976/chris-ofilis-controversial-dung-decorated-virgin-mary-painting-sold-for-4-6-million/ (Viewed on 9/15/16)
[5] Ibid., 126.
[6] Ibid., 160.
[7] Ibid., 22.
[8] Ibid., 33.
15 responses to “From Nudes to Dung”
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Thanks Phil,
It’s great blog!
I choose to focus on this profound statement, “The purpose of the “visual arts” is to ignite the soul.” I am not sure of main purpose but it is a vital purpose, because It creates a space for people to develop their creative abilities and to connect with one another through the experience of different perspectives. Art nourishes the consciousness and emotion in people. People are influenced and have been impacted by the visual arts.
I feel that the main reason why many of us don’t feel aligned with our soul purpose is because there is no visual of it. We are caught in a busy practical world that doesn’t have time for using our creative imagination. We are overly distracted by our problems, worries, practical and personal concerns, issues and memories from the past, or fears about the future. We simply don’t make enough time for ourselves to dream and explore who we truly are and what we deeply desire. The moment that we can let go and trust in the God, we then discover a natural passion and desire for life which brings our soul’s purpose and mission to the forefront.
Thanks ! I look forward to seeing you in London, if it’s the Lord’s will. Rose Maria
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Rose:
Art is a tool, it is not the means to the end. The arts are to be kept in the rightful place and yet embraced.
Thank you for your insight. See you in just a few days.
Phil
Phil,
Thanks for your observations and analyses.
I am in total agreement with Dyrness in the section of the book that you quoted, “careful historical and theological reflection must be a part of our reappropriation of the Christian tradition . . . (p160), I understand this must be done to avoid syncretism or to accept the attitude of everything goes or going along to get along. But, in reading your blog I realized this is much easier said than done. How can it be implemented? Who gets to decide the criteria for what is acceptable and orthodox? But, at least Dyrness is on the right track. We have to start somewhere.
Claire:
Agree….easier said than implemented. I am not sure that any one person will ever be the “control”. The arts cannot be for one “flavor” any more than there is only one kind of church. The influence will vary per the perspective.
Thanks for the feedback.
Phil
Good answer. Thanks Phil.
Phil,
In your estimation, what aspect of “natural theology” most clearly points people to the God of salvation?
What piece of art has most inspired or encouraged your soul regarding our redeemer?
Marc:
“Natural theology” is the expression of God through creation that reveals…..and I use the word “reveals” purposeful. Creation does not nor cannot save.
various art forms have inspired me from paintings, expressive dance, spoken word, poetry, an orchestra….the list is exhaustive. Possibly I am bent that way toward expression.
Thanks for the feedback.
Phil
Phil,
Great title!!!! I really liked your point: “. The stained glass of bygone eras can be replaced with the 4K video projectors that tell the story of redemption.” Do you believe that video is stained glass of our time?
I do! I think we “paint” with video, roll ins, etc. Times have changed and we need to adapt with it.
Phil
I think I used your title in my response to you before I saw it!!! Great minds!!
The intensity of pictures and their interpretation is always the issue at hand. Not everyone sees the same things so what you are trying to communicate may not be what is received. How do you use visuals in your ministry? Where is the line for you? I there something that pushes you past the word and into the secular?
Kevin
Kevin – alias “Great Mind”:
I use screens, I speak from a TV with key words, using a clip tomorrow from a congressional hearing telling the story of the beheading of the Christians by ISIS, I have used movie clips….. tomorrow my message with end with an interpretative dance.
So…..the arts are on!
Phil
Kevin – alias “Great Mind”:
I use screens, I speak from a TV with key words, using a clip tomorrow from a congressional hearing telling the story of the beheading of the Christians by ISIS, I have used movie clips….. tomorrow my message with end with an interpretative dance.
So…..the arts are on!
Phil
Phil,
Great title. You said:
Art cannot save but can be used for the purpose of relating the heart and the head; the emotions and the intellect. The stained glass of bygone eras can be replaced with the 4K video projectors that tell the story of redemption, but using a different format. The purpose of the “visual arts” is to ignite the soul
I totally agree. Futuristic question….do you think our generations exposure to video has desensitized people to the impact and if so, what can reawaken the imagination?
J
Hi Phil. Thanks for this. It must have been really cool to live in New York for a time. Such a great art city! I like your ending saying that art can ignite the soul. I agree. How do you use art in your church?
Phil,
I must say that your title was eye grabbing. You stated that “Art cannot save but can be used for the purpose of relating the heart and the head; the emotions and the intellect. The stained glass of bygone eras can be replaced with the 4K video projectors that tell the story of redemption, but using a different format. The purpose of the “visual arts” is to ignite the soul.” I’m part of a church organization that has those projectors and environmental walls but I never see the beauty because I’m always on stage. However, we have campuses without the lights or projectors and I feel like something is missing.
The point is that if we rely on one culture, we’ll change everything to conform and neglect ultimate impact. We must be theologically sound but also allow the culture to help dictate how we engage worship. All four of our church campuses worship differently and I feel the same way about all four because I’m always on stage. As you stated, it’s all about how you tell the story to help people engage in worship.
Garfield