Art as a Change Agent
This era of hyper focus – and even addiction – to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and google images reinforces Dryness’ premise that visual images are their own substantial narrative. Dyrness, in his work Visual Faith (Engaging Culture): Art, Theology, and Worship in Dialogue focuses on the importance of introducing/reintroducing the visual experience as a tool in worship. Much like Pink’s writing in Doing Visual Ethnography, both authors recognize the value of visual images and advocate for their integration into all facets of our daily life. “Science shows us that our brains are wired to respond first to visual input. Images are the pathway to human emotions, and emotions govern how people make decisions.”[1] Isn’t it interesting, then, that China has blocked all forms of social media (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter)? Clearly, the Chinese government has an understanding of the power of images coupled with a fear that what is shared on social media could disseminate information and images which are harmful to the Chinese culture (social order). For example, “China banned the photo-sharing platform (Instagram) after pro-democracy protests rocked Hong Kong in 2014”.
I struggle to understand the rationale behind the decimation of art in the reformation – “The Protestant Reformation during the 16th century in Europe almost entirely rejected the existing tradition of Catholic art, and very often destroyed as much of it as it could reach”.[2] Readings on the reformation imply that art was nearly banned because of iconoclasm, which is defined as:[3]
the action of attacking or assertively rejecting cherished beliefs and institutions or established values and practices.
the rejection or destruction of religious images as heretical; the doctrine of iconoclasts.
I question how much social control the protestant reformation was trying to exert, and why?
As someone who has a deep appreciation for all things art, I appreciate Dyrness’ efforts to educate on its importance in the faith journey. “A large body of research indicates that visual cues help us to better retrieve and remember information. The research outcomes on visual learning make complete sense when you consider that our brain is mainly an image processor (much of our sensory cortex is devoted to vision), not a word processor. In fact, the part of the brain used to process words is quite small in comparison to the part that processes visual images.”[4] Not only are visual cues important, but tapping into all five of the senses can be even more impactful. This reading by Dyrness connects well to concepts in Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul’s Path to God by Gary Thomas. Thomas shares nine sacred pathways (spiritual temperaments) which help human beings connect to God in unique ways (listed below):
- Naturalists — love God best outdoors. These people worship in the midst of God’s creation. They celebrate His majesty and discover spiritual truths through nature
- Sensates — love God through their senses. These people worship through sensual experiences — sights (like art), sounds (music), smells, and more
- Traditionalists — love God through religious ritual and symbols. These people worship through traditions and sacraments of the Church. They believe structure, repetition, and rigidity, like weekly liturgy, leads to deeper understanding of God and faith
- Ascetics — love God in solitude and simplicity. These people worship through prayer and quiet time, and the absence of all outside noise and distraction
- Activists — love God through confrontation, fighting for godly principles and values. They worship through their dedication to and participation in God’s truth about social and evangelistic causes
- Caregivers — love God by serving others, and worship by giving of themselves. They may nurse the sick and disabled, “adopt” a prisoner, donate time at a shelter, etc.
- Enthusiasts — love God through mystery and celebration. These people worship with outward displays of passion and enthusiasm. They love God with gusto!
- Contemplatives — love God through adoration. These people worship by their attentiveness, deep love, and intimacy. They have an active prayer life
- Intellectuals — love God with their mind and their hearts are opened up to a new attentiveness when they understand something new about God. These people worship through intense study, apologetics, and intellectual pursuits of their faith.[5]
Thomas believes that all people fall into one or more of the above temperaments in how their deep connection with God occurs. The first two temperaments (Naturalists and Sensates and maybe even the third Traditionalists), are all directly connected to visual images and all five senses. Emotions can be dramatically evoked by tapping into senses – everything from anger and fear to joy and sadness. If I were to label myself, it would be as a naturalist. I find deep spiritual experiences in God’s creation – especially mountains, wilderness, and wildlife. Even though it’s not a piece of art per se, it is a visual feast of God’s creation.
Imagine the impact of media portrayals (via images) of the Somali refugees resettled in Columbus, Ohio. The Christian community is deeply divided in their political beliefs surrounding refugees, and images and videos may drastically alter thoughts and opinions. It is a disservice to refugees around the world when images are not being utilized to empower and embrace refugees, rather to show their struggle and anguish.
Images are powerful – are you in any way complicit to utilizing images in a way that harm rather than help? Do you recognize the impact and importance of images (and do you use them in your ministry)? I personally will self-evaluate to ensure that images I use fully represent the heart of Jesus. “Art, freedom and creativity will change society faster than politics.” Victor Pinchuk
[1] http://www.resource-media.org/seeing-is-believing-report/
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_in_the_Protestant_Reformation_and_Counter-Reformation
[3] https://artscolumbia.org/essays/protestant-reformation-impact-art-43006/
[4] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/get-psyched/201207/learning-through-visuals
[5] http://media.focusonthefamily.com/fotf/pdf/fof_daily_broadcast/2014/ffde-20140416-9-sacred-pathways-final.pdf
About the Author
Jean Ollis
12 responses to “Art as a Change Agent”
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Great post as usual Jean, I just hope author William Dyrness doesn’t get offended by your respelling of his name to Dryness…not sure if you thought his book was especially “dry” or this was just a subconscious message you were trying to send 🙂 I am obviously kidding, but couldn’t resist giving you a hard time, especially since I almost did the same thing. By the way, I love Thomas’ book about the various ways we connect with God and thought it was a brilliant resource to bring into the visual faith discussion. Blessings to you!
Good morning Jake! I’m glad you were my first reader/responder and alerted me to my error on spelling! It’s been fixed! Glad to know you’ve read Thomas’ book. What temperament are you?
I would say I am a mix between a Naturalist and a Caregiver
Great post, Jean. I like how you connected and included the refugee crisis. Think of the power of that image of the young boy who had died on the beach. It wasn’t empowering, but it was real and told an important and very sad story that needed to be heard. I know some people who work in social justice arenas that use art therapy. Is there anyone in your area using art therapy for refugees?
Hi Jean,
Well done bringing last semester’s Pink into this, and also well done for highlighting your research focus!
Your quote of Pinchuk was stellar, “Art, freedom and creativity will change society faster than politics.” Wow, that is powerful, as is your use of the pictures from the Somali refugees.
Here is an amazing picture from our past that perhaps changed the world.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjiu4zfpJPeAhXVIjQIHeFBBpsQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldpressphoto.org%2Fcollection%2Fphoto%2F1990%2Fspot-news%2Fcharlie-cole&psig=AOvVaw03SCcPbCIGXey9zewm_IQG&ust=1540065329954029
Good insight, Jean!
I love that you contrast the social band in China to Dryness and Pink’s perspective on visual art. According to Dyrness, images have the ability to evoke a response. He reveals that, “Biblical images demand, when they are placed within their larger biblical context, a response of the whole person not simply to the image but ultimately to God. They call upon one to respond not simply to the images in question but to the Word of God that is embodied in those images” (Dyrness 2014, 85). Visual art evokes a response within us. You mention that there are varied forms of art that influences our senses and that you “would be a naturalist.” Why do you find that nature captures you the most? How has this form of art inspired you?
Hello Jean,
It was a pleasant surprise to be reminded of Thomas’ book Sacred Pathways in your post. I read that book years ago and I welcomed it for introducing the diversity of ways we connect with God.
The photo of the young Syrian boy on the beach compelled Canada into opening doors further to refugees. (He was bound for Vancouver where his aunt lived, but drowned en route.) It is amazing how one image can influence so much. Jay’s photo of the lone Chinese holding up a line of tanks in Tienanmen Square is another excellent example.
Jean, I did a “Lord of the Rings” sermon this morning. The sermon took the different characters of the movie and related them to Christian personalities and behaviors in the church. To make my point, I found pictures of each character from the movie; however, I tried to find a picture that also elicited the attitude I was hoping to portray from that character. Why? Exactly the reason you are pointing out; images are powerful! I was hoping to connect the viewer to the emotion depicted in the image and in the words spoken.
I’d also like to say that the list of “Sacred pathways” you shared was fruitful for consideration and self-reflection. Perhaps we should all take the time to really evaluate what moves and motivates us in our worship and relationship to God more often.
Hi Jean,
Thanks for this thoughtful post. At the end you ask those good questions for self-reflection (or reflecting within a ministry or group). For our church’s externally facing material, we are generally fairly anodyne, I would say. Mostly pictures of people at events, trying to capture a diversity of ages, groups, etc. But the challenge to me, as the preacher and up front leader, is how to use images well within the Sunday service, or in ways that are persuasive or powerful. I want to make sure that I use images well, because it’s clearly an opportunity to shape opinions and minds. Thanks for this!
thank you Jean for drawing out an aspect of visual art and the power it has in a way I needed to be reminded. I was thinking recently that in China there was a “joke” that the chinese president looked a lot like winnie-the-pooh. As a result the censors have banned the use of that icon or emoji on any chinese social media. We are still not allowed to search for some particular events without ramifications. (one being the photo in Jays response). There is power in a picture that can be used for good or manipulation.
Great job Jean. I loved your “learning style”-esque descriptions and having it tied to someone’s loving god style. When I was a youth pastor I had those 9 learnings tyles and list and made a chart to keep track of which learning style I was engaging each week, so I could make sure to engage them all.
Jean your posts are always so thoughtful and written with the marginalized at heart and in mind. Regarding the Protestant Reformation, I wonder about that too, in terms of any known or unknown desire to exert social control. It seemed that’s what they were trying to get away from. But, they were getting away from it with what they saw as “truth.” And when one thinks he has the corner on the truth, there is no need to allow space for imagination. The Reformers believed that faith came by hearing the Word preached rightly, which is fine and good, but what an over-reaction.