Art 4 God

@divegeester said
What do you think of the art?

A variety of thoughts. When it comes to art it can get complicated, since, in my opinion, "art" is the "gestalt" of all knowledge and understanding that mankind can perceive and express through the use of material for the purpose of eliciting response across the full range of human perceptions, including, but not limited to, mental, emotional, psychological, physiological and spiritual life.

In this particular case, ART4GOD, I found some old concepts expressed in new ways. For example: the print that depicts Jesus as standing behind a man injecting what obviously appears to be drugs into his arm, but it looks as though it is Jesus' arm, and the expression of anguish on Jesus' face. There's a lot going on in that picture.

There were several others that caught my attention, and I may even decide to purchase one or two. The one titled "free will" was of interest to me, but I think I would like to study it more closely.

@bigdoggproblem said
All this said, I don't think there is one "correct" response to art.

Good art can speak to different people in different ways.

I think you are mostly right, but I think there is a perfect response somewhere inside each of us.

@secondson said
I think you are mostly right, but I think there is a perfect response somewhere inside each of us.

"Perfect" is generally not a word I find useful when discussing human beings. 🙂

@bigdoggproblem said
"Perfect" is generally not a word I find useful when discussing human beings. 🙂

Replace it with the word mature then.

We mustn't be glib with the word "perfect".

@divegeester said
What is the thinking on this sort of Christian art by Stephen Sawyer?

https://www.art4god.com/

Does it have a place in the Christian spiritual life?

Crass?

Brilliant?

Insightful?

Well, In some ways I like it; however, I do find it somewhat brash and can understand why some find it offensive. Especially to those that have never been a drug addicted Christian, fighting a drug addiction.
The message to me is loud and clear and I love it; been there. Just a little street brash for some folk I know.
Also, the gun, king and queen of hearts, the whiskey bottle and drink, cigarette burning, skull, and needle. Thoughts on those things anyone?

@kingdavid403 said
Also, the gun, king and queen of hearts, the whiskey bottle and drink, cigarette burning, skull, and needle. Thoughts on those things anyone?

Simple illustrations of destructive forces. The look of anguish on Jesus' face tells of His ability to identify with those that put themselves through it, and how it hurts Him.

@secondson said
In this particular case, ART4GOD, I found some old concepts expressed in new ways. For example: the print that depicts Jesus as standing behind a man injecting what obviously appears to be drugs into his arm, but it looks as though it is Jesus' arm, and the expression of anguish on Jesus' face. There's a lot going on in that picture.

Interesting. What are old ideas which are expressed in new ways to you?

Being brutally frank; as well as being slightly embarrassed from a spiritual perspective, I find this art emotionally shallow, psychologically contrived and highly commercialised to appeal to a segment of the lower-brained sheeple who populate mainstream American Christianity.

@secondson said
When it comes to art it can get complicated, since, in my opinion, "art" is the "gestalt" of all knowledge and understanding that mankind can perceive and express through the use of material for the purpose of eliciting response across the full range of human perceptions, including, but not limited to, mental, emotional, psychological, physiological and spiritual life.

I certainly don’t see “art as the gestalt of all knowledge and understanding” but then I’m not easily impressed by any of it, from any era, or any genre. I see science as the primary source of knowledge and Christ as the source of all understanding.

I’m not even clear what you mean by art being the gestalt of all knowledge and understanding. To me it reads like something pretentious which you’ve picked up from somewhere.

@secondson saidThere were several others that caught my attention, and I may even decide to purchase one or two.

Right...

@secondson said
I think you are mostly right, but I think there is a perfect response somewhere inside each of us.

Why do you think this?

If I look at someone’s art I may feel an emotional response I suppose, but usually I may just feel intrigued. I certainly don’t reach for a “perfect response” inside of me.

I find a lot of what is pitched as “art” to be a sort of jazz-handed imagery designed to catch ones attention but really only delivering at a superficial level.

I acknowledge that I’m a bit of philistine about all this.

@kingdavid403 said
Well, In some ways I like it; however, I do find it somewhat brash and can understand why some find it offensive. Especially to those that have never been a drug addicted Christian, fighting a drug addiction.
The message to me is loud and clear and I love it; been there. Just a little street brash for some folk I know.
Also, the gun, king and queen of hearts, the whiskey bottle and drink, cigarette burning, skull, and needle. Thoughts on those things anyone?

Well done on kicking whatever it was you kicked.

As for the items in the painting which you highlighted, I see them as nothing more trite visual catchalls to draw viewers in. I don’t see meaning in them in the context of that painting. I recognise that this is my limitation, but I just don’t see it.

@divegeester said
Well done on kicking whatever it was you kicked.

As for the items in the painting which you highlighted, I see them as nothing more trite visual catchalls to draw viewers in. I don’t see meaning in them in the context of that painting. I recognise that this is my limitation, but I just don’t see it.

Thanks. My addictions were never like the art here. However, they were close enough and I understand the message and art. As I said before, I find it brash, self-centered, and self-seeking. The art is only made for a minority while snubbing noses at most other Christians. However, it is a decent piece of art for that minority.

@divegeester said
What are old ideas which are expressed in new ways to you?

Abstract concepts depicted by the artist in his art work. Obviously you fail to recognize them. Don't ask me to explain because it would take years.

@divegeester said
, I find this art emotionally shallow, psychologically contrived and highly commercialised to appeal to a segment of the lower-brained sheeple who populate mainstream American Christianity.

An emotionally shallow, psychologically weak, intellectually boring, negative, pessimistic and argumentative statement.

@divegeester said
Why do you think this?

If I look at someone’s art I may feel an emotional response I suppose, but usually I may just feel intrigued. I certainly don’t reach for a “perfect response” inside of me.

I find a lot of what is pitched as “art” to be a sort of jazz-handed imagery designed to catch ones attention but really only delivering at a superficial level.

I acknowledge that I’m a bit of philistine about all this.

Art isn't just everyone's cup of tea.