Lesson 19

Theology and the Arts, Part II

Sound II, a lead sculpture by Antony Gormley, Winchester Cathedral, 1986.

Theology And The Arts II: Form and Meaning in the Arts
(Review) The 5 eras are:
1. Early Art: Cave Art or Early Christian Art
2. Medieval Art
3. Art in the Renaissance Era
4. The Industrial Revolution
5. Romanticism

Five Picture Frame Ideas:

I. Art As Imitation (the previous video)
II. Art As Expression (the previous video)
III. Art As Significant Form (this video)
IV. Art As Responsible Service (this video)
V. Art As Sacrament or Gift (this video)

Continuing where we left off last time...

Lesson 19

Theology and the Arts, Part II

III. Art as Significant Form

A. 20th Century Art: Abstract Expressionism

1. Composition VIII - Wassily Kandinsky

2. White On White - Malevich

B. Postmodernism

1. Shangri-La Hotels video - To Embrace A Stranger As Ones Own

2. Heaven - William Blake

IV. Art as Responsible Service

A. Contemporary Art

1. The Tower of Babel - Pieter Brughel the Elder

2. Woodcut of Noli Me Tangere - Albrecht Durer

3. Die Harder - David Mac

V. Art as Sacrament or Gift

A. Contemporary Art

1. Sound II - Antony Gormley

2. Another Place - Antony Gormley

3. Flesh - Antony Gormley

4. Critical Void - Antony Gormley

5. The White Crucifixion - Marc Chagall (Correction: not Paul Klee as I said in the video)

6. Untitled - Anselmo Swan

Questions For Small Group Discussion

1. Which of the five picture frames are you drawn to? Why?
2. What is resonating with you in these ideas?
3. What is unsettling or discordant for you in these ideas?
4. Which artwork stood out for you in the last two weeks lessons, and why?

Lesson 19

Theology and the Arts, Part II

Theology and the Arts Assignment (5 weeks total)

How might you imagine exploring a particular picture frame by creating a work of art? What media do you
think you could use?
Assignment: Choose one of the five picture frame ideas expressing how we think about the arts, and explore
that frame visually or musically or poetically. This project will take 5 weeks.
Week of March 1 - March 4 (Due March 4): Describe your plans in writing.
Write a description of which Picture Frame idea youre thinking of doing. Write about:

what medium or media youre thinking of using, and what technique you might use (examples below)

any theological, historical, or scriptural references inherant in your idea for this artwork, and

how you think this idea might serve as the particular picture frame that you wish to explore about
the way art can be viewed.

Medium Examples: clay, charcoal, plaster, wood, acrylic paint, stone, metal, paper, wire, burlap, ink, etc.
Technique Examples: dry brushing, drawing, impasto, modeling, mold-making, casting, carving,
assemblage, scratchboard, ceramic process, collage, pointillism, stippling, layering, weaving, etc.
Week of March 7-11 (Due March 11): Upload photos of your sketches, maquettes, notes, or rough outline.
If this is to be a 2-dimensional work of visual art: Do some small studies, or thumbnail sketches.
Many artists make at least 8 to 10 basic, NON-detailed value studies of an idea in a small size (around
2 or 3 inches in size, using black, white, and gray). Photograph (scan) and upload your sketches for your
classmates to see. The purpose of thumbnails is to flush out as many obvious or weak ideas as you possibly
can, so you can move beyond them to find your stronger, original ideas. Sketches are really supposed to
be experimental, ugly, weird, and imperfect. MOST of them might be horrible. Thats actually good. Keep
going! Of course theres a chance you may return to an earlier sketch; itll still be waiting there for you!
If this is to be installation art or a 3-dimensional work of visual art: On several blank sheets of paper,
draw several sketches of multiple possible views of your imagined piece/series from different angles. Or
use construction paper and tape, modeling clay/Play Doh, or other material to create a small maquette
(mini-sculpture) of your idea at a much smaller scale than it will eventually be, perhaps 4 inches tall.
If this is to be a work of poetry/literature, music, or other genre: Write or type the details of your plan
either by hand or on the computer. Photograph any notes or scribbles, and upload it for your classmates
to see/read. This can be in the form of a messy outline, brainstorm writing, sketching, etc.
Week of March 14-18: Begin the piece, and upload photos of your progress.
Review the comments your classmates have offered you on your ideas before you begin work. Take photos
or videos of your progress as you create, and upload your progress in that weeks steps. Reach out to your
classmates as you encounter new questions or as you need help or advice. Offer your feedback to them.
Week of March 20 - March 27: Nothing! Have a blessed Easter week!
Week of March 28 - April 1: Keep working, uploading photos of progress, and encouraging your classmates.
Week of April 4 - April 8: Final week to work on your project. Images of final project are due Friday, April 8.
When complete, photograph or video your piece, and upload it to your class along with a description of
dimensions and material, and your artist statement. Artist statement guidelines will be released next week.

Thumbnail sketch page (due March 11)

This page is optional. You can use it if youll be doing a 2-dimensional piece and want to use
rectangular thumbnails that are this size. Be sure to turn this paper sideways if you plan on using
a horizontal format (landscape/sideways). Or draw your own shapes on another page instead, for
instance if your planned design will be inside a square/circle/organic shape/etc.