Okay, by now most of you have figured out that I am going to muse about art and faith almost as often as ecology and faith. I won't apologize -- it's my art history background and my awareness that through the ages artists of various kinds, including musical, have used their media to express the inexpressible.
An exhibit called Amen: A Prayer for the World is currently touring institutions in the States including two Christian cathedrals. It began with the works of 30 Egyptians artists and now represents 48 artists from Muslim, Christian, and Jewish traditions. Each artist was given a life-size fiberglass human form in a prayer pose and asked to decorate it. The figures are varied and creative and do I ever wish I could see them somehow. The photo below is from the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.
What do you think of exhibits such as this one? Are they frivolous in light of the pain and suffering in our world? After all, it takes money to mount this sort of display. Do we need them to awaken our senses to the possibilities of a better world, and God's reign?
Didn't Jesus say "The poor you always have with you" when Mary was criticized for pouring expensive ointment on his head? There has to be room for worship, and art, and music in our lives - the terrorists and hungry and sick will always be with us ... and we should be doing what we can about that , too - but governments, and people in powerful positions, are the ones with the wherewithal to affect change there ... we need the inspiration to seek peace and justice, etc, and then go and lobby, lobby, lobby!
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