Thursday, July 8, 2010: 6 Days and Counting. Ah!

The Savior, Andrei Rublev

The Yellow Christ, Paul Gauguin

Jesus Washing Peter's Feet, Ford Madox Brown

Tonight was our last Stripped study of the series and it was Uncovering the Person: Jesus. The topic had a lot of questions with images of Jesus Christ depicted by different painters by Andrei Rublev (The Savior), Ford Madox Brown (Jesus Washing Peter's Feet), Michael Sittow (Madonna and Child), Paul Gauguin (The Yellow Christ), Francesco Boneri (Christ Driving Moneylenders out of the Temple) and Rembrandt van Rijn (Head of Christ). We asked several questions what words we use to describe the images as well as questions about how important it is to portray someone accurately. Our group was the four of us on project but other tables had those who are not on project like the Christian women who is a writer came back for the last session of Stripped. When my group was done Daniel group was still talking to the lady and I believe it was an indepth conversing conversation.

Theologyand Art: Art as Communicant Notes

Part 2

Synthesis in Space:

How and what does the art and architecture of worship space communicate?

What did you notice about the places of worship you visited?

What did the architecture and art focus your attention on? How?

What did it communicate about God?

What did it communicate about the worshipper’s relationship to God?

How does your home church compare? What’s being communicated?

Quotes from Students

St. John Divine was big space imposing upon us from the outside but more so from the inside with high ceiling and cross arches. The comparison of the church compare to your smallest make you think how big God is. Jonathan

The place makes you feel like a kid where you can play and have room to roam. Joseph

I was in awe of God because I could not see the other end of the building. There were so many intricate details. Huge space where you cannot phantom how long it will take to walk through it. Sarah A

Jewish temple was quiet and able to contemplate and got a since of my smallest compare to God. Catholic makes me call out my other senses of smell and laying flowers. Sarah E

Synagogue of the Arts

The architecture looks like a bowl, which bulge into the space. Inviting architecture yet signs where you cannot go in. Emily D

The ceiling is high and a lot of sculptural statues inside with stain glass. Churches like that feel intimidating. Piper

Causal temporarily space set modern and decorate the building for reason of comfortable family environment. Elisabeth’s home church

Trinity church is like my church casual and that it is carpeted with the worship band. At trinity church God I this higher power, which watches you. Lauren K

Think of one of the people you’ve meet in the City. What, if any, experience have they had with places of worship?

Imagine them coming to faith and beginning to come to your home church, what might be points of connection or disconnection for them? How would they feel in the space? Why? What theological shifts in their thinking and experience would be “forced” by the new space and its architecture and art?

Everyone has an opinion. Many try to ground them theologically (morally).

Ruskin (Victorian) Catholic 20^th century theologian

Pugin (Victorian) Protestant 20^th century theologian

Tillich

Theology shapes space.

Primacy of Word vs. Scarament

St. Salvadors

Theology shapes space:

Protestant church shapes their churches around the reading of the word so the space change into the center of the stage.

Catholic churches where the reading of the word is not as important put toward the side.

If worship band important than instrument would be in front.

“Architecture is the art which so disposes and adorns the edifices raised by man, for whatsoever uses, that the sight of them may contribute to his mental health, power, and pleasure.” Ruskin

7 Lamps of Sacrifice, Truth, Power, Beauty, Life, Memory, Obedience

“…the tendency o the Gothic to the expreion of vegetative life is to be admired. The sentence of Genesis, “I have given thee every green herb for meat,” like all the rest o the book, has a profound symbolical as well as a literal meaning. It is not merely the nourishment of the body, but the food of the soul, that is intended. The green herb is, of all nature, that which is most essential to the healthy spiritual life of man. Most of us do not need fine scenery…mountain peak not intended to be seen by all…” Ruskin

On painting on glass: “It denies, and endeavors as far as possible to conceal, the transparency, which is not only its great virtue in a merely utilitarian point of view, but its great spiritual character”

A. W. Pugin: The True Principles of Pointed or Christian Architecture

“The two great rules for design are these: 1t, that there should be no features about a building which are not necessary for convenience, construction, or propriety; 2^nd, that all ornament should consists of enrichment of essential construction of the building.”

Paul Tillich: On Art and Architecture

“The request that new buildings be stylistically contemporary is rooted in the nature of creativity and in the ethical principle of honesty. A creative act is normally born out of a cognitive and emotional participation in may or few creations with the past. But when creative power of the artist or architect goes to work, it breaks through to the new, expressing the creator and through him his period…If on the other hand, the architect is asked to imitate the style of a period which is not his own, his creativity…”

“..there are two fundamental elements that distinguish a Protestant Church service:

1. The predominance of the Word over the sacrament
2. The predominance of the congregation over the liturgical leader…

A plan adequate the Protestant purpose would be … a central one in which the members of the congregation look at each other, and in which the minister is among the congregation…

On art and images in churches:

“Murals would be far more appropriate to a Protestant ideology than individual canvases. They are elements of architecture rather than objects of veneration… In the same way, single pieces of sculpture would probably have no place in the church, but a sculptural organization of wall or door might be highly desirable.”

Issues with the use of clear glass:

“one recent designs have used clear glss in a new way…”

t. Salvadors: Dundee, Scotland

Nave looking toward entrance

Nave looking toward altar
Rood screen – elaborate reds, gold, greens

Reredos behind altar- images of Jesus, Mary, Disciples made up of golds, reds, greens

Reredos detail

Chancel area near altar

“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Mae this tabernacle and all its furnishing exactly like the pattern I will show you.” Exodus 25:9

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own,” 1 Corinthians 6:19.

“I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” Revelation 21:22 NIV

Updates on Group Collaborative

Anthony's Group (Intimacy)

Anthony's group received their Home Depot 8' x 2' wood panels and started making a wall frame structure attaching the old door they found at the "JUNK" a store in Brooklyn and started painting their structure white. The original idea for their project had been reduce and simplify greatly to make it manageable and doable for project deadlines.

Amy's Group (Sacrifice)

Blocked the windows completely with black paint as well received Home Depot supplies of 7 bags of sand which is too much for their project so I won't be surprise if they return some of them. They are not sure if they will even use the sand unless they can get wood from Caleb group which is using plywood to build something.

Brian's Group (Betrayal)

Our group was going to attach the fluorescent fixture to the boxes but found out we bought the wrong type of lights instead we bought ones that need to be connect with the jump box which connect to live wires. This was a problem because we can not connect it to the jump box attached to the already existing gallery lights. We need to get plug able fixtures so we head back to Home Depot to return the items. There the return lady recognized us and as we leave check off our receipt. We exchange the lights for 18" fluorescent lights with plugs and attached the screws to our 3 light table afterwards we decide to break to work on our individual images as Sunny went to shoot her friend for her image of "betrayal". Please pray that I will be able to finish my layers of imagery of "betrayal" on time before the showing and deadline for group project progress is this Sunday and completion of project should be by Wednesday.
My D-group went to Baoguette for Vietnamese Subs which are great. I had the spicy curry beef to go to get back for Theology and Arts. But before we ate we sat at a cafe on Lexington and 24th Street, there we discuss the growth model design by the book Changes that Heal. The equation we went over is (Grace + Truth)/Time = Growth.

In the model it explain how we as Christian should walk daily with the Truth of God's word so we can grow in our character over time with mistakes in the process. We covered the 4 important categories of growth discussed in the model:

Bonding (Matt. 22:37-39)

Becoming vulnerable

Becoming others-centered

Embracing love as God's highest value

Good/Bad Split (Philippians 3:12-15)

Accepting our strengths and weaknesses

Admitting our strengths and weaknesses

Adopting a "progress" mentality

Boundaries (1 Corinthians 12:14-16)

Defining ourselves

Defining our responsibilities

Defining our limits

Adulthood (1 Corinthians 13:11).

Embracing responsibility

Embracing authority

Living free under God's rule

We read through the growth Model and what mature character look like in the following areas:

Love

A mature person is attached to and giving to others.

A mature person is able to give without expectation of return.

A mature person is able to empathize with others.

Work

A mature person bears fruit.

Truth

A mature person speaks the truth.

A mature person discerns right from wrong.

A mature person receives the truth.

Deals with problems.

A mature person faces problems

Growth

A mature person continues to grow.

Worship

A mature person adapts to God, rather than insisting that God adapts to him.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010: Happy Birthday Lauren K!

Today my group was productive in our light box frames and painting them. We were able to clean and repaint the closet space we were able to use. It was hard work but we figure after the first light box the others were more easier. At first the screws were too long and keep splitting the wood but we work through it and in the end we triumphed in prayer.

"This reminds me of my Grandma's house" Lauren H.

"Everyone was doing the zombie attack. It's more funny when Sarah or Sunny does it because you don't expect it from them." Jayson
Piper working on blocking out the window sunlight using black water solvable paint, which the group will have to clean up afterwards. Good luck. Their project center around "sacrifice" the loss of sight, hearing, smell, etc to use other senses that they did not lose.
Elisabeth as the witch from Snow White part of the "reunion" group project.
These drapes are covered in chocolate stain smell for their "sacrifice" project. They hope to blindfold their viewer and walk them around their space so they can experience their other senses.
Today was Lauren K 19th birthday and we celebrated by having a traditional New Orleans brawl with food on the dinner table with corn on the cob, rice, potatoes, sausage, and shrimp. The food was amazing I like the canjun seasoning Daniel put in it. There was salad and vignette salad dressing as well as chocolate cheesecake dessert. Afterwards we swing dance and had a fun time being fools.
Tiffany project includes her friend who lives in NYC to be a participant as snow white while Elisabeth dressed as a witch. They went to Central Park dressed as these beloved Disney Characters and shoot the two bobbing for apples symbolizing "reunion".

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 Francis' Story

With soularium in hand we talked to several people Alex, and Francis.

Alex

Alex was a junior in high school and from upstate New York. He is visiting his family who lives in the city and sister who work in the city. We talked and listen to his life and how he want to learn Japanese and travel the world. He wish he can find a sense of peace with his life direction. He is uncertain of what he want to do with his life and feel unsure of what to believe in. His mother was raised catholic but his father does not believe in God. He considered himself an atheist when we asked him the question: "If you can pick one image to best describe who God is to you?" He instead pick an image that best described his atheist beliefs. He picked an image of nature because he felt he can experience a sense of peace through nature. I don't doubt that you can experience God through nature. I feel he was more of an agnostic because he picked images that described his yearning for something out there to direct him choosing a curvy road. Jonathan and I both shared what images we would've pick for the last question: "Pick one image that best described what you wish was true of your spiritual life." I picked the one of the city skyscrapers and a picture of a man holding a lantern. Reason I pick these images was I know God is this light that shines in my light revealing things in my life one step at a time and at uncertain moment in my life I can trust God won't lead me astray.

Francis

Next person we invited to our art show was Francis. Francis is an international student who attend University of Minnesota studying education. He is from China and attending American University for schooling for only four months now. Reason of his stay in New York was to work for his uncle who own a liqour store in New York. he was friendly with us and allow us to talk to him for an hour on his free day at Bryant Park. He didn't have anything to do till 6pm when he have class at Bryant Park. We went through soularium and he would consider himself an agnostic. He heard of Campus Crusade before at his campus and attend a few small group bible study. We weren't sure what he heard of Christianity but he is still skeptic about Christianity "fairy tale" stories and how accurately true the Bible is. I felt he was really struggling to understand Christianity and the concept of God because of his country atheist world view pressed upon him. We shared the gospel again to Francis and press upon him to not give up searching for God. Jonathan was brave and told the story of Nehemiah's struggle to believe God's speaking to him to dunk himself seven times in the river. The point Jonathan was trying to make with Francis was to not give up. Francis express his wishes if God exist to desire to hear him clearly as if a voice is whispering into his ear. He recognize this is what makes Christian so special to be able to communicate to God, yet for him he think it is not possible. We asked if he need any prayers and he said he's okay. We thank him for his time and ask if I can take a picture of him and I.
Today we had training of retelling our testimony through soularium images. We practiced with our partners and listen on to each other story. I practiced with Caleb who story is of him growing up believing in God because of his parents but later realized he has to make the decision to continue following Jesus or not when he was 8. For some reason I got emotional when I retold my story of my broken childhood and family where on the outside appearance I had all the physical needs met but internally deprive emotionally and relationally. I didn't have an outlet as a child to express my needs and relational desires and often felt lonely.

My emotions got the best of me and when Adam spoke about his death of his friend at the 8th grade that was shocking for me. What ran hard to my heart was his empathy of her death uncertain of how he should feel about losing a friend whom he had her in everyone of his classes that year. He attend the funeral but mentioned he didn't cried or grieved. It wasn't until one day in college he met a girl exactly like his friend Emily was her name. He felt like it was a call from God telling him everything will be okay. He met this girl on Campus Crusade Spring Break: Big Break conference at Panama City and that was when I couldn't hold back my tears. I rushed to the rest room to get paper towel to dry my face. Later I was paired up with Jonathan for the first time and went to Bryant Park on a blistering 97 degree weather in New York City.

Favorite Quote of the Day

"No wonder we didn't have just sushi, it cost $40 for a platter." Adam

"How many art students it take to carry a door and shutters? 2. How many trains taken in the process? 4. Conversations started because of a full size door in a subway? Too many to count. This installation better be a masterpiece." Emily

Monday, July 5th, 2010 MNM Homeless Outreach

Today we went to out to different mosques, temples, cathedral, and synagogues in the city during Theology and Art. Theology and Art today we focus on experience religious spaces and ask ourselves questions:

How and what does the art and architecture of worship space communicate?

Feel This:

What felings does this space evoke in you? What in its art or architecture contributes to that?

Notice This:

What does the architecture or the art seek to focus your attention on?

Understand This:

does the space say about God?

Compare: What does your home church communicate in comparision?

Pray: Pray for those that worship here, that they may become disciples (learners and followers) of Christ, and then go and make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:18-20)

In groups of 8-9 we split off into groups to visit these sites below:

Group 1

Temple Emanu-El

Group 2

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Group 3

The Church of the Transfiguration

The Church of the Transfiguration

Hindo Temple

Group 4

Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine

All Souls Unitarian Universalitist Church

Islamic Cultural Center of New York

I was in group 1 as we saw a Jewish temple and Catholic Cathedral. I felt I was out of place at the Jewish temple the space is magnificent and in size with high ceilings and walls to hold the beautiful decorative ceiling. There were colored glass windows with illuminating light from the stage with menorahs and equally balanced symmetry. The aisle was carpet with red and the space feel estrange and quiet. We were not allowed to take photographs and the guard eye's watch our every move feeling like we cannot talk. I felt we were only allowed to observe and restricted in what we can do to participate or interact with a divine person in this space. I expect they view God is distant and indifference toward His people in this space and that to please God is to obey a certain decree.

The Cathedral was a completely different experience because it has similar icons from Christianity I'm used to. The guards are friendly and did not followed us around. The space was much larger and has more windows for light from the ceiling. It was a more popular site so there were many people who came and visit the site. We were allowed to take photographs and to participate with these religious icons and divine God. There was a gift shop which you can buy religious icons, as well pay for candle offering and participate in the Monday noon service. I felt more comfortable that others are either praying at the congregational benches or participating with the divine God so there is a sense of unity among those who go there not to visit but practice their Catholicism beliefs. They had stained glass as the Jewish temple. There were more saint icons than there were of Jesus which bothers me.

At St. Patrick's Cathedral people can pay $2 to light a candle as an offering for saints to pray for you. I am a skeptic about this and maybe they truly believe in this but I see it as superstitious and not beneficial. I rather have a direct relationship and pray to the Father, Jesus or the Holy Spirit because they are God. Saints maybe divine but not God. I don't feel like there need to be an advocate other than Jesus for us to have a direct relationship with God.

This image is of a preliminary process of my individual image for our group collaborative. I appreciate the transparency and overlapping quality of the different images that communicate to each other. The image I am portraying is of a man in the act of betraying someone casting a malice shadow of his words and action disembody someone. The man who is in the act of betrayal is replace by a man who feel guilty of his deed of betrayal.

Homeless Outreach

Tonight we went out to the streets to talk to those who are needy. I teared up as we viewed a documentary about homeless population in the United States. I have a problem with the statics and lack of resolve of equal housing for all. Afterwards Sarah from the inner city track gave her testimony and told us a story of a little boy who was sexually abused and shuffle from one home to another. The little boy went from being homeless to juvenile and doing drugs until a man help him as a teenager in New York City by mentioning the love of God. The little boy is her father which touches home not to feel guilty or sorry for Sarah but to be motivate to reach the homeless that night. We were giving P&J sandwiches but more than food Sarah express their greatest need is God and a person to listen to their issues and stories to know someone cares. My group went out to 55th and 5 avenue to talk to homeless people sitting on the steps of St. Thomas Cathedral. I got to talk to two men one Milian and another Bryan. At first it was awkward and hard to get into conversation because I did not know what to say or ask this man. I start by asking Milian where he's from and try to get him to talk about his life. In the end I show him my art which he was captivated by and we talk about his upbringing.

Milian is an older married man who been homeless for 9 years since he loss his job. He haven't been able to find work

since and we talked and hand him food. Milian grew up on the streets of New Jersey and said he has no family there. He

said he knew Jesus and his grandfather is a minister. He keep saying God won't answer us when we pray only when

others pray on our behalf intercessory pray when God listen to us, which I feel is a misconception about prayer. We

prayed for God to bless Milian and that he would be on his feet again.

Second man I talked to is from Honduras by the name of Bryan. He been unemployed for 5 years looking diligently on his

to support his family wife, son who is 8 and daughter who is 7. He was employed as a Thai restaurant but was release 5

years ago and can not find a stable job. His hispanic friends came by one in particular was friendly. He shared his

frustration and we talked about watching the world cup soccer. He said he believes in Jesus and that God will answer

prayer but right now he is frustrated with life. We asked what we can pray for him on his behalf and it was for God to help

provide a job and house. What I learn from this experience is the power of prayer, and how much I take for granted that for

the job opportunity God provided for me with a part time job at Patriot Center and work study. I should feel humble for what

whatever God given me.

Later that night after our outreach I was hungry so I went to one of the Epic guy apartment. Daniel offered authentic chinese

lo mein and dumplings for dinner since he haven't ate dinner yet. I ate some but Daniel want to go running so I followed him

because I want to get to know him more personally. I felt he has a story to share and we went running from 34th and 7th

avenue to West Avenue by the Hudson River downtown toward Tribeca area. While we lightly jog we talked a lot bout our s

stories growing up. He shared about his Filipino culture and family as well as his developing relationship with a girl named

Emily on project. He and her talked about dating but felt God is calling them to wait till an appropriate time after project to

start this dating relationship. He is skeptic about starting one because he had issues of making dating relationship an idol in

high school. He is humble about his faith and how much he can still learn to walk with God and I admire the man for his

intention to DTR with Emily. I look forward to see how else God will use Daniel on this trip.

Quote of the Day
"These P&J sandwiches are solid, they weight a good amount." Steve

Sunday, July 4, 2010 Bye Bye Red Sea

Quote of the Day

"This sweet tea have too much pulp." Adam

We had lunch at Speedy's a cafe on 33rd Street and broadway. Afterwards the art track gathered at NYCAMS for snack and games playing Taboo. We played till we were tired of it as everyone leisurely laid around and enjoy each other company. Later some of us went west toward the Hudson River to see the fireworks, but I didn't go hence no pictures of fireworks. I stayed inside at NYCAMS stress free from weaving through crowds to see some puff in the sky. I stayed with a group of nine other people as we decide to venture out for dinner. Everything was close so we decide to cook a potluck pasta and chicken marinara sauce with bread and fruit salad. We shopped at World Market on 7 avenue and 24th Street and cooked for a good hour and half before fully enjoying our meal. By the time we finish cooking the rest of the students came back from the firework show. We heard the noise of the firework being set off from NYCAMS. Apparently the show lasted for a good 15-20 minutes. We clean up and called it a day because tomorrow is a busy day of going to visit mosques and synagogues and our MNM (Monday Night Meeting) hosted by the inner city track which will includes us doing homeless outreach with brown bag dinner (peanut butter and jelly sandwich, with fruit, and beverage).

Happy Independence Day! Celebrating America's 234th birthday. Today I went with Caleb and Rebecca (Bridges Track) to Bethel Gospel Assembly again in Harlem at their 8am service. It was quite a trip waking up at to depart at 7am to make it on time to service. The pastor gave a sermon on Moses decision at the Red sea. Moses declare the Israelites independence from the Egyptians when he decide to lead his people across the Red sea God parted. Only because of Moses' faith did he trusted God would hold up the storm in his path did Moses cross. Moses could've doubted God's capabilities about the uncertain future to runaway from the Pharaohs. But like Moses' declaration of independence and America's independence , so must we choose to pursue after a life after God and runaway from sin. The worship was as usual amazing with powerful chords and vocals. I can't imagine singing 6 songs for worship practically non-stop without rest with such intensity and projection. I was singing along and start losing my voice and feeling my throat get scratchy. I really felt the sermon was appropriate to today's holiday as we recognized God is bigger than America's problems. We recognize a powerful God who saves and healed the brokenhearted with praise from the pastor of a congregation man who to medical worker is a miracle surviving several blackouts in his old age.

Sunday, July 3, 2010

We went to a place called Chili Thai which David suggested and it was great. The restaurant is a small space and you can't imagine people fitting inside this space when you walk in on 9th avenue on 50th Street. I got the crispy calamari with plum sauce and salmon soup to start. For my entree I got the spicy duck stir-fried with white rice which was good. We went from there to the Amish Market which has a lot of grocery food except I believe it was more fresh and organic. There I got cereal, ice cream, and string cheese. From there we went to the M & M store which I got the most expensive $17 bag of speciality M & M mixed colored candy.


Daniel Baltzer is a friend of Eric Helvic who is Caleb and Jayson art mentor. Daniel Baltzer is a painter you can look at his artwork at www.dBaltzer.com. Daniel Baltzer is a painter as well base in Harlem where his studio is which we had a chance to see today. His work is all about connectivity and this globalization that is changing how we interact with each other. The series of paintings he tie in technology broadcasting and how we communicate to weave society, ideas, thoughts, humanity together through this one social network. It make me think the world is a lot smaller than we think although I don't know who's who is connected to who in this world. It is like God's kingdom building upon the idea that we like to see the kingdom of God grow within our movements and churches yet we don't know who's being add on just that we know we are doing our part piecing it all together. It remind me of a book by Jesse Rice who wrote The Church of Facebook. This book talks about the same kind of issue Daniel is talking about in his artwork the idea of inter-connectiveness. I'm glad to visit and see Daniel Baltzer space and how he work. He is a Christian artist who goes to Eric's church and Eric thought Jayson who benefit from hearing Daniel and his connection with people at Wallstreet Art Academy in New York where Jayson is considering to transfer to.

On the way to Eric's place we saw this in the sky. At first Jayson thought it was funny the clouds look like this, until he say words are being spelled out in the sky by airplanes of Geico. At Eric's place he gave us some good feedback after hearing our art project pitch. Eric suggest Jayson and I take a look at Francis Bacon because of the claustrophobic closest like space are referencing and he suggest we follow Bacon's use of a light chain in his paintings into our space.
Caleb group represent their final idea of an installation space where they will use invitation cards cut out into shape of leaves in a pile. The cards represent the many different invitations we are overwhelmingly invited to each day and the obsessiveness of other people wanting a part of our business. The cards will be personally hand written and from what I heard be made from cardboard stock for weight posted on chicken wire. Eric Helvic gave us some suggestion for Caleb's group to consider referencing Cuban artist at Harvard by the name of Felix Gonzalez-Torres who does similar installation of piles but his pile is of candy. Eric suggest the possibility of guest being able to take an invitation from the pile of invitation leaves.