tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post1971901919181615235..comments2024-02-22T17:07:38.225-08:00Comments on Diary of an Arts Pastor: On the vocation of an artist: Part Iw. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-71998531870201341932015-09-21T09:41:27.565-07:002015-09-21T09:41:27.565-07:00India, I believe I found that quote in "Art &...India, I believe I found that quote in "Art & Fear," like you did. I'm sure you could email Gopnik directly and ask him yourself: http://www.newyorker.com/contributors/adam-gopnik. Or direct message him on twitter: @adamgopnik.w. david o. taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-3281948972797284902015-09-21T08:56:18.298-07:002015-09-21T08:56:18.298-07:00Hi -- what New Yorker article are you quoting Gopn...Hi -- what New Yorker article are you quoting Gopnik from? I came across that quote in Art & Fear and have been looking for Gopnik's article without success.Indiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01425376261700498727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-30041652906498651902012-07-09T12:00:37.130-07:002012-07-09T12:00:37.130-07:00Linda,
How can I get a copy of that 2008 issue of...Linda,<br /><br />How can I get a copy of that 2008 issue of SEEN?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />ColeCole Matsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13954574912456427100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-47018030030912110842012-06-23T08:11:36.405-07:002012-06-23T08:11:36.405-07:00Linda: you're right. And I've seen it. And...Linda: you're right. And I've seen it. And it's a great issue.w. david o. taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-63602670642875830712012-06-23T08:11:13.326-07:002012-06-23T08:11:13.326-07:00Anne Marie, thanks for stopping by and taking a mo...Anne Marie, thanks for stopping by and taking a moment to share your thoughts. You're right in pointing out that there isn't an argument in this blog entry. It's part one of a five-part blog series and hopefully the "argument" will be easily discernible over the course of the series, if not by the end of it.<br /><br />As I read history I would agree with you that there was something good that resulted when art was able to explore interests beyond the aegis of the church, or of the royal courts or privileged classes for that matter. At the same time, the notion of the artist as self-determined by her own self-expression is a relatively new idea historically and one that would represent a minority perspective in global cultures (outside of western influence, that is). <br /><br />Many artists, of course, see this new turn as a great thing. Others see it as problematic, and my hope is to explore some of these issues both in this series of blog entries as well as, in part, in my talks in Austin.<br /><br />If you're around and having nothing else to do, please do stop by. I'm a big fan of Austin and a big fan of artists in Austin, so it'd be nice to meet you and hear what you're up to.<br /><br />Thanks again!w. david o. taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-18451623624755115682012-06-22T04:10:29.721-07:002012-06-22T04:10:29.721-07:00CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts) devoted an is...CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts) devoted an issue of its journal, SEEN, to the topic of "Vocation and the Artist" (2008). <br /><br />Linda StratfordArts & Faithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12755416266767364958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-46056013401389437342012-06-21T16:37:45.657-07:002012-06-21T16:37:45.657-07:00I actually don't get the point. Was there a p...I actually don't get the point. Was there a point? Other than presenting some ideas of what "art is" I didn't see an argument, theme, or anything other than a meandering essay. <br /><br />My sister has invited me to hear you speak in a few weeks - and I am not sure - as an artist, and a Christian - it makes me uncomfortable to see the "Church" as the wellspring of artistic expression - it was art's greatest accomplishment to break free from the constraints of the Church. How could one possibly have full freedom of expression if being "watched" by the Church???Anne Marie Beardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03770523317196655993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-71774104749901057382012-06-20T10:13:31.067-07:002012-06-20T10:13:31.067-07:00Cherry, Michael and Tamara: thanks for the encoura...Cherry, Michael and Tamara: thanks for the encouraging words.<br /><br />Cole: loved reading your reflection on the topic. I'll certainly look forward to reading the longer version. I'm devoting an entire blog entry to the idea of artist as prophet (it'll probably part #3) and would welcome your feedback. You've already identified some of my concerns and qualifications to the idea, and I'm keen to read what Scott Walters has written on the relation between artist and community. Keep up the good work!w. david o. taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-84651862030843905612012-06-20T05:08:52.551-07:002012-06-20T05:08:52.551-07:00David, this is an excellent post, and exactly in l...David, this is an excellent post, and exactly in line with my doctoral work. I'm looking forward to how you comment on "artist as prophet".<br /><br />It seems to me that the vocation of "artist" and the vocation of "prophet" easily overlap (though they are not the same - I really appreciated your distinction of "separation" vs. "differentiation"). "Artist as prophet" can work if the artist remembers that the prophet:<br /><br />1) speaks the word of God, not his own word<br /><br />2) speaks to the community as a member of the community (though he is often rejected by the community, he does not reject them first)<br /><br />3) speaks the word of God to the community for the benefit of that community (e.g., to encourage them to repentance)<br /><br />Unfortunately, "artist as prophet" too often means:<br /><br />1) the artist speaks his own word (his own artistic vision)<br /><br />2) the artist *must* be on the outside of the community, and must reject the community's values (e.g., the Brennan "anti-establishment" quote)<br /><br />3) the artist speaks his word whether or not it's of any use to the community, and has the right to speak it even if it's harmful to the community (and, in some versions, the community even has a responsibility to enable him to do so, and/or to listen to him, even if the artist's word is harmful to or contemptuous of the community)<br /><br />Drama professor Scott Walters (UNC-Asheville) has an excellent post on the relationship between the artist and community and the role of offense: http://theatreideas.blogspot.co.uk/2009/04/offending-audience.html.Cole Matsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13954574912456427100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-63812830520785826042012-06-19T15:17:52.630-07:002012-06-19T15:17:52.630-07:00Just wanted you to know I'm still reading and ...Just wanted you to know I'm still reading and listening and pondering. I'm looking forward to hearing your response to the Church's view of artist as prophet.tamarahillmurphy.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04557381125830169728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-32726789408113932722012-06-19T14:49:16.658-07:002012-06-19T14:49:16.658-07:00You consistently give me thoughts to chew on... th...You consistently give me thoughts to chew on... thank you. Good word.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02319478676382864883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-60274119414041809312012-06-19T14:11:13.546-07:002012-06-19T14:11:13.546-07:00So...I did as you suggested and wrote my answer fi...So...I did as you suggested and wrote my answer first. I said "to see beyond the surface of things and record what she sees." I started to say "to show others what she sees" but that brings up the whole audience/viewer thing. Somehow for me that's separate. What the viewer sees is theirs not mine. <br /><br />I don't think art HAS to be anti-establishment and I would hate to think it is always "an ideological construct serving the privileged class" although that idea sometimes clouds my way.<br /><br />I'm grateful for your work, David. Keep it up. I am a "viewer" of your art and it helps me.Cherry Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09356108551931393170noreply@blogger.com