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The Highest Form of Hope

 

Needed Proof

"Thing and Deception" Martinez Celaya   oil on canvas  1997


In reading "God in the Gallery", I'm being introduced to Martinez Celaya, an artist from the states whose work Daniel Siedell has written of at length.  I'm struck by this painting, but almost more stuck by the words written in pencil at the bottom of the painting (you can't really see them in this picture): Needed Proof.  

In a world that values the concrete, the practical, rationalistic and the observable, "Needed Proof" written on a painting of a chocolate bunny under a red veil seems profound to me. Siedell describes this painting as an icon of doubt.  Sure, at first glance it's a little silly.  The bunny is an object of kitsch - and an object associated with Easter - Siedell describes it as a childhood wish, a treat.  It is veiled, regarded with a sort of reverence with echoes of other objects painted over in the white, texture background.  Siedell asks the question, "Can an Easter bunny - or painting, for that matter - serve as "proof" for anything?"

It has me thinking.

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Capacity to Hold

He is the water: you need only mould
the cup out of two hands extended yonder:
and if you kneel as well---why, then he'll squander,
and pass all your capacity to hold.

              Rainer Maria Rilke


- sent to me by an encouraging friend during these interesting times

This coming fall will bring some big changes for our little family.  We are moving out to Vancouver in order to attend Regent College. I'll be starting a Masters in Christian Studies with a focus on Theology and Arts, and Paul will likely take some classes as well.   So now begins the strange and stress-filled odyssey of selling our first home (this, by far the greatest stress right now), looking for apartments, making new friends and getting to know a new city.   We've spent the large majority of our lives together in Hepburn, Paul has enjoyed a very rewarding ministry here, we have built close relationships, and of course our families live in Saskatoon - and we will miss them dearly.   

This week we told the youth and our church and it was very emotional.  We are blessed to be parting not because of pastoral burnout, or hurt feelings or anything negative... We are able to step away with nothing but love, which makes parting both easier and more difficult at the same time.  I can't imagine replacing Hepburn as "home".  I will feel like I'm "visiting" everywhere else for a very long time - if not forever!

I am unable to adequately describe what a difficult decision this was for us.  I had to re-evaluate my career and educational goals, which was humbling beyond belief.  We spent a lot of time in prayer and many nights tossing and turning...  And it is still hard even after the decision is made.  What if our house doesn't sell?  What if we don't make friends?  What if I go through all this schooling and STILL can't find my place?  But amid the questions I can't help this uncontrollable excitement... I feel so ready to learn. 

I suppose that is the attitude I'll need to cling to over the next few months as we wait for our capacity to hold to be surpassed.

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Sasha's Photography




I have quite the little shutterbug!  Today the boys and I went to meet Auntie Jessica, who is visiting from BC, at the Forestry Farm (Saskatoon's modest but well-kept zoo).  Though the weather was nasty for mid-May, Sasha fought through cold fingers to capture the farm's "wildlife".  We wrongly assumed that most of the animals would be inactive duing the afternoon.  The bears, prairie dogs, wolves and lions put on a bit of show for us today.  I guess when it's only plus five, you've got to do something to keep warm! 

 

Afterwards the boys enjoyed some long-promised lollypops and each received a stuffed bear from auntie Jessica.  Sasha named his bear "Bogart" in honor of Jessica's parent's new puppy.  Noah simply named his "Bear" in his classic, no-nonsense fashion!

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Quotable



"For imitation can only create as its handiwork what it has seen, but imagination equally what it has not seen; for it will conceive of its ideal with reference to reality." - Philostratus

"To desire or to love God is to invest the world with significance, a significance which deepens the mysterious presence of things." - Graham Ward

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God and Modern Art

The few Protestant authors who have addressed art theologically (Rookmaaker, Schaeffer, and Wolterstorff), have generally disregarded modern art as expressions of nihilism. Even D.B. Hart from the orthodox perspective has tended toward this as well.  I loved just about everything he said (...of what I could understand) in Beauty of the Infinite except what he wrote on modern art.   Millinerd, a blogger through whom I wish to live vicariously with all his trips to Europe studying church architecture, posted this interview with Dan Siedell author of God in the Gallery.  You might feel as if it's a little dry - not everyone gets as excited about this stuff as I do - but I think his perspective is a great alternative.  I plan to buy the book.   

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FAIL!

Paul and I have been entertained by failblog.org as of late.  If you're looking to waste a few minutes laughing yourself silly, I suggest you check it out!  Here are some samples... 


Theft Deterrent Fail


Going Green Fail



Overcoming Compulsive Behavior Fail



Paint Job Win

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