Transforming Culture

Artistic Call To Arms

We were tipped off to an event this week by reader Billy Hollis, about an exciting symposium that is taking place in Austin, TX focusing on art and artists and how it relates and integrates with church and community. This was a very encouraging bit of news to find out about.

One of the greatest concerns that I have had for quite a while now has been the over commercialization of the arts, and in particular when it comes to Christian art, whether it's visual or aural. Being an artist myself, I've never lacked having opinions, that being said, I am glad that there are people who enjoy mainstream music and art, for the most part I'm not into it because it doesn't move me.

It reminds me of the talk Sam Phillips gives Johnny Cash in "Walk The Line" when Johnny is singing a mainstream gospel song to him in his audition. Phillips isn't buying it and doesn't believe that Cash believes what he's singing- not that Cash doesn't believe in God, but does he truly feel what he's singing, is he making it his own?

Without opening a can of worms here [which I probably am anyway] I think for something to be felt, for something to be lasting, it has to be created transparently, and presented in the same manner. For me, raw and ugly is far better than neat and tidy. As artists we need to take more chances, make failure an option, lose the safe zones and formulaic pre-packaged, plastic deliverables.

It may be shocking to some, but there are plenty of non Christian artists, musicians, poets, [insert next thing here] that deliver better material than someone who performs a song and slaps Jesus's name on it. Are you selling Jesus or do you actually feel Jesus? More often than not, I see the former. I can clearly spot this by the times that I hear someone who really feels it.

I think these are important things to consider when we take a close look at the artwork that we are creating, and to what degree our viewers and/or listeners are being impacted by our work. If we feel it, they should too. They may not like it, it may not be their taste, but they should be able to see or hear our passion.

So, If any of you are in the Austin area, or can make it to the event, do what you can to get there it sounds like it will be a good one. And if you do make it, let us know your thoughts and reactions