weltschmerz... a german concept for world pain of world weariness, an entire pessimistic worldview. i am often overwhelmed by world weariness, especially when i consider my artistic contributions to the world. is it enough to inject beauty into a world a pain? frivolity into a world of seriousness? does that really change anything?
i believe it does. laughter is God breaking into the pain. silliness is that way we cope with the absurdity of the evil in the world. humor and beauty in the midst of a broken economy, a society where children go hungry, workers are crushed by debt incurred in the very act of working, where young men, unarmed, are shot on the platform of a BART stations... humor and beauty don't just help us cope, they change the very problems we are coping with and our orientation to them. humor and beauty reveal the places where the kingdom of God breaks through into our broken world.
and so, as i consider how to re-enter the world of painting, how my art can incorporate my theological education, here is what i am proposing (to who, i do not know, but i always want feedback)...
216 silly faces.
i will take photos of over 200 people making silly faces. these people will be friends, family, people in my communities, and strangers. i will use the photos to make 216 silly face paintings, each four inches by four inches. when put together, the faces will form a scene (to be determined) that will measure three feet by eight feet. each will be a work of art on its own, but will also form something different when all put together.
now, something to consider. i hope that this can not just be a work of art, but an approach to interacting with my communities in the next couple of months. i have to be brave enough to ask people to let go, and be silly, for a camera. this is hard.
i also have to consider if it would be more constructive to target a particular community (i.e. the presbytery, my neighborhood, etc.) in hopes of this project changing a particular community. is that kind of change even possible to hope for?
216 silly faces. thoughts?
Abby, I love this idea. Also, seems like there is room for exploration with all sorts of facial expressions. Seems to serve as a nice metaphor for community as well. I could even see some 'composite composites', i.e., different patches of emotions woven together.
Posted by: Jake | 06/05/2009 at 11:34 AM
you will not have a problem finding a silly photo of me... I think this is a very intruiging idea... I say go for it!!! Is there a meaning in the number of 216?
Posted by: Hayley | 06/05/2009 at 12:45 PM
that is a fabulous idea, it will be great
Posted by: annie | 06/05/2009 at 04:47 PM
I like it too. There has not been enough silliness in my life the past few months. We are all burdened in our own ways, but need to help each other see past the things that take away our joy. Together we can (tomatoes)!
Your paintings are lovely too. I'd like a private showing one of these days!
Posted by: Christine Boles | 06/05/2009 at 11:14 PM