Art is not a pleasure, a solace, or an amusement; art is a great matter.
Art is an organ of human life, transmitting man's reasonable perception into feeling. – Leo Tolstoy
On February 27, seven students and I attended the International Arts Movement Conference in Manhattan, hosted by the renowned artist, Mako Fujimura. The evening session consisted of a lecture by Mr. Fujimura, a Jazz concert led by pianist Helen Sung integrating poetry and the Psalms, and capped off by the poetry readings by former Poet Laureate, Billy Collins.
Prior to the performance we spent four hours at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and toured St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Below are segments of several reflections by the students who attended. I believe they encapsulate the experience.
Ashlyn wrote, “We had the privilege of hearing the perspective of a truly great artist himself explain how art and the Church are inexorably linked but largely ignored. He described in a stunningly eloquent way the way art bespeaks of beauty, truth and goodness and urged everyone to engage in art to better themselves and humanity … The time spent at MOMA and IAM conference was rewarding and enriching not to mention the questions it raised. Furthermore, it incited thoughtful conversations and encouraged each student to look more deeply into the way beauty and art are essential to a deeper and stronger faith in God. The implications of this last point will keep me, personally wrestling, searching and learning for some time to come.”
Through the lens of poetry Mark wrote,
Who am I?
In the Museum of Modern Art in New York,
I walked through the paths of the great artists, trying to read their intentions and passions behind their paintings.
When I was looking into these masterpieces of the great artists, I was drawn into their paintings as if I became an artist myself.
I saw myself as a great artist, conceiving a painting in my mind and wondering how I am going to put these ideas from my mind into delicate brushstrokes,
And in that moment of my daydream, I became an artist.
Then I was inspired by the ingenuity of the Jazz band,
Where they communicated their passions and ideas
Through their facial expression, body movements, and passion that words cannot describe,
Accompanied by the harmonious sounds, soothing my weary soul …
Then one of the great poets of our time, Billy Collins, read his poems articulating the themes shared by us all.
His poems brought me into the world of poems, where everything was expressed only in poems. Love, happiness, obsession, anger, passion, and frustration and death were conveyed in poems so delicate, sweet, and soothing to my soul.
Once again, I entered a world of poetry where I became a poet.
Going through different places and being inspired by different people, my untamable passion made me into a different person every time – an artist, a musician and then a poet …
So, who am I? Why do I exist? What do I want to become? Will my future be shining with promises?
I want definite answers right now,
but let time alone answer this question that I am desperate to know: Who am I.
Charlie reflected, “I have wrestled with Fujimura's words, as many have wrestled with his paintings. ‘Five and six hundred years ago artists worked for the church, now they run from it" he boldly stated. Every member of the audience could tell that he was genuinely disappointed with this fact. There he stood, a beacon of artistic hope for the church, and yet a foreigner, not only in this country, but his message is foreign in our evangelical underworld. I do not pretend to be a professional artist such as Fujimura … But, Fujimura and myself are not that different [because] … the reason we paint is the same. "Art is a gift not a commodity, it is a gift from the painter to all of humanity", Fujimura's words tumble out of my mouth like an un-corked bottle that has been tipped over. The very essence, the reason for painting, for art, is not for fame, or wealth, but for bringing glory to my savior. I am sure that Fujimura would agree … My paintings are my hymns … We were created to create, your medium may be in note and rhythm, in word and letter, or smiles and hugs, but mine is in paint and canvas.”
