Today, I'm not going to write about what I did, what I saw, or what I think. Nada. Instead, I have a question in the wake of a discussion we've been having at school.This is a sculpture that has been "temporarily" in my city for a couple of years. Or something like that. I've never seen it in real life, but I've seen the photos, just like you're seeing here. So, what does it mean? What does it make you think about? Be an art critic: what is your opinion? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts.
13 comments:
It's says its not the right way up!!!
It says to me that some churches are like all talk and no action.
This is a fantastic way to advertise a church and trigger the thought of FAITH. Moreover, it doesn't look real. Interesting we never knew Canada was downunder but rather upover.
cyclone/hurricane?
A sterile scene - pristine benches empty of human beings, sky brightly but unnaturally blue, manicured lawns and paving surround an emaciated church that doesn't want to be there - chained in pretentious instability. The idealised New Age scene has no soul - an allegory of the "post-Christian" era?
It makes me wonder what is wrong? The church is empty, stark and not in touch with the ground. Isn't a church supposed to be filled with people, who are warm? Maybe it is suggesting that the church is no longer relevant - no longer the way it should be???
The sculpture appears to be pointing to an impression that the church is disassociated with reality, empty, and ungrounded. As a viable entity, it is ineffective and dysfunctional, having minimal significant impact on society at large.
On the other hand, it could be seen to be representing a radical, free thinking ideal, where creativity and freedom of expression are accepted. Where church membership is not closed but open to all. The church in society stands out because it is able to exist outside the square. As an impacting tool, it serves to bring attention to itself by not conforming to societal conservatism and constraints.
Interesting form of art, if you can call it art. Is it authentic? Whats God think I wonder? Fortunately for us (the flock)we are the church, and the building is just a building.
The sculpture makes me think (aaah on a holiday no less!):
The style of the building speaks of the past, tradition, christianity (as opposed to a temple, mosque etc).
In the not so far gone past, the church was the cornerstone of many western communities, it represented absolute truth, compassion, morality, family, respect .... the list goes on - it was not perfect but it was build on a solid foundation.
However, now this foundation has been heavily eroded, people are time poor, bombarded by media and pleasing themselves, surrounded by information but not wisdom, familiy breakdown and immorality are the norm etc
Therefore, although the two time periods (the old and new) are still touching (the steeple on the ground) and exist in a few communities around the world - as a whole there is a paradigm shift away from those old values, so much so that we are pulling away in the opposite direction...
I think it might be saying that organized Christianity (The Church) may need to be shaken up a little; it needs to root out the evil within and as well as without.
I don't think it is a negative comment on Christ as much as a recognition that we need to ponder his relevance in a new way beyond the some of the confines of the traditional church. It says about 100 other things to me...but my time is up!
Ange of the South asked me specifically for my opinion... Hmm... I love the backdrop colours, they're fantastic. The only thing that strikes me about the sculpture itself if the fact it appears to be missing walls and structure on the side we can't see from the angle of the photo... And the outter cladding is lacking too. I guess it gives the Leaky House Syndrome of NZ a run for it's money... I wonder if the sculpture fills with water when it rains? The spire etc seem to be in one piece... I dunno, Church & god are fairly irrelevant to me anyway, so I see it as amusing. Sorry Southern Ange! I'll see if there's something else I can be profound about... Ha! ;)
Rhonda J.
It speaks to me of 'church' as it has been known for far too long being stripped away, that it really is just a building and it won't save you. Praise God that we are the church, not confined by any walls. I like it, it's a real wake up and I just enjoyed it...thanks for asking me to see it.
This image is so true of us as people, broken and fallen!
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