I've said before that the measure of a man is in what he creates, not what he destroys. My creative/artsy/"enlightened" friends tend to agree with this thought. But these days I think it's really about balancing your creative and destructive powers. For instance:
1. Creatiion can be bad- ask the creative braintrust behind the Manhatten Project if their creation was all they hoped it would be. Not famiilar?- read about the Manhantten Project here.
2. Destruction can be positive- the United States abstained from entering into WWII until Pearl Harbor. Perhaps we always knew that monsters such as Hitler and Stalin needed to be stopped, but FDR needed a reason to enter into war. Japan offered it up, we went to war on its heels, and the destruction that our weopons and soldiers caused actually ended genocidal suffereing, stopping the death count at around 11 million Jews, handicapped, gypsies, resistors, and soldiers.
We don't live in a world where current events preach a balanced approach to life's choices. In this world of extreme changes, constant shifting of priorites and goals, and an endless feeling of peacelessness, we should mourn the loss of old houses that must be torn down, celebrate new houses that must be built, and be content with finding a home in this midst.
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October 06, 2009
October 05, 2009
Study Probe #2
Ponder this- Freedom of choice was the alpha weopon of mass destruction- what will be the omega? Will our own creativity be our undoing? Can our creativity "save" us? Will we choose to rise above, or fall below?
I believe there is an unbreakable link between the spirit and the arts. Part of that is unexplainable- some things just cannot be made tangible for painless digestion. So, I'm encouraging my email list and Facebook friends to respond to a series of questions I'm going to post here. Here is the first. Please leave me as detailed an answer as you feel, and know that I am very grateful to all who reply!
Study Probe #2:
NOT SPECIFIC TO ANY SINGLE FAITH- Please reference your own beliefs and theology when responding to this question.
"Theaters are the new Church of the Masses- where people sit huddled in the dark, listening to people in the light tell them what it is to be human" - 1930's Film Critic. [Editor's note- If you know who said this, I'd love to know! Found by my spouse Tina at churchofthemasses.blogspot.com]
To some, this will be furiously provacative, to others, this will ring true and deep. Regardless of what side you fall on, it is universally true that the arts, whether visual, theatrical, or musical, have endeavored to enrich human life and lead us into a deeper understanding of ourselves, our fellow men and women, and things that are far greater than all of us. Much like spiritualities and faiths have done. But who is leading who in this "race" of sorts?
The modern church, globally and especially nationally, has seen the Christian church experience try to re-imagine itself a mixture of college multi-media lecture hall and U2 cover band concert experience.
Other faiths have taken strides to remain traditional and orthodox per their history, but this perhaps is to their detriment as well, as humanity is constantly re-conditioned as to what expectations they should carry forth. Many times, values such as 'historical 'and 'traditional' don't connect deeply enough to entice new followers, or were the very causes of a person's exodus in the first place.
At the same time, whether through blogs such as this one, or huge theatre experiences such as "Wicked", a very complex and sometimes hurting world desperately seeks for what is truly worth having faith in. Faith is a very human trait, unique in its seemingly contractictory nature.
Faith helps to maintain hope in the face of hopelessness, and peace in the midst of desperation. Desperation- that's a key word in this discussion. An inescapable feeling we all suffer... Desperation- a hopeless Palestinian kid is convinced that paradise is one small sacrifice away. Desperation- a hopeful drug-addict takes one final hit the night before entering rehab, and never wakes up. Desperation- what does it look like for you?
Some people feel desperate locked into their cubicle at their 9-5 insurance job. Some find desperation waiting in the welfare line. And some people find "normal" to be a panic-inducing thought. What does "desperate" look like to you?
I think it looks, and feels, "Human", which is why faith so perfectly foils it. So if this quote is true, then it has proven itself quote prophetic, as a desperate world reaches for a better version of itself on stage or screen- it's just that sometimes those stages/screens are in a church/temple, and sometimes they're in a theatre/concert hall....
?'s for you:
1. What is the greatest benefit(s) that the arts can provide to spiritualties/faiths?
2. How have the arts bolstered your faith in Faith?
3. Bonus question... other than the object of worship, how different is, say, a theatre or concert experience vs. a church/religious experience... that's sure to get a few people going....
Dialougue is a key to improving the state of affairs in our life and world. No thougths are wrong, but keep this spirit of discussion in mind, if you would.
Blessings,
Deacon
I believe there is an unbreakable link between the spirit and the arts. Part of that is unexplainable- some things just cannot be made tangible for painless digestion. So, I'm encouraging my email list and Facebook friends to respond to a series of questions I'm going to post here. Here is the first. Please leave me as detailed an answer as you feel, and know that I am very grateful to all who reply!
Study Probe #2:
NOT SPECIFIC TO ANY SINGLE FAITH- Please reference your own beliefs and theology when responding to this question.
"Theaters are the new Church of the Masses- where people sit huddled in the dark, listening to people in the light tell them what it is to be human" - 1930's Film Critic. [Editor's note- If you know who said this, I'd love to know! Found by my spouse Tina at churchofthemasses.blogspot.com]
To some, this will be furiously provacative, to others, this will ring true and deep. Regardless of what side you fall on, it is universally true that the arts, whether visual, theatrical, or musical, have endeavored to enrich human life and lead us into a deeper understanding of ourselves, our fellow men and women, and things that are far greater than all of us. Much like spiritualities and faiths have done. But who is leading who in this "race" of sorts?
The modern church, globally and especially nationally, has seen the Christian church experience try to re-imagine itself a mixture of college multi-media lecture hall and U2 cover band concert experience.
Other faiths have taken strides to remain traditional and orthodox per their history, but this perhaps is to their detriment as well, as humanity is constantly re-conditioned as to what expectations they should carry forth. Many times, values such as 'historical 'and 'traditional' don't connect deeply enough to entice new followers, or were the very causes of a person's exodus in the first place.
At the same time, whether through blogs such as this one, or huge theatre experiences such as "Wicked", a very complex and sometimes hurting world desperately seeks for what is truly worth having faith in. Faith is a very human trait, unique in its seemingly contractictory nature.
Faith helps to maintain hope in the face of hopelessness, and peace in the midst of desperation. Desperation- that's a key word in this discussion. An inescapable feeling we all suffer... Desperation- a hopeless Palestinian kid is convinced that paradise is one small sacrifice away. Desperation- a hopeful drug-addict takes one final hit the night before entering rehab, and never wakes up. Desperation- what does it look like for you?
Some people feel desperate locked into their cubicle at their 9-5 insurance job. Some find desperation waiting in the welfare line. And some people find "normal" to be a panic-inducing thought. What does "desperate" look like to you?
I think it looks, and feels, "Human", which is why faith so perfectly foils it. So if this quote is true, then it has proven itself quote prophetic, as a desperate world reaches for a better version of itself on stage or screen- it's just that sometimes those stages/screens are in a church/temple, and sometimes they're in a theatre/concert hall....
?'s for you:
1. What is the greatest benefit(s) that the arts can provide to spiritualties/faiths?
2. How have the arts bolstered your faith in Faith?
3. Bonus question... other than the object of worship, how different is, say, a theatre or concert experience vs. a church/religious experience... that's sure to get a few people going....
Dialougue is a key to improving the state of affairs in our life and world. No thougths are wrong, but keep this spirit of discussion in mind, if you would.
Blessings,
Deacon
October 02, 2009
Study Probe #1
Ponder this- Freedom of choice was the alpha weopon of mass destruction- what will be the omega? Will our own creativity be our undoing? Will we choose to rise above, or fall below?
I believe there is an unbreakable link between the spirit and the arts. Part of that is unexplainable- some things just cannot be made tangible for painless digestion. So, I'm encouraging my email list and Facebook friends to respond to a series of questions I'm going to post here. Here is the first. Please leave me as detailed an answer as you feel, and know that I am very grateful to all who reply!
Probe 1:
"The church has found that condescension, irrelevancy, and a total lack of commitment to the Creative Vanguard has not only tarnished it’s heritage and legacy, but has, like a Great Flood, washed away it’s foothold in the hearts and minds of this world."
1.How true or false is this statement? Please explain how strongly you agree if it's true or false, in detail.
2. What is the first change the Church/Faiths must make to positively and permanently change this perception?
Faith/Church in this usage does not denote Christian faith/churches specifically- whether your faith is Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, etc... your feedback is important. My goal here is to contextualize the connection between the spirt and the arts. Please & Thank You.
Be blessed,
Deacon
I believe there is an unbreakable link between the spirit and the arts. Part of that is unexplainable- some things just cannot be made tangible for painless digestion. So, I'm encouraging my email list and Facebook friends to respond to a series of questions I'm going to post here. Here is the first. Please leave me as detailed an answer as you feel, and know that I am very grateful to all who reply!
Probe 1:
"The church has found that condescension, irrelevancy, and a total lack of commitment to the Creative Vanguard has not only tarnished it’s heritage and legacy, but has, like a Great Flood, washed away it’s foothold in the hearts and minds of this world."
1.How true or false is this statement? Please explain how strongly you agree if it's true or false, in detail.
2. What is the first change the Church/Faiths must make to positively and permanently change this perception?
Faith/Church in this usage does not denote Christian faith/churches specifically- whether your faith is Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, etc... your feedback is important. My goal here is to contextualize the connection between the spirt and the arts. Please & Thank You.
Be blessed,
Deacon
March 19, 2009
Younger/Peer/Older/Gone--#3A of 4, second half to come!
I'm going back...back, back, back, back, back...backwards through the list, that is!
Jamerson, Pastorius, Wonder, and Tyner. Some of you are wondering if I've betrayed my home base, namely guitar-based music. Well, fret no more. I'm going to give you some peers today that are rocking the House of Guitar kasbah like there's no tomorrow...
These bands all feature guitarists that are around my neck of the woods. I have greatly enjoyed hanging with, learing from, and hopefully giving some goodness back to these fine folks you're about to meet. I also love celebrating the Great Unknown when it comes to artists I love, and hopefully, you will grow to love a few of, if not all of, these great bands and musicians. Without further ado, and in no order other than numerical...
1. James Biehn/Soapbox Prophets-Was the first, and perhaps only, true personal guitar mentor I ever took on. I fell in love with his playing during his tenure with a band call Hyde Park- more on them to come later, but it was a glorious musical experience to behold. They were truly the Jazz is Dead for my generation and locale.
Since the Park ended several years ago, Biehn has gone onto an outstanding, hard-swinging quartet called the Soapbox Prophets. and occaisionally leads a local conglomerate known as Southbound, a musical tribute to Duane-era Allman Brothers joy.
Besides being a great instructor, and now college teacher, I've had the pleasure of watching his peronal life bloom with marriage and fatherhood. All told, he is one musician who truly "deserves" to make it- as much as I hate that term, it's apropos to the man and his soulfulness and talent.
GEAR: Through an Ibanez S-series, to a Cort CL-1500, to a PRS RW-neck McCarty, to a Highway 1 Strat, to his current beauty, a '61 Gibson SG re-issue, he has maintained a beautiful tone through Traynor, Fender, and now, I believe, Marshall amps; regardless of gear, he has continually refined the beauty of his artistry.
2. Andy Anderson/SNAFU- Everytime I talk to frontman deluxe Andy Anderson, I find something about him that either mirrors my own feelings, or might as well have been my thought- we appear to be cosmic brothers of another mother!
SNAFU is a power trio that blends the hard swing of Zeppelin, with a tastefully sophisticated pop sense learned at the corner of Queen and Elton. A highly-talented vocalist, songwriter, gutiarist, keyboardist, arranger, producer... Anderson's got it all, and it's all good! Driven as an artist, but not obsessively, Andy is quite the inspiration to observe when you need that shot to the heart. He is fearless on stage, and I've witnessed many a moment that would have become trainwrecks in the hands of lesser men seem effortless to him and his band. He is, what my wife would call, an ambassador of joy in how he carries himself, and that electricity is only amplified when he hits the stage. A definite must see, and another man and musician who could truly make waves if given the opportunity. Like Biehn, there are many in the world who could truly use this special kind of magic.
GEAR: Think Clapton through Brian May's rig, and you are right about on the mark! Currently using a Clapton signature Strat, with a Brian May tribute sitting in the rack, through a modern Vox amp. His tone is always dialed right, bright, and a whole lotta fun to listen to. For keyboards, he typically rocks a Korg Triton.
3... ah, don't get greedy now! I'll return the end of this week to shed the light a few more (more than 2 means a few) wonderful contemporaries of mine from the homeland. Until then, click on those links, check out those killer bands, and maybe find something new to love!
Peace,
Deacon
Jamerson, Pastorius, Wonder, and Tyner. Some of you are wondering if I've betrayed my home base, namely guitar-based music. Well, fret no more. I'm going to give you some peers today that are rocking the House of Guitar kasbah like there's no tomorrow...
These bands all feature guitarists that are around my neck of the woods. I have greatly enjoyed hanging with, learing from, and hopefully giving some goodness back to these fine folks you're about to meet. I also love celebrating the Great Unknown when it comes to artists I love, and hopefully, you will grow to love a few of, if not all of, these great bands and musicians. Without further ado, and in no order other than numerical...
1. James Biehn/Soapbox Prophets-Was the first, and perhaps only, true personal guitar mentor I ever took on. I fell in love with his playing during his tenure with a band call Hyde Park- more on them to come later, but it was a glorious musical experience to behold. They were truly the Jazz is Dead for my generation and locale.
Since the Park ended several years ago, Biehn has gone onto an outstanding, hard-swinging quartet called the Soapbox Prophets. and occaisionally leads a local conglomerate known as Southbound, a musical tribute to Duane-era Allman Brothers joy.
Besides being a great instructor, and now college teacher, I've had the pleasure of watching his peronal life bloom with marriage and fatherhood. All told, he is one musician who truly "deserves" to make it- as much as I hate that term, it's apropos to the man and his soulfulness and talent.
GEAR: Through an Ibanez S-series, to a Cort CL-1500, to a PRS RW-neck McCarty, to a Highway 1 Strat, to his current beauty, a '61 Gibson SG re-issue, he has maintained a beautiful tone through Traynor, Fender, and now, I believe, Marshall amps; regardless of gear, he has continually refined the beauty of his artistry.
2. Andy Anderson/SNAFU- Everytime I talk to frontman deluxe Andy Anderson, I find something about him that either mirrors my own feelings, or might as well have been my thought- we appear to be cosmic brothers of another mother!
SNAFU is a power trio that blends the hard swing of Zeppelin, with a tastefully sophisticated pop sense learned at the corner of Queen and Elton. A highly-talented vocalist, songwriter, gutiarist, keyboardist, arranger, producer... Anderson's got it all, and it's all good! Driven as an artist, but not obsessively, Andy is quite the inspiration to observe when you need that shot to the heart. He is fearless on stage, and I've witnessed many a moment that would have become trainwrecks in the hands of lesser men seem effortless to him and his band. He is, what my wife would call, an ambassador of joy in how he carries himself, and that electricity is only amplified when he hits the stage. A definite must see, and another man and musician who could truly make waves if given the opportunity. Like Biehn, there are many in the world who could truly use this special kind of magic.
GEAR: Think Clapton through Brian May's rig, and you are right about on the mark! Currently using a Clapton signature Strat, with a Brian May tribute sitting in the rack, through a modern Vox amp. His tone is always dialed right, bright, and a whole lotta fun to listen to. For keyboards, he typically rocks a Korg Triton.
3... ah, don't get greedy now! I'll return the end of this week to shed the light a few more (more than 2 means a few) wonderful contemporaries of mine from the homeland. Until then, click on those links, check out those killer bands, and maybe find something new to love!
Peace,
Deacon
Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, and Natasha Richardson
My wife was a big fan of the now deceased Ms. Richardson, and we both love her husband, so first of all, blessings to her family in this very hard time. But here's the thought I've been having.
Both Duane and Berry, if I remember correctly, turned down medical attention after their bike accidents. How different would their world, and now the Redgrave and Neeson families' worlds be, if people would just quit being so damn proud and get examined.
I liked this woman's movies, the couple I'd seen, and I obviously love Duane and Berry. Cautionary tales are of no good if we don't pay attention, brothers and sisters...
Both Duane and Berry, if I remember correctly, turned down medical attention after their bike accidents. How different would their world, and now the Redgrave and Neeson families' worlds be, if people would just quit being so damn proud and get examined.
I liked this woman's movies, the couple I'd seen, and I obviously love Duane and Berry. Cautionary tales are of no good if we don't pay attention, brothers and sisters...
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