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The header banner this week features an art piece, Growing, by Indian artist Hemali Bhuta, which has been on display at the Singapore Art Museum as part of the Singapore Biennale 2016.
It's made from incense sticks of various colours and scents that are strung up by threads and hung from the ceiling. In creating this piece, the artist draws to attention the singularity of each stick with its own fragrance, as juxtaposed with the collective redolence of the entire environment.
Isn't this quite the analogy for us as the body of Christ? Each of us brings our own individual worship and prayer as incense – but when we come together, there is a blending of smells, and something majestic emerges from the sheer fact that we are coming together as a community with a united intent.
As artists and craftsmen, furthermore, we remember that as we bring our unique talents to the table, there is something greater that arises out of our gathering, just like how the many instruments come together to form a band. And we remember that our individuality is not lost in the process!
So let's not waste the creativity that each of us has been given – nobody else can do it like you do! And when we then come together, let's anticipate the beautiful things that will come about because of our assembly.
– alvin(:
As artists, we are often caught between our craft and our worship – sometimes it seems as if we have to choose one or another, and not both. How do we reconcile these two things? This article presents five short snippets from creatives who seek to find the bridge between their art and their faith, and is a good springboard for our own reflections in the process of finding our place as creatives in the Church.
Wintergatan Marble Machine – How It Works
You've probably seen and heard Wintergatan's Marble Machine before (if you haven't, have you been living under a rock? go check it out here!), but what I wanted to share today was how the machine works. It's a colossal collision between engineering and musicmaking, and watching this video gives some insight into the amount of thought that went into the construction of this machine, and perhaps might inspire you to embark on some creative endeavours of your own.
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The Digital Age – Galaxies
I've introduced The Digital Age before in an earlier edition for their cover of "Oceans", but I would like to share some of their original work, which displays another dimension of their creativity at work. As much as they can be characterised as a rock band, they use unique instrumentation and excellent songwriting to carve out a niche for themselves somewhere between electronic and alt-rock. Galaxies is their second album, and I think that it is worth a listen all the way through – it makes clever use of interludes and radio transmissions to carry the space theme across the whole album. You can listen to the whole album here.
Also by The Digital Age: One Pursuit, Break Every Chain
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Crowder – Run Devil Run
After David Crowder*Band disbanded, their lead vocalist David Crowder continued making music as Crowder. American Prodigal is also his second album, and carries with it the full flavour of his characteristic folktronica style. What sets his music apart from most country songs is the wit of his lyrics; in "Run Devil Run" he manages to take a topic as unconventional as chasing the devil away and imbue it with rhyme and rhythm to make for a really catchy song with some serious theology – just listen to the bridge!
Also by Crowder: Prove It (feat. KB), Come As You Are
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As a parting thought, creativity is really a part of us because our God is a creative God and we were made in His image. So here's to an exciting and creative 2017 ahead!
Over and out!
EUPHOR!A // ISSUE 13 // JAN–FEB 2017