Here’s a clip of friend David Clayton, artist in residence and lecturer at Thomas More College, on EWTN speaking about his Way of Beauty program.
From the University of Manchester Society for the Study of Theology:
THEOLOGY AND THE ARTS
12 TO 14 APRIL 2010, UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
www.theologysociety.org.uk
CALL FOR PAPERS AND BURSARIES
I am writing to announce the call for papers and bursaries for the Society for the Study of Theology’s fifty-ninth annual conference, on the theme ‘Theology and the Arts’. We shall be exploring issues such as: How are the various arts related to other modes of theological interpretation? Is art true, or subjective, or both? What are the limitations of artistic representation? How may art be employed in teaching, whether in church or academy? What are the places of art in prayer and liturgy?
We invite proposals for SHORT PAPERS on the conference theme. Although we welcome discussions of specific artists and media, proposals should address theological questions such as those just listed rather than being confined to surveying the lives or works of particular figures. Papers should be delivered in a maximum of 20 minutes, followed by 20 minutes’ discussion, and should be no more than 2000 words in length. To submit a proposal, please visit www.theologysociety.org.uk/short.asp.
We also invite proposals for SEMINAR PAPERS on a range of ongoing topics. Seminars running in 2010 will include: Church, Theology and Ministry; Doctrine after Christendom; Philosophy and Theology; Theological Ethics; Theology, Feminism and Gender; and Trinity and Christology. To submit a proposal, please visit www.theologysociety.org.uk/seminar.asp.
Our Society operates a generous BURSARY FUND in order to make the conference as accessible as possible. Details of this fund and how to apply are also available on our website at www.theologysociety.org.uk/bursary.asp.
The deadline for receipt of all paper proposals and bursary applications will be 18 FEBRUARY.
Bookings for the conference will open on 5 January and I shall be writing again then to confirm this. In case your decision to attend the conference depends on acceptance of your paper proposal and/or bursary application, you will be notified of the outcome of these by 25 February in order to be able to book online before the early booking rate closes on 4 March.
Please feel free to forward this message to anyone who might be interested in submitting a paper proposal, such as colleagues, postgraduate students or anybody else with graduate-level interest in theology.
By all accounts, Stratford Caldecott is an unassuming man. Reserved in public, he dresses the part of an English intellectual–an actual English intellectual, not the over-tweedy stereotype. He thinks far more than he talks, the mark of a true philosopher. A cursory review of his work or a judgemental observation of his person might even lead one to assume he’s a conservative, a traditionalist, a reactionary of quietly strong pedigree. In a phrase, one who is “stuck in the past,” yearning in the present to return to something better. If one didn’t know better, one might accuse him of intellectual and artistic nostalgia.
But one would be utterly wrong.
There’s nothing glittery or avant garde about Caldecott or his new book, Beauty for Truth's Sake: On the Re-enchantment of Education, but this pivotal piece in contemporary thought simply shines.
This luminous and restrained quote by Jean Leclercq (quoted in Caldecott), illustrates the difference between those who know beauty an those who merely quote it, the difference between a universal philosopher of beauty, and one who feigns it by cultural curiosity rooted in the contemporary,
They loved the authors of the past, not simply because they belonged to the past but because they were beautiful, with a beauty which defies time.
I urge you to read this book. It quietly stands for the renewal in art, culture, education and faith that is the mission and vision of Ruah. I’m grateful for Caldecott’s vision, intelligence and quotidian grace, because it’s through the ordinary lived with great inspiration that beauty will save the world.
But don’t take my word for it. Friend, art historian and fellow blogger Matthew Milliner summarizes his thoughts on the book here:
…there is Stratford Caldecott’s Beauty for Truth’s Sake, which places these more vaulting projects in immediate reach. In addition, it’s far more wide-ranging. Caldecott aims to not only redeem theology with beauty, but quite literally everything with beauty – hence his book will appeal to those outside professional theological circles in ways that the aforementioned books probably (and most unfortunately) won’t. My review of Caldecott’s book was put up at Public Discourse yesterday. I urge you to read it simply because I think it’s a very important book. Better yet, skip my review and just buy the thing[my emphasis].
More reviews here:
Fr. Dwight Longnecker (Standing on My Head blog)
Matthew Milliner (Millinderd blog)
If you haven’t checked out the new design redux over at St. Austin Review, do so! It’s simple, creative and I think perfectly in tune with their goal and mission is–it’s not trying too hard to be what it’s not.
One feature of the new web site is the StAR blog, the Ink Desk, featuring snippets of the faith and culture conversation.
I received this via the SAF’s email newsletter:
Greetings!
The Foundation has reached a critical financial moment. We still need an additional $20,000 to cover operational costs through the balance of this year. Without it, the Foundation will be forced to cease activity and close its doors by mid-September. Yet, if each person on this mailing list offers a contribution of just $50, this financial need will be more than satisfied. The Foundation depends entirely on the generosity of its friends for the support of its programs. We urge you to consider helping us continue our vital mission to evangelize the world through art.
“In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art.” – Pope John Paul II
Contact Us!
1413 K Street NW
Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
202-898-1288
info@thesacredarts.org
Happy Feast of St. Josemaria Escriva!
This painting is done by Sr. AnneMarie Heyne, who is currently a novice with the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Florence, Italy. If you would like to support her vocation and promote the sacred arts, consider purchasing her paintings. Contact me at ruahfellowship@gmail.com if you’re interested.
For more on St. Josemaria:
I heard a joke at daily Mass that made me laugh today. As I’ve said before, I don’t hate all modern or contemporary art (though much of it is based on erroneous principles), but a lot of it is characterized by this:
A man is looking at a painting in an art gallery, and is intrigued with one particular painting. It was a canvas covered with black paint, several large orange splotches, with thin, yellow lines criss-crossed. Tilting his head with furrowed brow, the man was approached by the artist.
“I don’t know if I understand this painting at all. What’s it about?” asked the gallery patron.
Nodding seriously, the artist declared, “Few people understand my work. It comes from inside of me.”
“Maybe you should take an Alka-seltzer,” suggested the man.
I laughed out loud. Yes. Maybe you should take an Alka-seltzer!
You may be a reader of aeternus blog, a lovely online page for commentary on spirituality and mysticism, but what you may not be aware of is that the author, Lisa A. Johnston, is an artist and photographer. And her photography is gorgeous. Take a look.
(Photo used with permission.)
He writes page turners to sell his “theology”. It’s not a big surprise to faithful and well-formed Christians–and in particular, Catholic Christians–but it seems to be news to the millions who read and love him into theological and historical delusion.
Read NY Times Op-Ed Columnist Ross Douthat here. He opens up the cancerous body of work and operates from head to toe, noting that Brown isn’t just your run of the mill anti-Catholic bigot, but an avant garde DIY hater of organized religion in general:
“Piggybacking on the fascination with lost gospels and alternative Christianities, he serves up a Jesus who’s a thoroughly modern sort of messiah — sexy, worldly, and Goddess-worshiping, with a wife and kids, a house in the Galilean suburbs, and no delusions about his own divinity.
But the success of this message — which also shows up in the work of Brown’s many thriller-writing imitators — can’t be separated from its dishonesty.”
That’s right folks. Douthat’s calling him a liar. In the NY Times. Sweet.
As a side note, I went to this Theology on Tap last week that, contrary to its description, was a thorough treatment of the book and movie, “Angels and Demons,” along with a fantastic overview of the Church’s teaching on art and film. Dr. Daniel VanSlyke, Associate Professor of Church History at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, was great, if not an eensy weensy bit long-winded. I’ll post the audio when I get it.
Follow me on Twitter 