The results are in

Okay. It isn't official yet, but I can safely say that the Risen Savior triptych will not happen. Last week there was a WELS district pastors' convention hosted at Risen Savior, and some of us, myself included, thought that it would be a good idea to poll the pastors as to what their reaction to the triptych was. The model was on display, and a detail of the triptych was provided on each survey. Thirty or so pastors were there, as well as a few laymen, and we received 22 surveys back. The results were heart-breaking for me.

The questions were based on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being least favorable and 5 being most favorable.

1. What is your impression of adding the triptych to the chancel? The average score was 1.9, the overwhelming majority being 1s.
2. Does the triptych assist in the mission of Risen Savior, which is 'Equipping believers to share the risen Savior, Jesus?' The average, again, was very low at 2, the majority of which were 1s.
3. Is liturgical art important to your worship experience? The response here was evenly scattered, with a few low scores, but mostly 4s and 5s. The average was 3.4. 

The survey asked for written comments as well, and they provide a glimpse at the reasoning behind some of the scores. Some questioned the use of the church's money, while others commented that it didn't fit with the chancel, because it covered up part of the cross. One commenter didn't want to see any depictions of death, and another criticized the lack of body hair on Jesus and Adam. But overwhelmingly, most comments focused on the implied nudity. While several responses complimented the symbolism and strong theology, they warned that the nudity would distract or even offend people, and thus, should be avoided. Some went so far as to call it "suggestive" and "risqué."

What does this mean? Most of the Elders agreed that with so much opposition to it from pastors, and essentially with not one, but two, main obstacles, that the triptych would not be a good fit for Risen Savior. The majority view was that such an important project should not be pushed on the congregation without a consensus, and such a consensus is obviously impossible.

It is heart-breaking, because it proved my thesis more right than I hoped it would be. Conservatism, a sparing attitude toward the arts, and the fear of causing offense are driving the church (I think) ever deeper into mediocrity. I argued in my thesis that a minimalist, sparse, and utilitarian aesthetic most often accompanies a spiritual sparsity, such as it did after the Enlightenment. How long will it take for the church to realize that an artistic vacuum is not a good thing?

Model Completed

It has been a long month, but the Risen Savior model is finally finished. I presented it yesterday, and we'll meet again to discuss it next Sunday. Here are some photos I took this morning, attempting to simulate lighting conditions similar to the original. A cutout of my pastor is provided for scale, and some detail shots with a quarter, to show actual size.

Materials: Foamcore, mat board, bristol paper, construction paper, Elmers glue, spray paint, acrylic gesso, acrylic paint, clear PVC, steel yard marker, bass wood

Tools: #11 X-acto blades, awl, mat cutter, compass, rulers, hobby saw, brushes, ink jet printer, 220- and 1000-grit sandpaper

Model Progress

I'm building a model of Risen Savior as part of the triptych pitch. This is to help us figure out how it would look best in the sanctuary. I'm nearing completion on the building, and have yet to start the chancel furnishings.

Gilgamesh, Part II

In my Concept Design class this quarter, I decided to continue working on my interpretation of the Gilgamesh epic. This time I wanted to focus more on drawings, since I felt they were lacking in my last presentation. I also made a maquette of the Bull of Heaven. I didn't have time to finish making all the scales, but otherwise the sculpting part is finished. It's made with Super Sculpey and Super Sculpey Firm, mixed together. I intended to bake and paint it, but didn't have time. Still, a grey maquette is a great tool for seeing how a three-dimensional form looks in real space, from different angles, and in different lighting scenarios.

The kingdom of Sumer, 2600 B.C.

Gilgamesh, age progression

Gilgamesh slaying Huvawa

Gilgamesh riding the Bull of Heaven

Elohim, in human form

The tower of Babel under construction

Thesis: Visual Component

Here's what I've been working on for the past two or three weeks. These drawings were part of the visual component of my thesis, and were displayed at our Illustration thesis exhibit on March 4th. They are studies for the proposed Risen Savior Triptych.

11 x 14 pencil on bristol, 2011

24 x 17" charcoal on Arches cold press, 2011

8 x 6" watercolor on Arches cold press, 2011

11 x 8" digital, 2011

Just for Perspective...

Just to give you a good idea of the space I'm working with, this is a picture of the sanctuary at Risen Savior. It has very nice natural lighting. But as you can see, the chancel is quite minimal. My task will be to design the triptych so that it fits into the space without appearing as an afterthought. Easier said than done!