Purpose of the Project
As our group was discussing what we would research and analyze for this project, we discovered that we all have an interest in art. Art has been a prevalent portion of society from the First Century until today's contemporary culture. We all concluded that a way to incorporate our interest in art and its prominence in culture was simply to analyze several diverse pieces of art. After looking at artwork from the High Renaissance all the way up until today's age, we have concluded that art transcends time. We looked at the timeless artistic techniques used within each piece to consider the creativity within the artist. Also, by researching the intended interpretations behind each work, we found many interesting stories that reach beyond the surface level of a painting or sculpture. Along with analyzing these aspects of the art, we viewed each of the nine pieces through a Christian worldview. Our core purpose in doing this critical view was to recognize the creativity displayed in the artwork. Sometimes the Christian's current mindset on art is that it is simply a waste of space--especially if it is a so-called uncomfortable or disturbing composition. However, after deeply studying the nine works we have chosen to analyze, our overarching realization was that a Christian living in today's contemporary culture should look at art and see God. Art is not just a matter that takes up space, but it is an experience--one of worship.
Project Thesis
While developing their pieces, artists engage with an inherent creative nature, given to them by God, and thus, their work is a useful tool in contemporary culture because it expresses Christian emotions and values.
Instructions for the Blog
In order to read through our findings on nine diverse pieces of art, there is a list of "Pages" on the left side of the blog, and there is a separate link to each artwork analysis. We hope that you will take this opportunity to explore each artist's creation through a Christian worldview. Feel free to leave comments on your interpretations of the artwork as well as any comments on our group's research discoveries. Enjoy!
Project Work Credit
Claude Monet's Water Lilies (Charity Stratford)
Salvador Dali's The Persistence of Memory (Charity Stratford)
Michelangelo's Pieta (Charity Stratford)
Vincent van Gogh's Pair of Old Shoes (Julie Browning)
Jan Vermeer's Girl With a Pearl Earring (Julie Browning)
Gerhard Richter's Woman Descending the Staircase (Julie Browning)
Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper (Brenda Tate)
Georges Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (Brenda Tate)
Robert Gober's Untitled (Brenda Tate)
