A. PRODUCTION
a. Working Title: “The Moonwalking Crucifix”, “The Moonwalking Bear” but more likely: “On the Strange Place of Religion in Contemporary Art” (after the book)
b. Medium: Digital Video, Documentary (traditional form)
c. Intended Audience: the tricky gap between the Art World and Everyone Else
d. Describe Project in one sentence:
A feature length documentary exploring the obvious, but curiously obscure absence of religious art in the contemporary art world after centuries of art dominated by religion.
e. Summary of Project in approximately 250 words:
This documentary will be exploring the work of an artist’s practice straddling the lines of religion and contemporary art while also working to make a cultural connection in his community. It will also follow interviews with writers about the qualms of religious art in the contemporary art world, curators of contemporary art, writers spiritual art, and the odd relationship between religious historians and art historians.
I want to show the ideas of many about art, history, religion, and spirituality, as they ask themselves; what is art? To make them think about their own beliefs and expression. To inspire them to look deeper into something that they may have dismissed before. Art is, if nothing else, communication. It is communication of something that is not as powerful verbally, or sensations so abstract they are beyond words. It is something we feel internally, expressed for our own purpose, or in hopes of finding that someone else can feel it too.
Being a Christian, I always wanted to create a work related to my faith. I do not want to make something evangelistic, or in the aims of preaching, but something that could touch anyone, religious or not, artist or not. Not trying to bring them to a religion, but to art. Art can lead them anywhere.
a. Main conceptual goal(s) to be achieved:
i. Conceptual themes
The analysis of several different areas of history in order to discuss a current postmodern “trend” and through a controversial discourse about religious expression (or lack of) arrive at an answer, or more of an intuitive feeling, of what art is itself.
ii. Historical themes
An intelligent but playful discussion of general art history, crossing over to religious history and American History; culminating in the postmodern era today.
iii. Cultural themes
Discussing the art in a few of the many religions and cultures in America; Catholicism, Christianity, Native American, African American, Universalist, Quaker, etc. I want to try and show light on their common thread through art and spirituality as well.
b. Discuss technical pursuits and how they parallel with your conceptual themes:
Straightforward and clear lighting style and shooting approach. Aiming to make the edit and camerawork invisible in order to support the information and discourse, not detract from it.
B. RESEARCH
a. Proposed Research Topic(s):
American Art History, general world and religious art history, spiritualism, modernism, postmodernism, Marx, Photography’s influence on fine art, contemporary American religious beliefs, postmodern theory and religious conflict, religious criticism, the quoting of religious imagery, contemporary religious artists, contemporary spiritual artists, Art museums and sites in United States relating to religion and/or spirituality, Religious journals, Art Journals, etc.
b. Describe significance of Proposed Research to Thesis Project:
The research has everything to do with the end result video, from the narration I write, to the questions I will ask to guide the interviews. My goal was to make this project a self-motivated exploration of art history and filmmaking to best suit the degree I’ve chosen at KCAI.
c. Describe Proposed Research in conceptual, theoretical, historical, and cultural terms:
My goal is to have well-rounded research in areas of history, social issues, different American cultures, religions and the –ism’s leading to postmodernism. The research should work to support a thoughtful and interesting angle on this sometimes-offensive topic.
d. Describe you proposed research methods:
i. Fieldwork
1. Visiting with directors and curators of contemporary art galleries and art museums
2. Researching exhibitions to find and visit artists working with religious and spiritual subjects
ii. Written Materials
1. Journals of both art and religious organizations
2. Books on general art history, religious art, postmodern art, contemporary trends
iii. Screenings and Work Reviewed
Documentaries; The Botany of Desire, Art 21 episodes, i.e. Spirituality, Sister Wendy
iv. Interviews needed
American art expert
Thomas Benton expert
Religious clergy opinion on art
Contemporary art expert
Postmodern expert
Gallery director opinion on religious art
Contemporary religious art director
Contemporary religious art expert (Elkins)
Historical expert
Nelson-Atkins curator or specialist
Joslyn Director
Artist working in religious context
Artist quoting religious icons to be critical or make new meaning
Artist bridging gap and why
Spiritual art expert
Artist working in spiritual context
Religion in contemporary film comment
Spiritual artist
Invitations from religious cont. art museums to all faiths
ELCA curator
Etc.
v. List resources you have already referenced for this research:
James Elkins, On the Strange Place of Religion in Contemporary Art
Jane Dillenberger, The religious art of Andy Warhol
P.R. Regamey, Religious art in the Twentieth Century
Lynn Gamwell, Exploring the invisible: Art, Science, and the Spiritual
Wassily Kandinsky, Concerning the spiritual in art
Willie Thompson, Postmodernism and History
Jerry Meyer, Profane and Sacred: Religious Imagery and Prophetic Expression in Postmodern Art
