In Australia, Pope Benedict XVI will see Richard Campbell’s work, which “brings together traditional Aboriginal culture and the Catholic faith.” [Macleay Argus]
The “Chinese equivalent of the Sistine Chapel,” the Buddhist art of the Mogao Caves, is in danger. [Independent]
Top pilgrimage sites: Vatican–1, Mexico City’s Basilica of Guadalupe, pictured–2. [Dallas Morning News]
Alexander Zorin, amid reflecting on Christian art and the KGB: “The artist, more than anyone else, harbors doubts about the usefulness of his creative work. He often feels alone and fears that no one is listening to him.” [Spero News]
Glasgow’s second International Festival of Light, the slide show. [BBC]
The First Congregational United Church of Christ has a new gallery space. Interested artists contact Gary Mitchell.[Citizen-Times, Asheville]
The Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas, Minnesota, is renovating its 89-year old sanctuary. [University of St. Thomas]
Currado Malaspina has been called a “teleological Torquemada” and told to “stay the hell away from Jewish history,” but damn it he stands by his comparison of Kitaj and David Schoffman. Challengers of his ability “as a lapsed Catholic, to evaluate the Jewish nature of these two giants’ work,” begone! [Schoffman Painter]
Prince Charles said at the shrine of Mavlana Jalal al-Din al-Rumi: “What better place to rededicate ourselves to reacquiring an understanding heart and a rebalance of the East and West in ourselves.” And what better way to say it than with blue plastic bags on your feet. [Mirror UK, Times UK, UK Press Assoc]
International Christian Art Competition - Call for Entries.
“Noted archivist and stained-glass iconographer” Helene Harmon Martin Weis has died just three days before her 85th birthday. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
From Chana, The Curious Jew’s notes for Rabbi Kenneth Auman test: “[Tangent: Are you allowed to look at religious art in museums? Coins/ stamps that may have crosses or other things on them/ can you look at these?].” Chana adds:
My personal justification for studying this stuff is that it often does come in useful for me when studying Torah … Also, in contemporary society it is impossible to be completely insulated from this stuff, so I feel it is better to confront it head on and learn about it in detail to understand it properly, including its flaws, than to leave it as tempting forbidden fruit. I do sometimes worry that I’m making false justifications for myself, though.
Chana if you are out there, you’ve earned yourself an Iconia interview on the matter. I’d love to hear more about idolatry and museum going.
