The Messiah, and Other Religious Truths

AOA NEWSBy Ernest Britton

"The Dogwood Tree" by Thornton Dial

INDIANA - The most exciting exhibition in America today may well be Thornton Dial's (b. 1928) amazing retrospective, "Hard Truths" at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. It is a masterwork of repression, refuse and redemption, and the response on Twitter, Facebook and the news media has been equally enthusiastic. In his 2003 "The Dogwood Tree" (above), Dial places a piece of real dogwood beneath the central figure of the black Messiah. It's an easily identifiable image but still transformative especially for those who have heard that Christ's cross was constructed of dogwood (It wasn't but it's a beautiful tale). It is visual art storytelling of this type that gripes you throughout this huge exhibit that also includes imagery of the death of Princess Diana, American racism, fires in California and the tragedy of 9-11. I hope you won't miss it but I also apologize, because in last week's preview post I neglected to share the closing date for the show (as one reader e-mailed). The show, "Hard Truths" runs through September 18 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

There's "Hard Truth" in Indiana

THIS AFTERNOON, following worship services, the AOA team is headed to the Indianapolis Museum of Art to experience the opening weekend of a major retrospective on Alabama artist and spiritual master of found-objects, Thorton Dial (b. 1928). Dial is the spotlighted artist for this year's winter/spring exhibition and it's a show that everyone should see. He is a hero to AOA friend, and fellow found-object artist Tom, who described the exhibition, Hard Truths as "a once in a life-time opportunity to experience an artform as original to America as gospel music." Between us, we've only seen 2 or 3 of his works in the past, so this will be a real treat today.

IMA Exhibit Spotlights Thornton Dial

INDIANAPOLIS STAR

INDIANA -- A fundamental characteristic of Thornton Dial's work is his use of found objects. An exhibition, "Hard Truths" opens this week at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. "The castaway objects he uses for their resonate symbolism, just not for the sake of using materials. They're all signs and have complex imbedded meaning especially when they start to converse with each other," she said. This draws from allegorical displays known as the African-American yard show appearing in the South's cultural topography for more than 100 years. "It's a form of encoded visual language that expresses a wide range of social, political, spiritual, philosophical ideas,"  said Joanne Cubbs, Indianapolis Museum of Art's adjunct curator of American Art. [link]

Holy Hometowns (Top 10 & 100)

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Tahlib

Just in time for the holidays, Mens Health Magazine compiled a listing of America's Most Religious Cities. Can you find your city on the list of America's most religious hometowns? My own NYC is near bottom at #84...shocking?

1. Colorado Springs, CO
2. Greensboro, NC
3. Oklahoma City, OK
4. Wichita, KS
5. Indianapolis, IN
6. Jacksonville, FL
7. Portland, OR
8. Birmingham, AL
9. Charlotte, NC
10. Little Rock, AR