Australia's Blake Prize Exhibition at UNSW Galleries

Arts of Thanksgiving Transcends Cultures, Religions for 600 in Cleveland

JEWISH WEEK
By Jacqueline Mitchell

CJN / BOB JACOB

OHIO---Representatives of almost every faith group and culture in Northeast Ohio gathered in one room to celebrate Nov. 24 at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike. About 600 people attended the synagogue’s fourth annual arts of thanksgiving, an inter-religious and multicultural celebration sponsored by a coalition of religious and cultural institutions. Artists and vendors spread out across the Gross Atrium displaying religious and cultural art. Attendees could participate in a drum circle or have their hands painted with traditional Indian and Arabic henna. Gross Schechter Day School in Pepper Pike hosted a dreamcatcher art project, and the Persian Unity Center translated names into Farsi. [link]

Does the Multifaith Model Work?

RELIGION DISPATCHES
By Jas Chana

NEW YORK---An eye-catching building on the south side of Washington Square Park in New York City houses NYU’s Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life. From a distance its walls seem covered in the tangled pattern of tree roots, giving the place an organic feel. This architectural embellishment symbolizes the naturalistic approach the Center promotes in its capacity as host to worship spaces of three historically disparate religious traditions. Within its walls, an open-minded individual could spend a weekend dabbling in the spiritual worlds of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. [link]

Norton’s Latest Anthology Explores World Religion

THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Jennifer Schuessler

Martin Harvey/Corbis

PUBLISHING---Jack Miles has undertaken no less ambitious a project than writing a “biography” of God, winning a Pulitzer Prize in the bargain. But when the publisher W. W. Norton & Company approached him nine years ago about serving as general editor of its inaugural edition of “The Norton Anthology of World Religions,” Mr. Miles, a former Jesuit seminarian, balked. While the timing seemed right, given the continuing post-Sept. 11 hunger for interreligious understanding, the task was dauntingly huge. Still, he was persuaded, and now the anthology — featuring some 4,200 pages of texts spanning roughly 3,500 years — is here. [link]

‘Gods of Suburbia’: Dina Goldstein’s Arresting Photo Series on Religion vs. Consumerism

THE DAILY BEAST

Laksmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, beauty and money

CANADA---"Gods of Suburbia" is Dina Goldstein’s third large-scale project. The work is a visual analysis of religious faith within the context of the modern forces of technology, science and secularism. The series plays with narrative and religious iconography in order to communicate how organized belief has become twisted within a global framework driven by consumerism and greed. The project challenges the viewer — religious or secular — to embark on a journey of self-reflection as they contemplate the relevance of dogma in modernity. [link]

The Quiet, Quiet Signs of Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas

THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE
By Leah Binkovitz

Interior of the chapel in Houston, Texas

TEXAS---The Sign: Eighteen inches. That's the distance from which one should view a Rothko painting, according to Mark Rothko. One might have to get closer to read the signs outside the Rothko Chapel though. The placards placed around the tan brick structure are minimal, not much more than museum labels. If the chapel were in a museum, say the Menil Collection next door, it would take little to adapt the muted signage: Rothko Chapel. 1971. Mark Rothko, Philip Johnson, Howard Barnstone and Eugene Aubry. Commissioned by Dominique and John de Menil. As they are today, the signs offer some fairly vague guidance for visitors who might be unsure how to proceed: stand-squint-sigh or count rosary beads. "All are welcome," one reads. Another, "Guests are invited to experience the silence."[link]

RELIGIOUS ARTS | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Disney-Britton

"Saint Francis" by Christina Saj is one of the 48 life-size fiberglass sculptures posing in prayer as part of the traveling exhibition, "AMEN--A Prayer for the World.” Saj chose to depict St. Francis of Assisi to honor the efforts of Pope Francis to mend the broken relationships in the world. She is a painter of sacred icons, whose evocative, colorful forms "betray a fascination with geometric abstraction." She is also an A&O INSPIRE ME! Artist of the Month. The exhibition opened this week at New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and that makes it my NEWS OF WEEK.

The Interfaith CARAVAN Art Exhibition Heads From D.C. to New York City

THE ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

"Saint Francis," (lifesize) fiberglass, metal, canvas and paint

WASHINGTON, DC---One of the world's more unusual interfaith art exhibitions is the "CARAVAN" art exhibition, titled "Amen – A Prayer for the World." The exhibition features 48 fiberglass sculptures in prayer painted by artists from Egypt and the West including one Saint Francis inspired sculpture painted by A&O INSPIRE ME! Artist Christina Saj. The first U.S. city to host the exhibition has been the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. (Ended Oct. 6) and the next will be the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City where it will remain on view from October 16 to November 23, 2014.

Art Review: Dan Colen's ‘Miracle Paintings’

THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Roberta Smith

“Rite of Spring” (2013), a Colen “Miracle” painting.

NEW YORK---Dan Colen has dialed back the artistic swagger endemic to his 2010 debut with the Gagosian Gallery. Instead, Mr. Colen has confined himself to oil paint occasionally paired with dry pigment on relatively modest canvases. Irony is now obscured by a veneer of sincerity that can seem almost apologetic. The nine paintings suggest dilutions of quasi-abstract, expressionistic, visionary styles by a painter long dead and best forgotten. At best, they’re transitional indications that Mr. Colen is trying to reduce the role of vacuous skill and visual punning in his art and has more work to do. At worst, they’re forming a cautionary tale about young talent eaten alive by a multinational gallery, even while whistling all the way to the bank. Could be both. [link]

DAN COLEN
‘Miracle Paintings’
Gagosian Gallery
555 West 24th Street, Chelsea
Through Oct. 18 

BYU's Mormons Open Hindu-Themed Art Museum Exhibition "Loving Devotion"

DESERET NEWS
By Jason Swensen

"Krishna as Venugopala with Radha" was sculpted in Bengal, India. (Jason Swensen)

UTAH---Folks visiting BYU’s Museum of Art for the first time may be a bit surprised to discover a colorful exhibition dedicated to artwork celebrating the images of Hindu deities Vishnu and Krishna. The museum, after all, is one of the familiar anchors of the Church-owned university. But regular visitors here will recognize the recently opened Hindu exhibition — dubbed “Loving Devotion” — as a continuation of several shows designed to consider one’s relationship with his or her Creator. But in each exhibition is found a universal message recognized immediately by believing Latter-day Saints — the central role that an omnipotent God plays in the lives of His followers. Art, in its many forms, is merely a vehicle used by devotees to celebrate their sacred connection to their Creator. [link]

BYU Museum of Art: “Loving Devotion” (Ends March 21, 2015); 500 Campus Dr, Provo, UT; (801) 422-8287; moa.byu.edu

Arab Film Festival Announces 14-Day Run in San Francisco this October

THE ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB 

Cherien Dabis and Alia Shawkat in MAY IN THE SUMMER

CALIFORNIA---The 18th Annual Arab Film Festival (AFF) has announced its highly-anticipated Opening Night selection. AFF will kick off on October 10 in San Francisco with the premiere of Director Cherien Dabis' "May in the Summer." The film "May" is based on a celebrated book which charts the wedding conflicts which erupt between a born-again Christian mother who disapproves of her daughter marrying a Muslim. AFF is the largest showcase of Arab films and filmmakers, and AFF 2014 will feature more than 50 films from over 20 countries. The 14-day Festival will wrap with a Closing Night Ceremony, presenting filmmakers an opportunity to earn distinctions in the following categories: Best Film (Narrative), Best Film (Documentary), Best Short Film, Best First Film, and Audience Award.

UK Art Show Creates Space for Dialogue in Times of Conflict

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS NEWS 
By TAHLIB

UNITED KINGDOM---As international tensions affect relations between communities around the world, an arts program in London is bringing people from different backgrounds together. London-based Three Faiths Forum (3ff) created a coalition of religious and secular groups to produce "Urban Dialogues: Navigations" a three-week exhibition and program of talks, performances, and workshops to give audiences the chance to explore what it means to live together in a culturally diverse society. The exhibition at The Red Gallery, explores faith, belief, migration and personal identity, and is curated by artist and curator Barby Asante. The program began on September 3rd and runs through the 21st. For more information, visit www.urbandialogues.org.

Interfaith Arts Caravan Coming to National Cathedral on September 4th

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS NEWS
By TAHLIB

One of the fiberglass sculptures created by Reda Abdel Rahman

WASHINGTON, DC---The international interfaith arts exhibit "AMEN: A Prayer for the World" premieres in the US on September 4 at the Washington National Cathedral. The exhibition and program are organized by CARAVAN, based in the UK, and features sculpted figures by Egyptian artist Reda Abdel Rahman, in four poses of prayer that symbolize human diversity, community, and the many forms prayer can take. Other participating artists decorated the life-sized fiberglass sculptures. Twenty-five donkeys, painted by Egyptian and UK artists were previously on display in London. These figures join 18 figures painted by Western artists for a joint exhibition at Washington National Cathedral; all 48 figures then continue to St. John the Divine in New York City. Learn more at www.nationalcathedral.org or www.oncaravan.org.

Blake Prize for Religious Art - Call for Artists Closes August 29 in Australia

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS NEWS

AUSTRALIA---The deadline for entries to the 2014 Blake Art Prize closes on Friday 29 August and there's a total of $35,000 to be won, so get your entry in this week.  This year's judges are the Director of Artspace, Alexie Glass-Kantor, noted artist, Anne Ferran, and University of Sydney theologian, Dr Alex Norman. Finalists in the 2014 Blake Art Prize will be exhibited at Galleries UNSW, College of Fine Arts, in Sydney's leafy Paddington and works selected for the touring exhibition will be exhibited in locations around Australia. The entry form can be downloaded by clicking here. There are more details here, and if you have more questions, please contact the Blake Society at info@blakeprize.com.au. [More]

Obama Nominates First Non-Christian to Lead Religious Freedom Initiative

RELIGION DISPATCHES
By Peter Montgomery

“O. C. Blue Amulet” (2009) by Yona Verwer; print 16” x 20"

S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced yesterday (Monday) that President Barack Obama is nominating the first non-Christian, Rabbi David Saperstein, to the post of ambassador for international religious freedom. Saperstein has served as head of the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism for more than 30 years, been a member of the advisory council for the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and teaches First Amendment and Jewish law at Georgetown Law school. In his remarks on Saperstein’s religious freedom pedigree, Kerry called him “the gold standard,” pointing to his work “across faith lines,” with “women of faith networks,” and with “American Muslim communities.” [link]

Pittsburgh Art Exhibit Canceled After Palestinian Artists Threatened, Pull Out

JTA | JEWISH NEWS SOURCE

A woman hold a Palestinian flag during a protest to show solidarity with Palestinians. Photo by Reuters / Haaretz Archive

PENNSYLVANIA---An art exhibition in Pittsburgh featuring the work of Israeli, Palestinian and American artists was canceled after the Palestinian artists withdrew from the show. “Sites of Passage: Borders, Walls & Citizenship,” scheduled to run at Pittsburgh’s Mattress Factory museum from June 1 to July 27, was the culmination of a joint multimedia project begun a year ago by the artists, the Jewish Chronicle reported. The Palestinian artists pulled out of the show on May 29, a day after the Israeli artists had canceled their participation in order to allow the Palestinians to continue participating and to protect them from threats and criticism on an Arabic-language Facebook page, Tavia La Follette, the independent curator of the exhibit, told the newspaper. [link]

Bill Viola Unveils Major New Installation At St Paul's Cathedral

ARTLYST

Martyrs is located behind the High Altar of the Cathedral next to the American Memorial Chapel

UNITED KINGDOM---Bill Viola has unveiled a major new installation At St Paul's Cathedral in London. Martyrs, has taken ten years to realise and is the first of two large-scale permanent video installations created by this internationally acclaimed artist. The was inaugurated in St Paul’s Cathedral on 21 May 2014. The installation is the first moving-image artwork to be installed in a British cathedral or church on a long-term basis. Martyrs, is joined in 2015 by a second piece entitled Mary, which the artist has conceived as a companion work. Although installed in an Anglican cathedral, the works will engage with a multi-national, multi-denominational audience, in keeping with a spiritual environment that attracts millions of people of all faiths. [link]

Sacred Web Conference Contemplates the Importance of Religion in a Secular Age

THE VANCOUVER OBSERVER

CANADA---"When we lose sight of the sacred, we can't see each other but as dust," said Vancouver-based trial lawyer and writer M. Ali Lakhani, at the Sacred Web conference in the Segal Building on Granville Street. He spoke of a haunting remark made by a survivor of 9-11, who said: 'We were as dust in their (the terrorists') eyes." In addition to the rise of Islamophobia and the release of best-selling books such as The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, The End of Faith and Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris, he said there were corrosive influences within religion itself. Sadly, he said, there were "homogenizers" and "fundamentalists" who imposed their views on others and attacked anyone who didn't conform to their beliefs, as well as "diluters" who adapted their chosen religion to suit their personal whims. "The homogenizers and diluters feed off each other, and lost in all this is the centre -- what is the sacred?" [link]

10th Biennial Liturgical Arts Festival’s Juried Art Exhibit Opened Saturday at the Springfield Art Association

THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER

By Steven Spearie

“Mary, Christ and St. John the Baptist,” created by Springfield’s Paul Jergens, is part of the
Liturgical Arts Festival’s juried art exhibit that opens Saturday at the Springfield Art Association.

ILLINOIS---Reflecting on the history of the Liturgical Arts Festival of Springfield, Thom Dennis recalls the 1995 suspicious fire that claimed the Islamic Center of Greater Springfield’s masjid in an unincorporated area of the city. “One of the (Jewish) temples was the first to respond to the community’s needs at the time,” Dennis recalls. “That same spirit helped to foster the festival, the idea of working together on common values.” Dennis’ idea is still being celebrated in the 10th biennial event that kicks off Saturday with a hands-on creative workshop at Westminster Presbyterian Church, and with the Liturgical and Sacred Art exhibit at the Springfield Art Association. [link]

Sacred Art Exhibit at Lutheran Church Transcends Religious Boundaries

GREENPOINT GAZETTE 
by Tanay Warerkar

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NEW YORK---It was a religious-themed art exhibit, but one that transcended all religious boundaries. Which is just what Pastor Amy Kienzle, of Russell Street’s Lutheran Church of the Messiah, wanted it to be, when she opened the church’s doors to a “sacred art exhibit,” Via Delarosa: Meditation on Morality. The Church invited local artists both religious and non-religious to create paintings, sculpture, and multimedia artwork inspired by The Stations of the Cross – a series of artistic representations depicting Jesus Christ carrying the cross to his crucifixion. [link]