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| The Creation of Adam Michelangelo Source: http://allart.biz/up/photos/album/M_N/Michelangelo/michelangelo_1_creation_of_adam.jpg |
"In this bestowing of life on self and world, the artist uncovers the generative love that is at the centre of holiness. There is no 'godlikeness' without such bestowal, such 'imagining' into life." -Rowan Williams, 167
One of my favorite images in the Bible is the description of how the first human was created, with God forming man from dust and breathing life into him (Genesis 2:7). Certainly, it's a powerful image, and one that artists have explored for centuries, a well-known example being Michelangelo's painting of it on the Sistine Chapel (shown above). The idea of God's relationship to us as his creation and the way artists explore this type of relationship is discussed in the last section of Rowan Williams' Grace and Necessity. In particular, Williams examines the multiple levels of love that are inherent in creation, from God's love for the world and its inhabitants to an artist's love for the work she constructs. Though the love an artist has for her work doesn't fully encompass the idea of God's love, the act of bringing something valuable into existence sheds light on the sacredness and love held in this process. In making something, we are connected to our maker.
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| A sketch of God holding Adam and Eve. I like to imagine God was excited about what he had made. |
The relationship an artist has with what she creates is certainly an interesting one. To begin with, though the artist typically has some idea of how she wants the piece to go, part of the process involves letting the piece develop its own life. Williams mentions on page 161 that "... it is possible to trivialize or corrupt the labour of making by trying to force what is made into conformity with some supposed inner concept of the work..." In other words, if an artist tries to force a concept onto a work, it will not result in good quality art. Some parallels could be drawn between the idea of art being able to take its own shape and the concept of free-will in humans. The basic idea of this concept is that God gave the humans he made the choice to either choose him or not choose him. We have a measure of control in our fate. Something that is essential to any form of love is choice. As author Richard Bach said, "If you love someone, set them free; if they come back, they're yours; if they don't, they never were." If one thinks about this quote as applied to a created work, it could be said that, in order to love something one has made, one has to allow it to choose it's own path. The connection between choice and love is something that unites generative acts, whether it be on a large or small scale.
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| One's actions are more significant if one is allowed to choose his own path... Source: http://academic.depauw.edu/aevans_web/HONR101-02/WebPages/Spring2005/Alex/homepage /graphics/shades.jpg |
On the other hand, there are certainly differences between the love an artist has for her work and the love God has for humanity. One difference that Williams discusses is how making a work of art can be a form of self-love for the artist. On page 162, he states, "...this love [of an artist for her work] is always inextricably connected with self-love, since it is a form of self discovery." The work that one creates and the motivations one has for embarking on a particular project reveal one's values and perceptions on life, be it the struggles one encounters, what she finds important, or simply one's aesthetic preference. In contrast, God knows all, and thus has no need for self-discovery. This enhances the mystery of why God chose to create, as the universe is not necessary for his fulfillment. And yet, regardless of this, he believed that it was worthwhile to bring things into being. Though it is not completely understandable, God's decision to create and his willingness to let his creation choose shows the depth of his love. Such a love is likewise illustrated in the creative act of the artist. It may not be a perfect analogy, but the process allows one to explore the sacredness of creation nonetheless.
Sources:
Bible verse (Genesis 2:7): http://biblehub.com/genesis/2-7.htm
Richard Bach quote: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/richardbac136009.html
You have some very good insights here. It is curious this notion of love and creating; that part of being a creator is setting something free as an independent unit. I know I have difficulty doing that as an artist! But as Williams points out, that freedom per-say is what helps something be good and quality art. Very nice job weaving Williams quotes and giving clarity and insight throughout your post. I can tell you are "getting it."
ReplyDeleteYou make a fun cultural reference with your image from the Matrix, but it is a very good example of free will. I do like the last quote you use of Williams about art being about self love because it is about self discovery. There is something about loving oneself that comes out in the art, and giving one grace as maybe I discover through the work things I didn't know were there. This concept is interesting too regarding God in that creation didn't involve self discovery for God as he already was aware of everything.
Did you do the drawing? I like the delight on God's face. Good job here.
I think the complexity of our relationship with our art and the relationship that God has with His Creation has some wonderful parallel and I enjoy how you brought them out and tell both sides of the story. I think it's still a difficult concept to me as to how we can let our art have a will and that we can "let it free" or that it can choose its own path. That all still confuses me and that might be because I'm a designer or it might be because I'm just not there yet or "getting it" but I hope to soon.
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