Putting Art (Back) in Its Place

Description

Most Christians today view art from a distance: Do not touch! In frames and galleries, art is walled off from the rest of life. Yet for a long time, artwork assisted communities in performing actions that defined their corporate work and identity (their liturgies). The whole body of Christ played a part in the creation and use of art that said: Touch me and see! In order for Christians to foster a vibrant culture of the arts, we must restore and cultivate active and respectful relationships among artists, patrons, scholars, communities and the art they create. Putting Art (Back) in its Place equips laity and clergy to think historically about the vibrant role the visual arts have played ― and could again play ― in the life of the church and its mission.