Government Shutdown: What It Means for the Arts

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

PHILANTHROPY---October is National Arts and Humanities Month and how does the federal government celebrate? By closing the doors of federally funded museums, parks, zoos and delaying the distribution of NEA grants that enrich our communities. At midnight Monday night, big swaths of the federal government closed shop after Congress failed to reach a deal to keep the money flowing. Arts leaders are bemoaning the political dysfunction that led to today’s government shutdown, saying it has left the nation’s most vulnerable behind. "Today is only a snapshot of what the 49% cut to the NEA could mean for our communities," said Nina Ozlu Tunceli, Executive Director, Americans for the Arts Action Fund. While Alpha Omega Arts accepts no government funding (or religious funding), we invite our supporters to sign the petitition to fully restore full government support for arts and arts education. [Sign Here]

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‘Art Under Attack,’ at Tate Britain, Explores Motives of Vandalism

THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Tom Rachman

UNITED KINGDOM---Galleries generally prefer not to discuss attacks on artworks for fear of provoking more of them. Besides, some reason, what is there to gain by dwelling on vandalism? Surely, these crimes are the antithesis of art — the culprits must be brutish or deranged. But a new exhibition opening on Wednesday at Tate Britain makes a forceful counterclaim: that certain assaults contain meaning and even insights into history and art. To advance that argument, “Art Under Attack: Histories of British Iconoclasm,” which runs through Jan. 5, presents butchered paintings, decapitated sculptures and other damaged works in a survey of centuries of art vandalism. [link]

“Dead Christ,” damaged in the 16th century.

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Buddhist Monks Visit South Dakota For Ancient Art Demonstration

KDLT NEWS

SOUTH DAKOTA---A group of Tibetan Monks are sending a message through some very detailed artwork at the University of South Dakota. It is a message of compassion. Six Tibetan monks are spending the week at the University of South Dakota as part of a national tour, creating an ancient Buddhist work of art called a "mandala." The process can sometimes take a month. The monks will destroy the final product on purpose in order to send the ultimate message. "Everything is impermanent, so we are showing some kind of impermanence. Even if you are a beautiful person, beautiful boy, beautiful girl, but in the end it will change," said Lobsang. [link]

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Discovery of an Unknown Painting by Titian Featured in "The Burlington Magazine"

BURLINGTON MAGAZINE

PUBLISHING---The Burlington Magazine is delighted to announce the publication, in its October issue, of "The Risen Christ", a previously unknown work by the great Venetian artist Titian. The painting (oil on canvas, 144 cm. high by 116.5 cm. wide) shows Christ in majesty, triumphing over death, standing on the tomb from which he has risen and silhouetted against a vivid, cloudy sky lit by the morning sun of the Easter day. Titian, who died at a great age, probably in his late eighties in 1576, was the outstanding Venetian painter of his time. [Subscribe]

BBC News - Titian identified as Risen Christ artist

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Archbishop Dolan Calls Pope’s Tone on Sexual Morality a ‘Breath of Fresh Air’

THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Lisa W. Foderaro

NEW YORK---Three days after Pope Francis set a new tone for the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, the archbishop of New York, embraced the “magnificent interview” in which the pope chastised the church for its obsession with sexual morality, and called him “a breath of fresh air.” Last Wednesday, Pope Francis surprised Catholics and non-Catholics alike with the publication of a lengthy interview in which he reprimanded the church for emphasizing dogma and moral doctrines over ministering to its people, including “those who have quit or are indifferent.” He laid out a vision for a more inclusive church as a “home for all” and said the church could not afford to be “obsessed” with same-sex marriage, abortion and contraception. [link]

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INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month: Dan Cooper

"Science, particularly theoretical physics, 
intertwines with my experience and faith." 
~DAN COOPER

By Ernest Disney-Britton

When the Board of Alpha & Omega Project for Contemporary Religious Arts decided to launch an inaugural exhibition featuring works by Hoosiers, Dan Cooper was one of those at the top of the list. There is one Methodist on the board, and he wanted to include a Believer whose work would help to introduce part of the history of that tradition, but to do it in a non-traditional way. Dan's work does just that. Methodists are a denomination that came out of the Protestant Reformation, and is characterized by its emphasis on the average person. I think Dan's work does that well. It's an honor to share his story, and his work as an INSPIRE ME! Artist for 2013.

"Self-protrait" (2013) by Dan Cooper

1.  What is your faith tradition, and how does it impact your art? I was raised a Methodist and, after a long absence and years of studying & practicing spiritual beliefs, became an active member with Castleton United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. My faith has always been an integral part of the story contained in my body of work. Science, particularly theoretical physics, intertwines with my experience and faith. A consistent theme is symbolized using realistic imagery to express abstract concepts.

"Super String Theory" by Dan Cooper

2.  Describe your artwork. What style or genre is it? Acrylic on canvas, sometimes combined with digital, and collaborative art videos are media I love working with. My paintings are not of a particularly named genre. The closest example would be German Romanticism of the early 1800s especially Caspar David Freidrich but with a contemporary flair. Natural Symbolism based on a Midwest sensibility.

"Burn 3: Reflection" (2011) by Dan Cooper

3.  Have you ever had to defend exploring religious ideas? No. This question made me think the longest. I encourage people to talk about their beliefs as they try to figure out what a painting’s story means to them. My art/public relationships have always been positive.

"Spring/Winter" (2012) by Dan Cooper

4.  Who collects your work, and why? People become emotionally attached to a painting and would like to own a painting by me. Some people have learned that when they commission me for a painting they’ll get something special. Private collectors are scattered throughout the country. Paintings in corporate collections are among other fine art and not decorative or commercial works.

"Seasons: Tree" (2012) by Dan Cooper

5.  What "risks" have you taken in creating your work? Just being an artist is a risk. Being yourself and exposing your soul to the world is a risk. I share a message of rebirth, continuous life, infinite possibilities, and universal love. I risk a limited audience for that story, but I have mastered a quality of craftsmanship to at least capture attention long enough to make most viewers think and feel - I hope. Is hoping risky?

"Going Somewhere Else" (2012) by Dan Cooper

6.  What other artists have influenced your work? Art Influences include Joy Cooper, my grandmother who early on encouraged me to create in multiple ways, Pablo Picasso for his genius and continuous growth; Henri Matisse for composition; Marcel Duchamp for philosophy and lifestyle; Maxfield Parrish for color and technique; Caspar David Friedrich for natural symbolism; and Ellie Siskind for friendship and wisdom.

"Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog" (1818) by Caspar David Friedrich

7.  How can A&O readers collect/experience your work? The easiest way to experience my art is to visit http://CooperFineArt.com and https://youtube.com/ArtistDanC otherwise I show in regional juried exhibits and one-person shows locally (Indianapolis). Collecting can start by visiting my site, contacting me, and preparing for an adventure.

"Self -portrait" (2013) by Daneil Cooper

I conclude with a return to the role of the Methodist church in the United States, as the goal for Alpha Omega Arts has always been to strengthen ties with other religious traditions. They are in full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); and in dialogue with the Episcopal Church, according to Wikipedia.  Dan lives in Indianapolis, and I hope you will search him out in your own journey to strengthen ties with other religious traditions through the arts. He can be reached at Dan(at)CooperFineArt.com, and I encourage you to see his work in this November's exhibition at Indiana Interchurch Center, "Alpha & Omega: Religious Risks" (Nov. 1-29, 2013).

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Movie: "Grace Unplugged" Opens in Theaters This Friday!

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS

HOLLYWOOD---Having just turned 18, Grace Trey aspires to more than just singing at her church, where the worship leader is her father—former pop star Johnny Trey. So with the help of Mossy, her dad's former manager, Grace records a cover version of Johnny's old Top-10 hit, runs off to Los Angeles, and begins to taste the kind of stardom she's always dreamed about. Yet with each rung of the ladder she climbs, Grace feels more and more pressure to compromise her values, further straining her relationship with her parents. Will everything she experiences lead her to reject her faith … or rediscover it? See "Grace Unplugged" in theaters beginning October 4. [Trailer]

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