In this conversation, Mako Fujimura, an abstract expressionist artist and a bridge between art and faith, shares his unique journey. He delves into 'slow art' and the deep emotional process behind traditional Japanese Nihonga painting, emphasizing the importance of taking time in creative expression. Mako reflects on Kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery, symbolizing beauty in imperfection. He also addresses the dialogues between faith and personal struggles, advocating for empathy and connection in both art and community.
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insights INSIGHT
Nihonga: Capturing Time
Mako Fujimura uses traditional Japanese Nihonga painting techniques, involving many layers and slow drying times.
This meditative process allows the pigments to settle and change over time, capturing time within the artwork itself.
insights INSIGHT
Digital Limitations in Art Perception
Digital photos often fail to capture the depth and nuances of Fujimura's art due to its layered, reflective qualities.
This highlights the limitations of digital technology in perceiving certain kinds of beauty.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Meditative Viewing
Lee Camp describes a meditative experience while viewing Fujimura's painting, noticing details emerge with prolonged observation.
This reinforces Fujimura's intention for viewers to engage slowly with his work.
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In this book, Hunter defines a cultural conflict as 'political and social hostility rooted in different systems of moral understanding.' He argues that the culture war in America revolves around different worldviews and fundamental assumptions about how to order lives, both individually and collectively. The book explores key battlegrounds such as the family, education, media, law, and electoral politics, and how these areas reflect a broader struggle over national identity and moral values. Hunter also discusses how inflammatory rhetoric and the polarization of society can lead to hardened positions and social fragmentation[1][4][5].
Silence
Albrecht Selge
Art and Faith
N. T. Wright
Makoto Fujimura
Makoto Fujimura's "Art and Faith: A Theology of Making" explores the intersection of art and faith, challenging the common separation between the two. Fujimura draws on his own experiences as an artist and his Christian faith to argue for a deeper integration. The book delves into the nature of creativity, the role of beauty, and the significance of making in reflecting God's image. It examines various artistic traditions and their theological implications, offering a rich and insightful perspective. Ultimately, the book encourages readers to consider the spiritual dimensions of their creative endeavors.
Makoto Fujimura occupies an unusual intersection of personal realities: He is an abstract expressionist artist who discovered his Christian faith as an art student in Japan. He continually finds himself trying to bridge the divide between religion and art. “I can't really talk about my faith with my artist friends, and I can't talk about art with my Christian friends,” he says. “But for me, it's never been that way.” In this episode, he talks about how he uses traditional Japanese methods of painting — “slow art,” as he calls it — to explore grief, brokenness, and healing.
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No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp 
