AH 318 A: The Church and Caclysm - instructor's introduction

AH318A: Selected Topics in Art History: The Church and Cataclysm

Section I - establishing norms for sacred art

Introduction and initial project
1. Introduction, syllabus, terms & conditions
2. "Preface" exercise, and discuss results/findings
3. Examine assumptions & issues concerning spirituality, its reality & importance
Read Sacred Art - Basic Issues: in folder or bookmarked section
(Anatomy of Beauty; Appearance of Beauty; Theophilus, St Bernard, Council of Trent, St Sulpice Art)
Journal priorities and blind spots
Research skills, sacred art and value systems
1. Research bibliographies
2. In-class research project & discussion of results/findings
3. Addressing issues raised in Reading Assignment
Read 4 extracts in folder or bookmarked section
(Pope's 1999 letter, Brewster Conversation, Stroik on Modern Church Archictecture; Sweet on PostMod church architecture)
Journal priorities and blind spots; which denomination will dominate memorial production?
Sacred art and value systems in practice
Assumptions, architects, artists, and studios examined in light of Readings and Journal
1. Hoelzeman, Inspired Artisans & Katarxis
2. Giacometti, Buddha
3. Bartning & Liturgical Movement, Ando
4. Wrap-up Discussion: functions and stimuli of conservatism & innovation
Assignment - 2nd iteration of research bibliography, and
Journal this research experience and initial prospects
Read O'Meara, in Spirituality Today (print-out in folder and bookmarked)

Section II - Post Trauma sacred art

Class Deferred
Post War Church Projects (Was Week 4)
1. Discussion of research experience and findings
2. Couturier
3. Assy
Assignment - 3rd iteration of research bibliography, and
Journal initial take on the state of the field (focal entry)
Redirect?
Post War Replacements (Was Week 5) Modified, 30th September, 2002
1. Discussion: connect & compare theory and actuality at Assy carried over from last week
2. Discussion of state of research
3. In-class group research: Raincy, Le Havre; Couturier's other projects
4. Hiroshima check links in own time if necessary
Journal: complete state of research in light of these pieces and the social and academic response to them (focal entry).
Read The Heritage of the Great War (explore site, examine photos, and
Read memoirs)
Redirect?
Trauma context: (Was Week 6)
1. Discussion: review memorial approaches & themes & social & academic responses
2. The Battle of Bulge (video), Hiroshima (photos, memoirs), Aberfan (collected items)
3. Discussion or private meditation
4. In-class writing on human cost - also comment on God in this connection
Read Aberfan collection; Aftermath essay(s) (bookmarked & in folder)
Church Memorial Projects (1) Modified 27th October, 2002 (Week 7)
1. Discussion of appropriate or adequate response approaches to cataclysm
2. Coventry; Urakami
Journal 2 artist's response to commissions known/inferred; availability of this info
Read Michelle Fry's essay, & Aftermath essays (in folder or bookmarked)
Redirect?
Church Memorial Projects (2), and
Civic Memorial Projects Modified 27th October, 2002 (Weeks 8 & 9 combined)
1. Berlin (1); Berlin (2); Dachau
2. Pestkreuz, Eisenheim; Mompesson's Well; plague chapels, crosses and columns
3. The Parthenon
4. Wrap-up Discussion: how is spiritual suffering addressed in units 4-8 material?
5. Discussion of Church's and artists' responses
6. Nagasaki & Hiroshima memorial parks
7. World War memorials; Washington Vietnam memorial; New England Holocaust memorial
8. Discussion: sacred vs secular responses
Read 2nd Vat Council extract (in folder and bookmarked)
Journal 1 characterise nature and adequacy of the Church's cataclysm-responses
and/or
Journal isolate & account for unique element(s) in Pope Paul XXIII's remit
Redirect?

Section III - Human issues & response to trauma

Personal Memorial Responses (Back on Track!)
1. Discussion: review civic & sacred memorial approaches; locate Vatican II
2. In-class Journal discussion summary
3. Independent artistic projects
  (e.g. Guernica, Legacy Project, Quilts, Galas, Chicago Vietnam Memorial Museum)
Assignment prepare talk on chosen artist
Redirect? - will you need consultations?
The Artists and Their Commissions
class presentations
The Artists and Their Commissions
class presentations
Read review Aberfan, Couturier, and Stroik
Read von Balthasar exerpt on beauty (in folder); Built of Living Stones excerpts (in folder)
Examining the Response
Discussion:
1. review artist's & academics' response quotes/info
2. research bib evidence of degree & kind of academic interest
3. artists & academics vs theologians on quality & credibility
4. wrap-up - isolate & evaluate issues
Read Post disaster Ritual (printed or bookmarked)
Read Memorialising the Unspeakable (in folder)
Journal account for academic stance(s) on Church memorial art; take a position yourself

Section IV - Aftermath

Meaning and Purpose; America's Memorial Needs
1. Discussion: attack, defend or propose validities in Church memorial art
2. Expand findings
  (sacred vs secular patterns, implicit meanings, functions, context; resolutions; propose additional issues or resolutions)
3. WTC & Pentagon Memorial projects & competition
4. Discussion: locate 9/11 in historic trauma response continuum
Journal summarise or readdress today's issues; or
suggest possibilities or proposal for Pentagon Memorial in light of course issues
Conclusions
1. Discussion: all cataclysm is personal in its impact. How do civic and Church memorial responses address that personal impact? Is there any aspect of the Church's response that could work in civic contexts? Does the history of religious cataclysmic art merit academic attention?
2. Complete & submit outstanding assignments

MIAD's Course Introduction

Criteria for Evaluation

Instructor's Introduction

Course Calendar

Readings