Comments on: Orthodoxy and culture: what is the fullness of the arts? http://www.hitchhikersguide.org/2008/02/27/orthodoxy-and-culture-what-is-the-fullness-of-the-arts/ the journey forward to the ancient roots of our faith Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:18:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Erik http://www.hitchhikersguide.org/2008/02/27/orthodoxy-and-culture-what-is-the-fullness-of-the-arts/#comment-36 Erik Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:23:33 +0000 http://www.hitchhikersguide.org/2008/02/27/orthodoxy-and-culture-what-is-the-fullness-of-the-arts/#comment-36 I came across John Taverner while reading. British Russian Orthodox composer. thought I should say so maybe? the bits I've heard are very nice (though apparently wikipedia tells me he's been experimenting with some not-so-orthodoxy, but I'm not sure how much of that is true/rumor/relevant) I came across John Taverner while reading. British Russian Orthodox composer. thought I should say so maybe? the bits I’ve heard are very nice (though apparently wikipedia tells me he’s been experimenting with some not-so-orthodoxy, but I’m not sure how much of that is true/rumor/relevant)

]]> By: Erik http://www.hitchhikersguide.org/2008/02/27/orthodoxy-and-culture-what-is-the-fullness-of-the-arts/#comment-29 Erik Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:03:03 +0000 http://www.hitchhikersguide.org/2008/02/27/orthodoxy-and-culture-what-is-the-fullness-of-the-arts/#comment-29 yeah, I can sympathize with that. I know I've been significantly less artistically productive recently, but I think it's important to get some grounding for art. Though I would say, you should still be able to find inspiration that's not explicitly Orthodox, so long as you are, you can bring the Orthodoxy to it (maybe?) yeah, I can sympathize with that.
I know I’ve been significantly less artistically productive recently, but I think it’s important to get some grounding for art.

Though I would say, you should still be able to find inspiration that’s not explicitly Orthodox, so long as you are, you can bring the Orthodoxy to it (maybe?)

]]> By: Michael http://www.hitchhikersguide.org/2008/02/27/orthodoxy-and-culture-what-is-the-fullness-of-the-arts/#comment-28 Michael Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:37:11 +0000 http://www.hitchhikersguide.org/2008/02/27/orthodoxy-and-culture-what-is-the-fullness-of-the-arts/#comment-28 Sure. And I hope to some day help establish or contribute to the larger collection of Orthodox-influenced art, and God willing be able to produce works on the level of Rachmaninov and other well-established artists. But the weight of my frustration comes from having very little by way of inspiration, apart from examples that are well over a hundred years old. With no contemporaries to look to, I feel more like a pioneer and out there "on my own". And what makes it particularly complicated is just starting out on this journey in Orthodoxy; I'm still learning the doctrine, the standards, the traditions, etc. Things aren't as cut and dry as I might wish they'd be. Sure. And I hope to some day help establish or contribute to the larger collection of Orthodox-influenced art, and God willing be able to produce works on the level of Rachmaninov and other well-established artists.

But the weight of my frustration comes from having very little by way of inspiration, apart from examples that are well over a hundred years old. With no contemporaries to look to, I feel more like a pioneer and out there “on my own”. And what makes it particularly complicated is just starting out on this journey in Orthodoxy; I’m still learning the doctrine, the standards, the traditions, etc. Things aren’t as cut and dry as I might wish they’d be.

]]> By: Erik http://www.hitchhikersguide.org/2008/02/27/orthodoxy-and-culture-what-is-the-fullness-of-the-arts/#comment-27 Erik Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:48:56 +0000 http://www.hitchhikersguide.org/2008/02/27/orthodoxy-and-culture-what-is-the-fullness-of-the-arts/#comment-27 I think a lot of the problem is probably difficulty with art filtering through cultural boundaries. Since, American Orthodoxy is still sort of amorphous in a lot of ways Orthodox artistic identity hasn't really been able to flourish much here. I'd imagine the same difficulty isn't necessarily as present in Russia or Greece (I'd imagine Antioch and Constantinople have their own difficulties with orthodox artistic expression). But there's nothing to say that you as Orthodox couldn't produce fruitful Orthodox art, nor is there really anything which should preclude you from finding Godly expression in non-Orthodox art (as we see quite a few of the church fathers were big on Classical literature.) I think a lot of the problem is probably difficulty with art filtering through cultural boundaries. Since, American Orthodoxy is still sort of amorphous in a lot of ways Orthodox artistic identity hasn’t really been able to flourish much here. I’d imagine the same difficulty isn’t necessarily as present in Russia or Greece (I’d imagine Antioch and Constantinople have their own difficulties with orthodox artistic expression).

But there’s nothing to say that you as Orthodox couldn’t produce fruitful Orthodox art, nor is there really anything which should preclude you from finding Godly expression in non-Orthodox art (as we see quite a few of the church fathers were big on Classical literature.)

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