Category — Pistic

I work as a designer and a musician. I have been doing design work for almost ten years, and playing the drums since I was eight. As a Christian I have often struggled to understand how my work should be understood. Why the struggle? The Nature-Grace ground motive which inhabits much of Western protestantism has been a major hurdle, and still is to this day. The idea that the aesthetic aspect of life needs justification is one sign of this continual tension that exists in the hearts of Christians. Herman Dooyeweerd has been of great help to me in clarifying the “meaning” of “being” and as such the place of my work in the world. 

These are some first thoughts on the arts using Dooyeweerd’s fifteen modal aspects as a constructive basis. It seems the primary modal aspect is the aesthetic, the kernel of which is harmony. I am not so concerned with what might be called “high art” as much as I am with aesthetic expression. Besides, “high art” is misleading. The Japanese have a philosophical notion called Wabi-Sabi that blows the high-browed moderns’ idea of “high art” out of the water, and rightly so. Art is not a category for experts or pundits, neither is it simply a spectator discipline, as we are all engaged in aesthetic endeavors everyday- doing the dishes has an aesthetic aspect to it. As with every other aspect of our existence, we are always engaged to one degree or another in all of them. Here, I want to focus a bit tighter on the subject of artistic works and the vocation of one who is engaged in this sort of creative process more intensely. But, I think the following applies to any and all artistic endeavors. 

Creedal/pistic aspect:
1. An artistic work is an offering of service to God.
2. Art is a reflection of the creator, who is made in the image of the Creator.
3. Art as a process is delightful and “good”.
4. Art is the re-creative or analogical reflection of the work of the Creator.
5. Art is the hymn book of the individual and the broader society of men. 

Ethical aspect (self-giving love):
1. Seek a holistic perspective, embracing the aesthetic works of all men, as created in God’s image.
2. Artistic works and the enjoyment of them is reflection of God’s delight in His creation- in beauty and goodness.
3. What constitutes “bad” art? Perhaps, badly executed? Or, art that denies the creational reality of men as well as all things?
4. We need to learn to discern the wheat from the chaff and seek to see something “good” in every work, although it might proceed from a non-C-F-R ground motive. Common grace extends to all men. Is there any art that is altogether “wrong”?
5. What part does personal taste play in judgment? What is adiaphra?
6. What part does style play?
7. Art is for others to enjoy as much as the artist.
8. Love is demonstrated in the act of an artistic production. It is a means of giving to another. “Here, this is for you”.
9. Art can be used as a weapon or tool of subterfuge, both for good and evil ends.
10. Artists need to be aware of legal issues surrounding copyright and ownership, plagiarism and authenticity. 

Juridical aspect (what is due):
As an artist
1. Given the public nature of art, seek to build up a social atmosphere of contentment, celebration, peace and harmony.
2. Give back to those who support you. Engender a thankful and welcoming spirit towards those whom receive your work.
3. Give thanks and praise to God for the gifts He has bestowed upon you.
4. Pay musicians and other in your hire a living wage.
As an art lover
1. Pay for the artists’ work.
2. Support local, national and international artists.
3. Encourage and support live performance (small and large scale). 

Coming next… the Aesthetic and Economic aspects