The Grand Marais Art Colony and Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal church are collaborating on an exhibit of the Stations of the Cross to open at the Art Colony March 21 through April 4, 2010. Artists are invited to sign up to express one of the fourteen Stations of the Cross in some artistic medium: paint, clay, sculpture, collage, print, poetry, photography, mixed media, paper, fiber, textile or other.
Just as many biblical stories have been explored by artists for centuries—the annunciation, the crucifixion, the prodigal son—so the Stations of the Cross have been much explored in the world of western art. In Medieval Europe, some couldn’t make the big pilgrimage to Rome or Jerusalem, so they would make a symbolic trip around a cathedral, pausing to ponder each of fourteen stations—portrayals of Christ’s last day. Although the stations are loosely based on the biblical narrative of Jesus’ journey to the cross, some rely on legend. Often in churches they take a traditional (sometimes gruesome) form, but they have often been adapted.
This exhibit is an exploration of biblical themes in contemporary art and is a representation of how our community expresses a traditional theme in a local context.
Whether we call ourselves religious or not, biblical stories and characters gather in our consciousness. Because they function beyond literality, at a symbolic level, they can be re-expressed by artists in different times and places, giving us new ways of seeing old truths and even ourselves.
Submissions are needed by March. If you have questions, or would like to submit an idea for one of the stations, contact Amy at the Art Colony at (218) 387-2737 or Mary Ellen at (218) 387- 1536 or windcradle@boreal.org.
Mary Ellen adds, “And we invite the community—whether or not you are part of a faith tradition—to include the Stations exhibit in your late Lent, Holy Week plans.”
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