Library of Ideas
Library of ART & the Consecrated Space
Welcome to the FBA online Library of Ideas resource section.
Here you can find an expanding resource of PDF downloads and web links to writing on the subjects of art & theology, church arts history, consecration…
If you have some suggested reading or writing, please bring it to our awareness via the contact page.
Inspirational:
Letter of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to Artists, 1999 [web link]
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Truth, Beauty and Sacred Art (2500-2503), 1997 [web link]
Pope Paul VI’s Address to Artists, 1965 [web link]
Pope Pius XII's Address to Artists, 1952 [web link]
The Artist as Image of God as Creator. Rev John Riccardo [web link]
N.T. Wright On Art & Mission [web link VIDEO]
Notes and Articles on Consecrated Space:
Abbot Suger: On The Abby Church of Saint–Denis. 1140–44 [PDF download]
(note: an excellent recount of the making of St. Denis, copyright 1987 The Medieval Academy of America)
Art History:
The Passion of Picasso by Ronald Goetz : The violence, the lust, the despair and finally the darkness of Picasso's art reflect the passion he finds in himself. A bit of art history plus the consideration of the secular arts via Picasso
Church Architecture History:
Church Architecture History Wikipedia [web link]
Sacred Architecture Wikipedia [web link]
Religious Architecture w/sub-categories Wikipedia [web link]
Resource of Religious Architecture (modern mostly) [web link]
The Evolution of Gothic Architecture (article) [web link]
Church Art History
Evolution of the Crucifix
Historical depictions of Christ
Imagining Christ (Ghetty) [web link]
CHRIST, ART, AND THE SECOND COMMANDMENT (copyright Kennith L. Gentry, Jr. Th.D. not for reprinting) [PDF download]
Imitations of Christ
It's one thing to say that Jesus changed the world. But how can something so monumental be captured in a work of art? Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams on an enduring challenge ~ Rowan Williams [web link]
Humanities and Religion
Art's Extended Adolescence; Awaiting a Homecoming
Benedict XVI Calls Artists Back to Dialogue [web link]
All images copyright jeff lefever 2003-2010
Books On The Table
The Separation of Church & Faith V.1
Copernicus and The Jews
Daniel Gruber examines historical Christianity in light of a "system" to which Christianity ascribes its model, and that it is not unlike the cosmological system of earth–centricity prior to Copernicus.
In his book "...Copernicus and the Jews" Gruber points to some inconsistencies in meaning from translations & transliteration, from Hebrew to Greek (classic Greek compared to original "Jewish–Greek") and essentially the failure to pass Hebraic concepts over into Greco Roman understanding, and from there, into Western Capitalist Culture. We think this is worthy of thought and discussion.
Why is this important reading to an organization about the arts and consecrated space…? Because the arts show intention, as does the act of consecration and they both represent beliefs and influence action. The visual arts are powerful. We advocate responsibility. Could this also be why visual images were prohibited? Much to discuss . . .
Visit the library and the blog to read further ideas based on Daniel Gruber's writing. Let us know your thoughts.
