Authentic vs. Original

Lenten Reflection

Here we have another Craigie Aitchison crucifixion from 1964. I find this portrayal with the additional two spectre-like figures and washed out or muted color to be particularly haunting. Aitchison considered the crucifixion story of Jesus Christ to be the most "horrific story [he'd] ever heard." I've heard the story and experienced the Church season of Lent and Easter since I was on my mother's teat. As a result it lost it's horrific-ness for me a long time ago, if ever I experienced it. But I find Aitchison's portrayals powerful because he doesn't go gory or retell in realistic detail all the blood and the pain. Yet, his minimalism and spareness take me straight into the loneliness and agony Jesus must have felt on the cross. For someone like me who tends to be removed from her emotions, I appreciate Aitchison's ability to move me on a visceral level through his use of color and form. I want to feel the cross not just think about it. I want to be awakened to my very real need for a Savior who would voluntarily go to his death out of love for me.

LENT -Craigie Aitchison - Pink Crucifixion

Part of my lenten practice this season is meditating on the crucifixion of Christ. I feel the distance between me and this historical, spiritual event that changed the world. I'm hoping that by meditating on various representations of crucifixions this season I'll enter into the pain and suffering of Christ a bit more than I'm used to. I tend to focus on Jesus' divinity at the expense of his humanity. But if I forget his humanity I forget the power his life, death, and resurrection has for me. I want to be mindful of my need to go through the cross with Jesus instead of around it for all the crap in my life. The further I get away from the cross, the further away I am from seeing my need and getting help to be free of all the pettiness, jealousy, anger, envy, self-righteousness, self-reliance (and the list could go on) that is manifest in my life. All I know is that I need Jesus if I'm to have life abundant.

Art & Noodles

On our way to the Culver City art galleries.

Steve had been to the Saturday night art openings and came back raving about the Brian Wils show at Nye & Brown. With an open Thursday, we trekked to the west side so I could see it too. I was not disappointed. Gorgeous works of art made with thread. Though Wils work isn't religious in the least, I thought his crosses would be perfect in a church especially his largest cross, which I don't have pictured here. They would make a beautiful backdrop to an altar. If we had the money, I'd have snapped up one of the smaller crosses. As it is they're only $1800 each.

Then it was on to Santouka, our favorite noodle joint, for a rich tasty bowl of shio ramen and premium pork. A fantastic family afternoon outing.