Observer Article: "Defunct WonderCafe site is reborn"

[Pinga]

I think I mentioned this in another thread, but we had a Kitchener artist and art teacher in my family United Church and he did a huge mural for the back of the sanctuary. I wasn't totally enamoured of all of the theology that he reflected in it but the imagery was certainly thought-provoking.

If it is the Kitchener church that I am aware of, I could not imagine being in a sanctuary with that mural behind me. Wowzer. I understand that for some it is good, bu, to me it was kinda scary.

 

[BetteTheRed]

Well, my curiosity is officially piqued. Anyone got a picture of this art?

We have quite a bit of art in our sanctuary; a couple of lovely bas relief wooden pieces (hands, a head of Jesus) carved by a beloved retired minister, 8 'pseudo' stained glass windows - 'pseudo' in that our sanctuary has no windows to the outside, so the windows are artificially lit window boxes. The windows were crafted by a local artist, one window at a time, commissioned by families, groups, the Memorial Fund, with generic themes like "education", "family", etc.

Is all this in the December issue? I don't think I've got mine yet, unless it got buried on the deacon's bench with a pile of other missing things, like the hound's Halti...

 

[Mendalla]

This is the one I'm referring to. It's in St. James Rosemount United in Kitchener.

 

[Mendalla]

This link has the notes and some explanations of the symbolism: http://sjruc.ca/our_home/mural/

 

[crazyheart]

@Mendalla. I really don't like this. Are you sure it is United?

 

[Mendalla]

@Mendalla. I really don't like this. Are you sure it is United?

It is, indeed, CH. I was baptized, confirmed, and married there (though only the latter took place after that mural was painted). I remember when it was painted and dedicated.

 

[Hilary]

If you don't look closely, it's nice enough... but I don't like it much either. Thanks for sharing the link, Mendalla.

 

[Delightful Life]

This is the one I'm referring to. It's in St. James Rosemount United in Kitchener.

what a funny and fun bit of interactive spiritual art

(i like the kid that's bowling back into jesus' womb...)

(and i see that gandalf has glamdring again)

 

[Mendalla]

what a funny and fun bit of interactive spiritual art

(i like the kid that's bowling back into jesus' womb...)

(and i see that gandalf has glamdring again)

I much prefer your interpretation, Inanna, to the one on the site.

 

[Pinga]

Yes, crazyheart, i was a bit shocked the first time I was in the sanctuary.
I was thankful I wasn't the minister having to look at it.

 

[Delightful Life]

I much prefer your interpretation, Inanna, to the one on the site.

heck, it fits in with those who follow being reborn in christ...
or maybe its a christ-kebab, that gets bigger & bigger with each that joins the white-hot skewer?
(or is it a martini sword? mmm, fortified wine...)
and i wonder who is going to win the footrace for the tinkertoy prize?

 

[Mendalla]

Yes, crazyheart, i was a bit shocked the first time I was in the sanctuary.
I was thankful I wasn't the minister having to look at it.

To be honest, the minister who was there at the time likely didn't have a lot of problems with it. He was fairly conservative and if you read up on the symbolism, it suits a more conservative theology. Not sure about his successors since I have had very little contact with that church since Dad left it to become a Lutheran.

 

[chansen]

The scientist or doctor symbolizes the medical profession’s manipulation of life through gene experimentation or abortion. As one looks at the slanted stairs, it would appear man is on very insecure footing as he ventures into areas which are better left to God.
The future man or devil image is higher than Christ. He represents the future and is trying to distract man from reaching his goal. The molecules symbolize the nuclear age or man’s love of materialistic things. The distorted face turning away from God’s light illustrates Satan at work. The cross in the future city represents hope for man. Man will believe in God.

This is in a United church?!?

You guys always surprise me.

 

[Pinga]

yeah, surprises those of us in it sometimes too.

 

[Seeler]

I don't think I would want to attend a church that displayed this 'art?'
It certainly doesn't reflect my theology.

 

[Jaebius]

To be honest, the minister who was there at the time likely didn't have a lot of problems with it. He was fairly conservative and if you read up on the symbolism, it suits a more conservative theology. Not sure about his successors since I have had very little contact with that church since Dad left it to become a Lutheran.

Can you please tell us - if you know - where we might read about the symbolism? Is that available somewhere online? Thanks.

 

[Pinga]

The link was posted above. If you follow it, you will be able to read about the symbolism in the text under the image.

 

[BetteTheRed]

This link has the notes and some explanations of the symbolism: http://sjruc.ca/our_home/mural/

Mendalla linked to it above, Jae. It's not awful theology, it's just orthodox. I couldn't sit with it every week (and I think part of it is that the imagery limits imagination), but I sit with a John Hartman litho in my living room called "Tent Revival", which has equally wyrd imagery in it, so obviously, tastes vary.

 

[Hermann]

This is in a United church?!?

You guys always surprise me.

Beautiful!

The Silver Harpist
Plucking passionately
The strings of life.

 

[chansen]

Finding a good harpist is a pleasant surprise. Finding this theology in mural form in a United Church is like finding someone who is able to make a kazoo sound worse than normal.