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Art to Awaken the Senses but Calm the Heart

Brian Eno is best known for his work with Robert Fripp, U2, the Talking Heads, David Bowie, and John Cale. His music is innovative and ranges from rock to punk to ambient techno. From June 29 through July 1 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, the Long Now Foundation presented musician and artist Brian Eno's "77 Million Paintings," a digital video installation featuring an ever-changing creation.

It is the day after the 4th of July, and between the crowds, BBQs, parties and fireworks, I wanted to present my readers a gift from a genius. Listen and relax, think about and pray for peace in your hearts and in our world, and say thanks for the blessings in your life.

Mandala soundwave Provided on YouTube by Leodorus

As a bonus, here is an example of his Eno's work from 77 Million Paintings.

What Would Jesus Do?

Is it offensive to depict Jesus as a giant candy bar or as Barack Obama? You decide.

Two artists, one a student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the other artist Cosimo Cavallaro created either great pieces of conversation or an abomination, depending upon the viewer.

In an AP article, Art student's depiction of Obama as Jesus causes stir, David Cordero, 24, who made the sculpture for his senior show, says:

"All of this is a response to what I've been witnessing and hearing, this idea that Barack is sort of a potential savior that might come and absolve the country of all its sins. In a lot of ways it's about caution in assigning all these inflated expectations on one individual, and expecting them to change something that many hands have shaped."

As for the chocolate Jesus, the piece caused enough Catholic outrage in New York that an art gallery  canceled an exhibit featuring the nude 6-foot-tall, anatomically correct chocolate sculpture of Jesus Christ.

In the same AP article, "artist Cosimo Cavallaro said Saturday that he has received threats as a result of the sculpture, called My Sweet Lord. Cavallaro said the controversy spurred 'thousands' of e-mail messages from people offering help, donations and exhibition space."

When I was a graduate student in Theology and then a lay Eucharistic minister, many of us when faced with a religious challenge would ask ourselves: "What would Jesus do?" It seemed to help us work our way through questions without adding fire to the Holy Water.

I'm curious. What do you think? Abomination or just art? Are you offended?

Art as its Always Been

Starving artist is a cliche because it describes the truth. Art has always and remains the stuff yet to be discovered, and usually fails to bring little recognition and even less income to living artists.

For the hottest art craze, check out The Banksy effect.