dear internet,
Today in religious studies we were talking about the various arts taking the place of religion in the modern Western world for most people, in that people derive meaning and identity from say, what films or bands they like, and the intense emotional experience that can follow a film or art show or concert. I could relate to this because I went to see Cowboy Mouth once in Washington, DC, and they saved my soul--by which I mean that they made me feel really awesomely alive, and that I haven't taken that feeling for granted and have felt even more gratitude for being alive since then. . So my question is: have you ever had an intense, life-changing experience because of art?
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I never thought about that, I have heard theories of mayor sport events taking the place of the community aspect of religion though and I suppose the same thing could happen at a big concert, everyone loving the same team/band/artist and being wrapped up in that crowd all wanting the same thing... Must be very powerful. Of course there's a more transcendental quality to art (or, good art...) which can make os view the world around us differently so it's an interesting idea.
I do have intense emotions regarding art and can react very strongly to it, but I wouldn't call it a religious sensation.
I agree with fluffybullet about the sports. Not that it's in any way bad... in January of '04 when the Panthers won the NFC (over the Eagles no less, who I despise >.<), I felt for a little while like I was floating... no church has ever made me feel that way.
Can I comment even though I am an athiest, and have been since I was 5?
Yes, several times. The first was not art, but when I saw the Pope in St. Peter's Square (Pope John Paul II), that was pretty amazing, somehow it all made sense, what religion meant, to all these people: this incredible feeling, overwhelming, despite being an athiest.
The next time was the Creation of Adam, in the Sistine Chapel, actually, just the whole of the Sistine Chapel, the devotion, to art, to religion, to the work (even if you take it at its basest value that Michelangelo was merely hired), to create something, that magnificent, spellbinding, the complete assault on the senses, you feel completely inadequete.
And David. David was, still is, beyond words. Over two and a half decades have passed since I saw David. And I was little then, little . I just sat, walked around, sat, for hours. In awe, in reverence, at beauty, at perfection, in art, in work, mind-blowing. I can never describe, because to describe would be to belittle. It's like the pictures of the cosmos, sent back by Hubble. So amazing, you are humbled, so extraordinary. No matter what man creates, it is truly nothing compared to what exists in nature, colours, scenes, for a demi-second, which is all it needs, to make an impression, on emotion, soul, visual, to stay with one for a lifetime.
And you know what else? I always hated angels in films, I had all these questions stored up, it was all a huge con. And then along came this one film, which answered all my questions about angels. I am still an athiest, but now I believe in angels, because of this film, they exist like faeries. 'City of Angels'. ;).
And in deep midsummer, when it is scorching hot outside, I will tiptoe into the coffin coldness of a church. And sit on the wooden pews, barelegged on the flagged stones, sometimes walking around, feeling the chill steal through me, disassociated from reality, sometimes looking at the architecture, mostly sitting, renewing, feeling the inner soul slough off, thoughts righting themselves, coming to fore with clarity. I love deserted old churches in the summertime.
Well, then littlewolf, those works of art worked, because the basic purpose of religion is to make people feel a certain way--to create moods and motivations. So good on ya!
I try to open my mind to be fully effected my any artwork I see/read/watch/hear, in order to get the maximum possible experience from it. And almost every good art-work changes one's life in some way. I myself have had several hugely intense experiences from art-works.
holy cow, I'm psyched you used cowboy mouth as an example. I'm from New Orleans, and I can never tell how well a local band is known to the rest of the world. But, I've seen them a million times (sang at Jazzfest once with freddy leblanc) and...and...er, yay! That's all :-D
Soco, let me put it this way: I'm 99% sure that I would do whatever Fred told me to do! Their shows are...well, you know. I know of nothing on this earth like seeing the Mouth live. I have a friend in Charlotte and he pretty much uses their shows as therapy.
Just wondering if any of you Cowboy Mouth fan's have seen the play by Sam Shepard and Patti Smith that they presumably take their name from? It's a great play...
They do, and I haven't.