If you ask me for an initial impression of "Does Cameron Sexton Look Happy?", I have to say no. He looks nervous and sweaty—like a bully who is used to having his way and suddenly realizes he is no longer in control. Beyond that, my first thought on seeing the hand intruding from above was Michelangelo's painting in the Sistine Chapel. In this case, however, instead of God touching Adam in an act of creation, the Finger appears to be poised over a detonator, suggesting that God is bringing an end to Sexton's reign of hate.
Randy, this is extremely helpful. I had yet to see these connections. Let me also note...your decision (conscious or unconscious) to adjust the title of the work to fit what the work is drawing out of you is a gift to me. I don't know what all God or the Wheel of Fortune has in store for Mr. Sexton, but I'm less bummed out by events as I read your words. Thank you for them.
David, I recall hearing the Rev. Jim Wallis speak some years ago in Nashville. He told a story about a visit to South Africa during the waning days of apartheid. There was a gathering in a large church, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu was preaching.
Midway through his sermon, a squad of police in riot gear, truncheons at the ready, entered and lined the sides of the sanctuary. Those in the pews thought they were about to be beaten--or worse.
Unfazed, Archbishop Tutu pointed a finger at the intruders and addressed them in his high, squeaky voice: "I serve a God who is more powerful than your police and your state. Therefore, since you have already lost, wouldn't you like to come over to the winning side?" And then he came down from the pulpit and began to dance in celebration. He danced down the center aisle and out into the street, and everyone followed him and danced, too. The police were utterly undone and just stood and watched.
I find that story helpful in times like this.
Also, of course, I fantasize about yelling something similar to Cameron Sexton from the House gallery. And then getting everyone to join in singing "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory" before they succeeded in throwing us out. I imagine most of the House members would recoil at that song like Dracula in front of a garlic cross.
I'm not so sure they'd recoil. They seem to like their hymns. Was the Jim Wallis event at the Belcourt or maybe Scarritt-Bennett? I may have been there.
There’s a good story from the Irish thinker John Moriarty. He is visited by Orion one night. And opening his front door Orion hands him a letter “this is all the knowledge humans have of the universe. The Universe recognizes itself in none of it.”
Its from a collection of his writings edited by storyteller Martin Shaw titled "A Hut at the Edge of the Village" Its a great introduction to his work. The chapter is "I No Longer Smelled of Thunder". John Moriarty, i believe, was trying to heal the western mindset of some of our beliefs that have calcified our way of beholding the world. He called it a Medusa Mindset. You can also find a few youtube videos of him speaking. I think hearing him speak really opens up his writings.
If you ask me for an initial impression of "Does Cameron Sexton Look Happy?", I have to say no. He looks nervous and sweaty—like a bully who is used to having his way and suddenly realizes he is no longer in control. Beyond that, my first thought on seeing the hand intruding from above was Michelangelo's painting in the Sistine Chapel. In this case, however, instead of God touching Adam in an act of creation, the Finger appears to be poised over a detonator, suggesting that God is bringing an end to Sexton's reign of hate.
I can hope at least.
Randy, this is extremely helpful. I had yet to see these connections. Let me also note...your decision (conscious or unconscious) to adjust the title of the work to fit what the work is drawing out of you is a gift to me. I don't know what all God or the Wheel of Fortune has in store for Mr. Sexton, but I'm less bummed out by events as I read your words. Thank you for them.
David, I recall hearing the Rev. Jim Wallis speak some years ago in Nashville. He told a story about a visit to South Africa during the waning days of apartheid. There was a gathering in a large church, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu was preaching.
Midway through his sermon, a squad of police in riot gear, truncheons at the ready, entered and lined the sides of the sanctuary. Those in the pews thought they were about to be beaten--or worse.
Unfazed, Archbishop Tutu pointed a finger at the intruders and addressed them in his high, squeaky voice: "I serve a God who is more powerful than your police and your state. Therefore, since you have already lost, wouldn't you like to come over to the winning side?" And then he came down from the pulpit and began to dance in celebration. He danced down the center aisle and out into the street, and everyone followed him and danced, too. The police were utterly undone and just stood and watched.
I find that story helpful in times like this.
Also, of course, I fantasize about yelling something similar to Cameron Sexton from the House gallery. And then getting everyone to join in singing "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory" before they succeeded in throwing us out. I imagine most of the House members would recoil at that song like Dracula in front of a garlic cross.
I'm not so sure they'd recoil. They seem to like their hymns. Was the Jim Wallis event at the Belcourt or maybe Scarritt-Bennett? I may have been there.
My recollection was that he spoke at TPAC.
To add to the confusion - I was there as well - I recall it was at Belmont UMC...
Ha! Could be! Funny how that story he told stuck with me but the location didn't
There’s a good story from the Irish thinker John Moriarty. He is visited by Orion one night. And opening his front door Orion hands him a letter “this is all the knowledge humans have of the universe. The Universe recognizes itself in none of it.”
Space doesn’t care.
Oh my goodness. That's awesome. Where do I find this story?
Its from a collection of his writings edited by storyteller Martin Shaw titled "A Hut at the Edge of the Village" Its a great introduction to his work. The chapter is "I No Longer Smelled of Thunder". John Moriarty, i believe, was trying to heal the western mindset of some of our beliefs that have calcified our way of beholding the world. He called it a Medusa Mindset. You can also find a few youtube videos of him speaking. I think hearing him speak really opens up his writings.