Artwork In Lds Chapels

[DH]

One of my many earthly failings. I become easily distracted by beautiful art, and don't pay as much attention to my worship as I should.

That's okay--everybody's different. I get easily distracted by sounds and noise, and so I often prefer silence, or a situation with "white noise."

I don't remember the details, but I seem to remember reading about an Islamic practice (possibly Sufi?) that involved contemplating beauty as a way of communing with God. I also think there are different ways/forms of worshipping. Some may work better for certain people than others, and it may be that different kinds of worship are appropriate at different times. There's a time and a place for worshipping through music, for example, while at other times silent meditation may be the way to go.

Peace,

DH

Edited August 13, 2012 by DH

[volgadon]

That's okay--everybody's different. I get easily distracted by sounds and noise, and so I often prefer silence, or a situation with "white noise."

I don't remember the details, but I seem to remember reading about an Islamic practice (possibly Sufi?) that involved contemplating beauty as a way of communing with God. I also think there are different ways/forms of worshipping. Some may work better for certain people than others, and it may be that different kinds of worship are appropriate at different times. There's a time and a place for worshipping through music, for example, while at other times silent meditation may be the way to go.

Peace,

DH

It is a very Platonic and Neoplatonic idea. You can find the earliest expression in the Allegory of the Cave. In Christianity, this was developed further by Pseudo-Dionysius, used later as the reasoning behind Gothic art. In Judaism there is also the allegory of a man lusting after a gorgeous woman, but then, upon further contemplation of her beauty, is led to contemplate the source of beauty- God.

[Grundelwalken]

Thinking back over the past 46 years I have been a member, I cannot remember having seen any artwork whatsoever in any LDS chapel I have been in. Maybe there was some, in some place, but I don't remember it.

When I was growing up, there was a picture of the Savior over the door to the sacrament preparation room. I would watch the Teachers (didn't know that at the time) go in and out and wondered what they were doing. Finally, in my little child mind I determined they were all going in and talking to Jesus before Church started. My biggest desire was to get old enough to go in that room and have a chance to see Jesus. It was a disappointing day when I found out my illusion was false. MW

[emeliza]

The reference from the church handbook (also available on-line) reads verbatim: Pictures and other artwork may be placed in appropriate locations in the meeting house, however, they may not be placed in the chapel or near the baptismal font.

Slightly funny, but our baptismal font is in the cultural hall. We had a family getting baptized one Saturday and the youth dance committee wasn't told so they had decorated the entire cultural hall prior to the baptism (we came in right when they were finishing up). It was a bit unique seeing Mickey Mouse, the Little Mermaid and some other various Disney characters around the baptismal font. The leaders who decorated were upset and embarassed, but no one else cared.

[Tacenda]

While walking with a friend in the church the other day, I noticed there are several new framed artwork pieces hanging in the hallways.  Is this a new thing for all ward buildings?  Does it have to do with the missionaries taking people on tours?  Maybe this new trend will find it's way into the chapel area behind the pulpit.   

[rpn]

Just let there be stained glass in the chapel --- that would be enough.   (And still exists in some of the historic chapels.)

[EllenMaksoud]

No artwork in chapel. Scrooge. Bah humbug.

[strappinglad]

I wonder if there is any artwork on the walls of the temple chapels????????

[Garden Girl]

I wonder if there is any artwork on the walls of the temple chapels????????

 

Yes...

 

GG

[BlueDreams]

This is my point as well. The temple and the church building use artwork in the exact same way. They both have it in all the supporting rooms and hallways, but not in those rooms considered holy or sacred.

There is no difference between the temple and the church meeting house in regards to artwork, except perhaps the size of the paintings and their number since temples are usually a lot bigger.

 

Actually this is not the case in the provo temple. It has a huge painting of Christ in the celestial room. Though there isn't artwork in the endowment room, intitatories, and sealing rooms. But I assume it's exceptional, because most I don't remember seeing a picture

 

 

I guess I don't get it, how alot of what is said here, is that you'd be distracted from the spirit or distracted from worshipping by viewing artwork. Where to me, just like music helps me worship so does a picture of Christ help me worship. I guess my brain needs the help and perhaps my soul. And don't get me started on the music. But I gotta say, we had a lovely young woman sing yesterday in Sacrament and she was awesome!!

 

I'd agree with TSS that it can be distracting. For me it's a different reason. I'm an art snob and a painter myself. When I look at artwork, I'm usually critiquing their use of style and technique and what I like and don't like about it...plus their execution of symbol and story through art. I dislike most pictures of Christ, especially ones that are generally popular within the church (I consider a good number of them as vapid icon-oriented kische art). So most of the time I ignore them. But at times I actually get irritated with them. I have a firm memory on my mission of having a bad, emotionally draining day and actually getting mad at the plethora of cheesy Jesus pictures in our apartment. So not only does it distract for me, it can detract if I really am irritated by a painting. 

 

Art can be inspiring, but it's highly about personal preference and perspective. If I were to decorate a chapel, it would either have a number of classic works or more modern, abstracted works (lean to the latter because it would mesh better with the strong lines and functionalist look of most chapels). Not everybody would be happy with that either. So it's easier to have neither. 

 

Currently I don't even get the bare functional look of a normal chapel. It's a classroom with stadium style seating and a number of white boards for our décor.

 

 

With luv,

BD 

[Garden Girl]

Actually this is not the case in the provo temple. It has a huge painting of Christ in the celestial room. Though there isn't artwork in the endowment room, intitatories, and sealing rooms. But I assume it's exceptional, because most I don't remember seeing a picture

 

With luv,

BD 

 

Also the Portland temple has artwork in both the chapel and the Celestial Room, but not the endorment, sealing or initiatory rooms. 

 

GG