Makoto Fujimura

This episode features a conversation  we originally hosted on Friday, January 29th with artist and author Makoto Fujimura on his recent book  Art + Faith: A Theology of Making. Mako says, “I now consider what I do in the studio to be theological work as much as aesthetic work. I experience God, my Maker, in the studio. I am immersed in the art of creating, and I have come to understand this dimension of life as the most profound way of grasping human experience and the nature of our existence in the world. I call it the “Theology of Making.”We hope you enjoy this conversation exploring the theological work of creating.Learn more about Makoto Fujimura.Watch the full Evening Conversation and read the transcript from January 29th, 2021.Thanks to Windrider Productions and The Rabbit Room for their partnership on the event with Mako on January 29.Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:William BlakeN.T. WrightEsther MeekThe Gift, by Lewis HydeBruce HermanT.S. Eliot Amanda GormanDavid BrooksRichard MouwLearn more about Kintsugi.Related Trinity Forum Readings and Resources: God's Grandeur , a Trinity Forum Reading by Gerard Manley Hopkins  Revelation, a Trinity Forum Reading by Flannery O’Connor  Letters from Vincent van Gogh, a Trinity Forum Reading by Vincent van Gogh Hannah and Nathan, a Trinity Forum Reading by Wendell Berry Culture Care: Mending to Make New, an Online Conversation with Mako Fujimura on August 7, 2020. Culture Care, an Evening Conversation with Mako Fujimura on September 19, 2017. Soul Care, an Evening Conversation with Mako Fujimura on March 31, 2016. Makoto Fujimura is a leading contemporary artist whose process driven, refractive “slow art” has been described by David Brooks of New York Times as “a small rebellion against the quickening of time”. In addition to his work as an artist Mako is an author whose works include Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art, and Culture and his just released work Art + Faith: A Theology of Making. Mako is also a senior fellow of the Trinity forum. Special thanks to Ned Bustard for the artwork and Andrew Peterson for the music!

"Jesus is the great kintsugi master." "Something that's broken is already more valuable than when it's whole." "The imagination creates, through the fractures, a river of gold, a mountain of gold." Makoto Fujimura joins Miroslav Volf to discuss Art & Faith: A Theology of Making. Fujimura is a painter who practices the Japanese art of nihonga, or slow art. His abstract expressionist pieces are composed of fine minerals he grinds himself and paints onto several dozens of layers, which take time and close attention both to make and to appreciate.Mako and Miroslav discuss the theology and spirituality that inspires Mako's work, the creative act of God mirrored in the practice of art, the unique ways of seeing and being that artists offer the world, which is, in Mako's words "dangerously close to life and death." They reflect on the meaning of Christ's humanity and his wounds, the gratuity of God in both creation from nothing and the artistic response in the celebration of everything.Show NotesMakoto Fujimura's Art & Faith: A Theology of MakingIlluminated Bible by Makoto FujimuraMary, Martha, & LazarusGenesis Creation NarrativeArt follows in the footsteps of the creatorThe reasons for God's creationWhy would an all-sufficient God create anything?God as "a grand artist with no ego and no need to create."Communicating about art and theology outside the boundaries of the institutional churchReconciliation between art and faithGod's gratuitous creation doesn't need a utilitarian purposeCreating vs makingIn artistic creation, something new does seem to emerge"God is the only artist"The scandal of God's incarnation: In becoming incarnate, God's utter independence is flipped to utter dependence.Psalmist's cry to GodHow art breaks the ordinaryThe artist's way of seeing and beingSeeing as survivalSeeing with the eyes of your heart"Artists stay dangerously close to death and life"Getting beyond the rational way of seeingLetting the senses become part of our prayerWilliam James on conversion: everything becomes new for the convertedSeeing with a new frame of beautyFaith and the authenticity of seeing with the eyes of an artistEmily Dickenson on the "tender pioneer" of JesusHartmut Rosa on resonance—in modernity, the world becomes dead for us, and fails to speak with us, but we need a sense of resonanceKandinsky and Rothko—artists' intuitive sense of resonance that has escaped the church in the wake of mid-century destructionMary's wedding nard oil and the gratuitous cost of artThe non-utilitarian nature of artUsing precious materials in artTear jarsMiroslav's mother regularly weeping and crying: "I wonder why God gave us tears? Only humans are the animals who cry."Helmut Plessner's Laughing and Crying: Weeping as relinquishing self-possession and merging the self with the flesh (as opposed to reason/ratio or technique/techne)N.T. Wright—the greatest miracle is that Jesus chose to stay human.Jesus's remaining woundsCo-mingling our tears with Christ's tearsKintsugi and Japanese Slow ArtAccentuating the fracture"The imagination creates, through the fractures, a river of gold, a mountain of gold."This is the best example of new creation."What would happen to our scars? That's a question with no answer."Through his wounds, our wounds would look differentJesus is the great kintsugi master, leading a path of gold along the fractures of lifeThe permanence of scarsIs it possible to be in the good and be truly joyous?"God is not the source of beauty. God is beauty."Fundamental "new newness": So new that it evades understandingGoodness, truth, and beautyGod loved the world so much, it wasn't enough to merely admire it—he had to join it.What is a life worthy of our humanity?Fujimura's practice of art as an attempt to answer that question."Our lives as the artwork of God, especially as a collaborative community in the Body of Christ."About Makoto FujimuraMakoto Fujimura is a leading contemporary artist whose process driven, refractive “slow art” has been described by David Brooks of New York Times as “a small rebellion against the quickening of time”. Robert Kushner, in the mid 90’s, written on Fujimura’s art in Art in America this way: “The idea of forging a new kind of art, about hope, healing, redemption, refuge, while maintaining visual sophistication and intellectual integrity is a growing movement, one which finds Makoto Fujimura’s work at the vanguard.”Fujimura’s art has been featured widely in galleries and museums around the world, and is collected by notable collections including The Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo, The Huntington Library as well as Tikotin Museum in Israel. His art is represented by Artrue International in Asia and has been exhibited at various venues including Dillon Gallery, Waterfall Mansion, Morpeth Contemporary,  Sato Museum in Tokyo, Tokyo University of Fine Arts Museum, Bentley Gallery in Phoenix, Gallery Exit and Oxford House at Taikoo Place in Hong Kong, Vienna’s Belvedere Museum, Shusaku Endo Museum in Nagasaki and Jundt Museum at Gonzaga University. He is one of the first artists to paint live on stage at New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall as part of an ongoing collaboration with composer and percussionist, Susie Ibarra.  Their collaborative album "Walking on Water" is released by Innova Records. As well as being a leading contemporary painter, Fujimura is also an arts advocate, writer, and speaker who is recognized worldwide as a cultural influencer. A Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts from 2003-2009, Fujimura served as an international advocate for the arts, speaking with decision makers and advising governmental policies on the arts. His book “Refractions” (NavPress) and “Culture Care” (IVPress) reflects many of his thesis on arts advocacy written during that time. His books have won numerous awards including the Aldersgate Prize for “Silence and Beauty” (IVPress). In 2014, the American Academy of Religion named Fujimura as its 2014 “Religion and the Arts” award recipient. This award is presented annually to professional artists who have made significant contributions to the relationship of art and religion, both for the academy and a broader public. Previous recipients of the award include Meredith Monk, Holland Cotter, Gary Snyder, Betye & Alison Saar and Bill Viola. Fujimura's highly anticipated book "Art+Faith: A Theology of Making" (Yale Press, with foreword by N.T. Wright, 2021) has been described by poet Christian Wiman as "a real tonic for our atomized time".Fujimura founded the International Arts Movement in 1992, now IAMCultureCare, which over sees Fujimura Institute. In 2011 the Fujimura Institute was established and launched the Four Qu4rtets, a collaboration between Fujimura, painter Bruce Herman, Duke theologian/pianist Jeremy Begbie, and Yale composer Christopher Theofanidis, based on T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets. The exhibition has travelled to Baylor, Duke, and Yale Universities, Cambridge University, Hiroshima City University and other institutions around the globe.Bucknell University honored him with the Outstanding Alumni Award in 2012.Fujimura is a recipient of four Doctor of Arts Honorary Degrees; from Belhaven University in 2011, Biola University in 2012, Cairn University in 2014 and Roanoke College, in February 2015. His Commencement addresses has received notable attention, being selected by NPR as one of the “Best Commencement Addresses Ever”. His recent 2019 Commencement Address at Judson University, was called “Kintsugi Generation”, laying out his cultural vision for the next generation.Production NotesThis podcast featured artist Makoto Fujimura and theologian Miroslav VolfEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Martin Chan & Nathan JowersA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Today we're talking with painter Makoto Fujimura about art, making, and the meaning of life. Are there right and wrong ways of enjoying and participating in art? Are there good and bad kinds of making? How does art get to the heart of who we are and why we're here? And what does it mean for us to think of God as the first and greatest artist? Fire your imagination and deepen your creative practice through this thoughtful conversation. To learn more about Regent College and its upcoming courses visit:www.regent-college.edu

Makoto Fujimura talks about a theology of new creation and reflects on the sanctifying, healing power that comes through the process of making. He is a leading contemporary artists, as well as an author and speaker.

Episode: Generativity over usefulness and efficiency. Making versus fixing. The “new newness” of Redemption and New Creation. In this episode artist, writer, and speaker Makoto Fujimura joins co-host Amy Hughes to discuss his […]The post Makoto Fujimura – Art + Faith: A Theology of Making first appeared on OnScript.

On this Easter Sunday as Christians remember the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are joined by internationally renowned artist Makoto Fujimura as he reflects on suffering, humanity, time, and creativity. And we travel to the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre in Western Sydney, to take a look at the 66th Blake Prize exhibition — one of Australia’s longest running and most prestigious prizes for religious and spiritual art.

Continuing our series on Art and Culture, we are joined by Makoto Fujimura, who is the founder of the International Arts Movements and the Fujimura Institute and the author of Art and Faith: A Theology of Making (with Yale University Press). Over the course of our conversation we talk about the relationship of art to modernism, beauty and subjectivity, and the notion of abstract art. As we discuss art from a faith perspective, our discussion turns to focus on reflections on art in the midst of loss and grief and what that teaches us theologically about grieving alongside Jesus (cf. John 11:35) and what the nature of the new creation will be. Team members on the episode include Amber Bowen, Dr. Josh Carroll, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Grace Sangalang Ng.

In this ep, I sit down with acclaimed, New York-based artist Makoto Fujimura. Makoto is a fascinating man: someone who's perfectly balanced the "border stalking" (his words) nature of artists with a deep and abiding faith. We talk about how to mends trauma and end cultural divides, the nature of God, and the role of artists as healers and integrators.  Makoto Fujimura is a leading contemporary artist whose process-driven, refractive “slow art” has been described by David Brooks of New York Times as “a small rebellion against the quickening of time”. Robert Kushner, in the mid 90’s, spoke of Fujimura’s art this way: “The idea of forging a new kind of art, about hope, healing, redemption, refuge, while maintaining visual sophistication and intellectual integrity is a growing movement, one which finds Makoto Fujimura’s work at the vanguard.” Fujimura’s art is collected and featured widely in galleries and museums around the world, including The Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo, The Huntington Library, the Tikotin Museum in Israel, Dillon Gallery and Waterfall Mansion in New York,  Sato Museum in Tokyo, The Tokyo National University of Fine Arts Museum, Bentley Gallery in Arizona, Gallery Exit and Oxford House at Taikoo Place in Hong Kong, Vienna’s Belvedere Museum, and Shusaku Endo Museum in Nagasaki. He is one of the first artists to paint live on stage at New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall as part of an ongoing collaboration with composer and percussionist, Susie Ibarra. Fujimura is also an arts advocate, writer, and speaker who is recognized worldwide as a cultural influencer. A Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts from 2003-2009, Fujimura served as an international advocate for the arts, speaking with decision makers and advising governmental policies on the arts. His books have won numerous awards, including the Aldersgate Prize for “Silence and Beauty”. Fujimura's highly anticipated book Art+Faith: A Theology of Making (Yale Press, with foreword by N.T. Wright, 2021) has been described by poet Christian Wiman as "a real tonic for our atomized time". Connect with Makoto: Website: https://makotofujimura.com/TwitterInstagramYoutube Latest book: Art + Faith: A Theology of MakingKintusgi Academy Instagram PageKintsugi Academy Shop Did you enjoy the podcast? If so, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser. It helps us get into the ears of new listeners, expand the ManTalks Community, and help others find the self-leadership they’re looking for. Are you looking to find purpose, navigate transition, or fix your relationships, all with a powerful group of men from around the world? Check out The Alliance and join me today.  Check out our Facebook Page or the Men's community. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify For more episodes visit us at ManTalks.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Editing & Mixing by: Aaron The TechSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Makoto Fujimura is a painter and the author of several books on the intersection of faith, culture, and the arts. Most recently he’s published Art and Faith: A Theology of Making.In this episode, Mako describes his calling as an artist and how living three blocks from the World Trade Center transformed his painting. He also describes his work in kintsugi – the Japanese art of mending broken ceramics by pouring gold between the shattered pieces. The medium itself is a vision of grace: taking something that appears ruined and making it more beautiful and more valuable than the original.It’s a conversation about vocation, creativity, the abundance of God’s love, and the importance of culture making as vision of the new creation.Produced by Mike CosperEdited by Mark OwensMusic by Dan PhelpsTheme Song “Eden Was a Garden” by Roman Candle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today I interview artist and speaker Makoto Fuijmura. Our discussion focuses primarily on his book Culture Care and the valuable lessons and questions that can arise from the content.