ALL FLESH IS GRASS
illuminations of Ein Deutsches Requiem by Johannes Brahms
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Painted in 2015, this body of work includes seventeen illuminations of the multi-movement Ein Deutsches Requiem by Johannes Brahms. Composed in 1868, the Brahms Requiem was the first work of its kind in German, though it took inspiration from the form of the Latin Requiem mass. Brahms chose to ignore traditional Latin texts and instead used texts from the Luther Bible. Brahms chose texts that never make direct mention of Jesus, which became a point of contention for many people when the work premiered. Brahms, finding himself situated in a post-enlightenment world, could be quite ambiguous and even evasive when discussing his religious beliefs. Some historians believe he was an agnostic, and therefore the Brahms Requiem, though set to religious texts, has often been viewed as a humanist rather than religious work.
My inspiration came from the work as a whole, including its context in Brahms' life, the musical structures and textures, the biblical texts, and my visceral reactions to the music itself. My hope for the work was that it would create space for others to meditate on the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of life. Beyond that, my hope was that the colors, texts, and sublime music would offer glimmers of hope, comfort, adoration of God, and meditation upon the promises that God offers in the midst of such sorrow.
My inspiration came from the work as a whole, including its context in Brahms' life, the musical structures and textures, the biblical texts, and my visceral reactions to the music itself. My hope for the work was that it would create space for others to meditate on the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of life. Beyond that, my hope was that the colors, texts, and sublime music would offer glimmers of hope, comfort, adoration of God, and meditation upon the promises that God offers in the midst of such sorrow.
MEDITATIVE ESSAYS
For deeper insight into Brahms, this Requiem, and what this project has meant to me, check out a set of meditative essays on this work.
EXHIBITION INFO
OPENING RECEPTION | FIRST FRIDAY
Friday, March 3, 2017
6:00pm-9:00pm
ARTIST TALK
Sunday, February 29, 2017
10:00am
Beggar's Table Church & Gallery
2010 Baltimore Ave, KC MO
Friday, March 3, 2017
6:00pm-9:00pm
ARTIST TALK
Sunday, February 29, 2017
10:00am
Beggar's Table Church & Gallery
2010 Baltimore Ave, KC MO
