KELLY KRUSE / CONTEMPORARY ILLUMINATION / ARTIST & MUSICIAN
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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.

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

THE PAINTINGS

(click to view larger)

INSTALLATION PHOTOS


BEHIND THE SCENES & SELECTED WORKS

Picture
working movement two
Picture
self-portrait while painting mvt 6, part 2
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mvt 2, part 1 (detail)
Picture
studying mvt 3, part 1 text
Picture
detail, mvt 2 part 2
Picture
movement two in process
Picture
mvt 2, part 3 (detail)
Picture
reading for inspiration
Picture
Picture
working on mvt 4
Picture
working on mvt 1, part 1
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just finishing mvt 2 part 3
Picture
studying mvt 1, part 1 text
Picture
beginning strokes of mvt 6 part 2
All artwork, photographs, and text on this site are copyright © Kelly Kruse, 2014-2024. No images, artwork, or content may be used without express permission from the artist. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • About
    • ARTIST STATEMENT
    • BIO & CV
    • FAQ
    • STUDIO JOURNAL
  • WORK
    • BODIES OF WORK >
      • O MIRABILE MYSTERIUM
      • ICF Commission >
        • Nous
        • Psuche
        • Kardia
        • Pneuma
        • Soma
        • Sarx
      • GEHEIMNIS
      • TRUE AND BETTER
      • BROKEN BONES REJOICE
      • MAGNIFICAT >
        • MAGNIFICAT WORKS
      • My Iron Heart
      • To Stand in Tension >
        • FEELINGS: DEEPER QUESTIONS
      • All flesh is grass >
        • THE PROCESS
    • OTHER PROJECTS >
      • THE SHEMA
      • REDEEMER KINGDOM PAINTING
      • Psalms for Prayer
      • Psalms of Light
      • The Prayer Card Project
      • WHY WE CREATE
    • PARTNERSHIPS >
      • words of life
    • LICENSING/PRINT & COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS >
      • And He Shall Reign
      • The Beauty of Weakness
      • True & Better
    • Commissions
  • Contact
    • Email me
    • Newsletter
  • Shop
    • The 2024 Ornament Collection
    • Your Song in the Night Collection
    • From Past Exhibits
    • Books >
      • Geheimnis Book
    • You Work Wonders Collection
    • Spring 2022 Collection
    • My Etsy Shop
    • All unsold small works
  • PATREON
  • YouTube