21 Bruce Herman on Ordinary Saints: The Dangerous Space Between Icon and Portrait (Part 2)

Artist Bruce Herman on Ordinary Saints: The Dangerous Space Between Icon and Portrait (The Art of Paradox Part 2) “Essentially poetry, art, music, break open the world again for us that had gotten closed by our false certainties.”In the last Betwixt Episode, Artist Bruce Herman told the story about the house-fire in which he lost 25 years of artwork. Bruce described it as a “eu-catastrophe” - the good catastrophe that brought freedom amidst great loss.In Part 2 of this robust conversation with Bruce Herman, I wanted to learn more about his work as an artist. What are the new possibilities and narratives he has been exploring? What role does art play in the life of the Church?I am particularly interested in his latest series called Ordinary Saints which explores the fraught space between the icon and the portrait. A space Bruce has described as “entering into no-man’s land, between the sacred traditions on the one hand and the traditions of portraiture, and of art-song and poetry.”“Playing God is the great temptation for all of us. Especially artists . . . My imagination had been colonized by my desire for reputation.”Links:Get acquainted with Bruce Herman’s art by visiting www.bruceherman.comSee what Malcolm Guite is creating by visiting https://malcolmguite.wordpress.comListen to J.A.C. Redford’s Music at www.jacredford.comWatch Malcolm Guite and Steve Bell Perform “Your Poetry is Jamming My Machine” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkYjB_ZcXW0Music and Poetry:Stories About the World that Once Was Performed by Chris Zabriskie CC license www.freemusicarchive.comAspirato performed by Kai Engel CC license www.freemusicarchive.com“Your Poetry is Jamming My Machine” by Malcolm Guite. Performed with Steve Bell Turn Not Thy Face Away from Thy Servant by Russian Liturgical Chant CC license www.Archive.orgSummoning Beauty Music by JAC Redford for Ordinary Saints. (Used with Permission)Portrait of the Artist. (Used with Permission) Poetry by Malcolm Guite, music by JAC Redford for Ordinary Saints. Performed live at Laity Lodge.