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UPON A ROCK
On Overview

How many of us grew up singing about a house upon a rock? We all learned that we had to avoid the sandy land, didn’t we! But while we might have pictured an actual house standing strong on the rocky ground and another toppling in the sand, we also knew that rocks and sand had something to do with anchoring our lives on the Word of God. In this art education curriculum, we will take two parallel journeys—one that explores the building of a spiritual house upon a rock of faith and the other that involves the construction of a physical building by digging supports deep into bedrock to form a strong and sturdy foundation.

As we examine the practices of ancient civilizations, we realize that humans have always had a great yearning for a relationship with the one true God and a genuine concern for their well-being in the afterlife. The security we have in an eternal home in Heaven through salvation in Jesus Christ was not yet available to the ancient Egyptians, who filled tombs with items to take with them into an imagined afterlife. By observing their culture through paintings, statues, and carvings on tomb walls, we realize how blessed we are to have been given the assurance that our home in Heaven is already prepared and waiting for us. ("In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2)

A study of the Impressionist movement teaches us how changes in lighting throughout the day affect the way we see objects. But, just as objects are affected by light, people are affected by the light of Christ that shines through us. Matthew 5:14 says, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." Students are encouraged in James 1:22 to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only" and in Matthew 5:16 that says, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works." They identify ways to let their lights shine in the classroom, during break, and at home. Their study of visual light in art focuses on the mission of Impressionist artists to record the colors and shadows captured throughout the day as moments in time. They also study the use of light to emphasize a focal point and to define the changing planes on the face in a portrait. Students examine complementary and tertiary colors, and they practice the use of optical mixing in an attempt to reproduce Monet’s Haystacks, End of Summer.

A study of patterns, both in art and in the natural world, reveals the orderly nature of God and the consistent quality of his Word: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8). The consistency provided by the patterns that God has created—the ebb and flow of tides, the rainbow following a storm, the recurrence of the seasons—provides us with a sense of peace and safety. When students create motifs and patterns of their own, they can, in a similar way, create a sense of peace for anyone viewing their art. Asymmetrical balance, radial balance, and rhythm are examined; and compositions are evaluated for balance, rhythm, unity, and movement.

Our desire to change rules to suit our needs is explored, along with the resulting challenges such impulsive changes can create. The value of God’s unchanging nature can be seen as a contrast to the way each of our perspectives change according to how we feel or the way we view something. A study of point of view, or perspective, in art leads to drawing items from different angles. Further exploration of point of view invites a discussion of the changing monetary value of art in the marketplace, with examples such as the sale of van Gogh’s Sunflowers for almost $40 million in 1987, and an attempt is made to understand why certain paintings are seen as much more valuable than others. Why would a painting, like Salvator Mundi (Savior of the World), sell for $430.5 million in 2017?

Our study of Greek and Roman art brings us to Leviticus 19:4: "Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God." We see how the artwork of a culture gives evidence of the beliefs of the people. We learn about the elimination of idol worship with the appearance of Christianity and how the conversion of Constantine affects the art world at the time. The persecution of Christians ends, and for the first time, art portraying Christ and Bible themes can be displayed.

An appreciation for the written Word of God is enhanced by a glimpse into the past, before the invention of the printing press, when scribes meticulously copied page after page of the Bible by hand. Students approach the challenge of creating an illuminated letter of their own as they are introduced to many examples and to a contemporary Christian artist who dedicated himself to illuminating the first word of every chapter of the four Gospels. This ambitious project was undertaken in honor of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible in 2011.

A practical look at building our house upon a rock reveals the value in building on a firm foundation. Not only do we need a firm foundation in our walk with God, but also in the construction of buildings—especially the supertall and megatall buildings of the modern era. Architectural features and relevant inventions that contribute to building higher in the race toward the sky are discussed, and specific buildings are studied.

After we recognize the ancient civilizations’ preoccupation with the afterlife and take a look at the significance and power of the light of Christ, we recognize the value of a firm foundation and take great joy in our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. With a humble heart, we give thanks. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

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