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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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