Wednesday, November 15, 2023

My performance art piece Faith Through worship


 

Faith Through worship

 

My performance art piece, blending praise dance and an original Christian song that I created with friends, serves as a powerful expression of identity on multiple levels. Firstly, through the incorporation of praise dance, I physically embody and communicate my spiritual and religious identity. The movements and gestures become a personal language, conveying a deep connection with my faith and a shared sense of community with my friends. This physical expression not only showcases my personal beliefs but also becomes a communal celebration, reinforcing a shared identity rooted in Christian spirituality.

The original Christian song I've composed adds another layer to my identity expression. Through the lyrics, melody, and rhythm, I'm not only sharing my religious beliefs but also offering a unique artistic interpretation of my faith. The act of creating and performing this piece with friends further strengthens the bond of shared identity, turning the performance into a collaborative expression of our collective spirituality. Overall, my performance art piece becomes a vibrant tapestry that weaves together personal and communal aspects of identity, combining movement, music, and faith into a rich and meaningful experience for both performers and audience alike.

Let's dive deeper into what our performance really means. It's not just a dance routine; it's like sharing a piece of our hearts with everyone. When I'm in the groove of the praise dance, it's not just about the moves – it's a personal conversation through body language, a way of expressing my core beliefs. Every spin and step is like a brushstroke in a painting that tells the story of my connection with faith. Now, when my friends join in, it transforms into a collective narrative, a shared identity that we're painting together through synchronized moves. It's not just dance; it's a living canvas, a celebration of our togetherness rooted in our common belief in Jesus.

Let's talk about the song – "Victory Belongs to Jesus" by Todd Dulaney. The lyrics aren't just words; they're a proclamation of our faith. When we sing, "Victory belongs to Jesus, victory belongs to him," it's not just a catchy phrase; it's a resounding declaration of our core belief. The song becomes a vessel carrying the weight of our shared identity, a way of saying that we find our strength and triumph in Jesus.

Now, looking at the bigger picture, our performance is like a dynamic mosaic portraying the essence of who we are. The dance moves, the song lyrics, and the collective energy all contribute to this vibrant portrayal. It's not just about individual stories; it's a collective narrative about us. When we present this to the audience, it's like unveiling a mural of our identity. It becomes a shared experience where everyone, whether dancing or observing, becomes part of the narrative through the rhythmic movements and the shared conviction in the song's message. This isn't just a show; it's an invitation for everyone to immerse themselves in our shared journey, guided by the beats of "Victory Belongs to Jesus." It's a collective expression that transcends the stage, creating a moment where the audience is invited to connect with our story and beliefs.

Shaun Leonardo's work, "The Freedom to Move

“Shaun Leonardo's work, "The Freedom to Move," presents a powerful exploration of movement, identity, and the human experience. In considering my performance art piece, blending praise dance and an original Christian song, there is a notable parallel in the emphasis on movement as a means of expression and identity. Leonardo's work delves into the significance of physical gestures, and similarly, my praise dance becomes a form of communication, embodying my spiritual identity through the language of movement.

"The Freedom to Move" also touches on the idea of societal constraints and freedom of expression. In my performance art, the act of blending praise dance with an original Christian song can be seen as a way of breaking free from conventional norms and expressing my identity authentically. The fusion of dance and music becomes a declaration of spiritual freedom, challenging societal expectations and embracing a unique form of artistic and religious expression.

Furthermore, both of our pieces share a common thread in the exploration of communal identity. Leonardo's work often involves group participation, emphasizing collective experiences, much like the communal celebration in my performance art. The incorporation of friends in my piece strengthens the bond of shared identity, transforming the performance into a collaborative expression of collective spirituality, echoing the communal aspects explored in "The Freedom to Move."

Moreover, the religious undertones in my performance align with the themes of identity and freedom in Shaun Leonardo's work. The original Christian song in my piece adds another layer to my identity expression, mirroring Leonardo's exploration of freedom through various forms of movement. The religious context becomes a focal point in both of our works, highlighting the significance of spirituality in shaping individual and communal identities.

In essence, both "The Freedom to Move" and my performance art piece share a thematic connection in the exploration of identity, freedom of expression, and the power of movement. Leonardo's work provides a broader perspective on the universal human experience, while my performance narrows the focus to the intimate intersection of faith, movement, and communal celebration. Together, our pieces contribute to the rich tapestry of artistic expressions that delve into the complexities of identity and the freedom to authentically express oneself. 

                                                                      Berger, Ways of Seeing  

  1. "The way people look at art is affected by a whole series of learned assumptions about beauty, truth, genius, civilization, form, status, taste, etc."

This quote by Berger is like saying when we check out art, we're not doing it with a blank slate. We carry around a bunch of ideas about what's beautiful, true, genius, or high-class. So, when I mix praise dance and a Christian song in my performance, I'm kind of messing with those assumptions. It's like, "Hey, take a second look at how you see spiritual expression in art." I'm challenging what folks might think about beauty and truth when it comes to praising through dance and song. Berger's words here help us see that our view of art is influenced by a bunch of things we've learned, and I'm expressing with that in my performance.

  1. "I'm an eye. A mechanical eye. I, the machine, show you a world the way only I can see it."

Imagine me saying this: "I'm like a camera capturing a unique view of the world, and I'm using that lens to show you my take on spirituality." Berger's quote here fits perfectly because it's like I'm the machine, and my performance is the snapshot. Through my praise dance and Christian song, I'm revealing a world of faith and celebration from my perspective. I'm not just copying what others do; I'm showing you the world through my eyes, my artistic lens. This quote helps capture the idea that my performance is a personal expression, a way of showing you a spiritual world in a way that's uniquely mine.

  1. "The market price of art is said to be a reflection of its spiritual value, creating a connection between commerce and perceived greatness in art."

Let's break this down: It's like saying the price tag on art is often linked to how people see its spiritual importance. Now, in my performance, where I'm blending praise dance and a Christian song, there's this interesting mix of spiritual depth and the market side of art. Berger's words make us think about how the money stuff and the deep spiritual stuff are connected in the art world. By doing my thing, I'm sort of questioning whether the price tag really reflects the soulful side of art. This quote helps us see that the cash value and spiritual value in art might not always match up, and my performance adds to that conversation by mixing both in a unique way.

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