- Tuesday, September 30, 2008
- Job and Culture
- Posted by Zach in News
-
I feel like the Job book is a good example of culture.
Culture is the aggregate of seemingly disparate elements. One adds pigment to oil and combines circles and shapes in such a way as to hide them in the service of a larger display. At the end we have a painting. Or one takes eggs, and sugar, and flour, and water and so combines them that after the addition of heat, one has a new thing that is greater than the sum of its parts–something called delicious cake. At the heart of cultural forms lies a discernment about what to include and what to exclude. This is why boys in Jr. High make bad cakes, because they get intoxicated about all the possible inclusions–Cayenne pepper, Oregano, Dr. Pepper, Skittles … and this is why many of Ad Reinhardt’s blank paintings are poor examples of culture–because they include nothing at all (unless empty is the new full).
Poetry, of course, organizes the haphazardness of prose into forms that provoke an aesthetic effect. Good poetry presupposes discernment in one’s choice of language. The very act of composing rhyming couplets, or alliterative pairings, or metrical lines, brings focus and precision to expression. In the end, when one combines these conventions, there exists a cultural thing we call a poem. I like the Job book because it combines cultural forms. The book is a culmination of Chris Koelle’s art and John Piper’s poem, and the result is better even then a cake. It is a work of aesthetic excellence and theological depth. You should pick up a copy.
As a side note, Danny McNight put together the trailer, and Portland Alumnus Aaron Greene wrote the music. I’m pleased to say that, in my opinion, the elements cement themselves successfully into a small cultural monument, and much like a painting, the whole is better even than the sum of its parts.
categories
Ben
Cory
Justin
Matt
Zach- We are FINALLY switching from salesforce to @37signals Highrise. Anyone have any hints for an easy transition? 53 mins ago
- RT @ZoomInDesign new blog post: Stef Kardos Draws Better than You on His iPhone http://twurl.nl/7wizml - thanks @jordangons 4 hrs ago
- Portland Studios podcast interview with our interactive team about developing NoiseTrade: http://twurl.nl/o2ggg8 8 hrs ago
- More updates...
Powered by Twitter Tools.
past articles
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- March 2007
- January 2007
- November 2006
- October 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- February 2006
4 Responses to “Job and Culture”
The trailer is art. I can’t wait to pick up a copy of the book.
Really, really beautiful and very moving.
Wow, nice narration - the art was also very powerful. Nice.
All the elements in this piece make for a very powerful combination. I am especially moved by the opening graphic of the sacrifical lamb reminding me of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. I am very excited about purchasing this book by my greatest living hero, John Piper. Thanks, PS, for your excellent contribution!