Visual Music and Calligraphy & Scared Texts
Online Exhibition: https://www.luceartsandreligion.org/visual-music
Research Background The online exhibition, Visual Music: Calligraphy & Sacred Texts, (2021) curated by Jonathan Homrighausen and sponsored by the Luce Center on Religion and the Arts at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, delves into the creative translation of sacred texts into visual forms. This exhibition aims to explore the intersection of religious texts and visual art, highlighting the innovative ways in which sacred writings can be interpreted and expressed through calligraphy.
Research Significance and Contribution Dr. Manny Ling, challenges the traditional notion of calligraphy as merely “beautiful writing.” In today’s globalized world, artists encounter evolving cultural and societal attitudes, technological advancements, and new tools and materials, which necessitate a broader understanding of calligraphy. For this exhibition, calligraphy artists were invited to visually interpret their chosen sacred texts, transforming them into meaningful artworks.
Dr. Ling’s piece, In the Beginning Was the Word (2018), based on John 1:1, exemplifies this approach. The artwork draws a parallel between Western Christian texts and Eastern Daoist philosophy, both of which assert that the world began with words. Dr. Ling’s work underscores the idea that words are fundamental to human existence and creation, emphasizing the profound impact of language in shaping our world.
Reviewed by R.E. Natowicz, CrossCurrents, Volume 71, Number 3, September 2021, pp. 322-328 (Article). Published by The University of North Carolina Press
https://muse.jhu.edu/article/839258
Reviewed in Scripsit: Visual Music, Volume 45, No 1, Winter 2023. Published by the Washington Calligraphers Guild, USA.
