Ideas relay (2)

‘Run with the Fire’ simulated the idea of a relay as each artist created their artwork using the idea of another artist as a starting point. In this series of posts we will publish statements from the artists involved in the project describing how they made use of the original idea they were given in creating the final work that they contributed to ‘Run with The Fire’.
Christine Garwood writes:

"I wanted  to create movement with a central core of fire as in the emotion of running the race with passion, love and commitment. These three images form a series of 'frames' which portray this theme of motion and are developed from my original painting ( in watercolour with embroidered stitching) using digital means to produce this idea of running a race. Three elements are represented: - Air, Earth, Fire ......The colours of the blue for the sky and the brown of the earth are intercepted by the warm colours depicting the fire and ice blue and white for the rushing air - this action and the emotion are between the two - between heaven and earth!"

Ideas relay (1)

‘Run with the Fire’ simulated the idea of a relay as each artist created their artwork using the idea of another artist as a starting point. In this series of posts we will publish statements from the artists involved in the project describing how they made use of the original idea they were given in creating the final work that they contributed to ‘Run with The Fire’.

The first comes from Ally Clarke:

"The concept I had been given and that served as the starting point for the work was rich with themes, so I chose to let the concepts of 'The goodness of God', 'God's abundant passion' and aspects of 'The history of the Olympic spirit' to particularly spur me on.  Being a lover of trees I enjoy thinking of the setting for the very early games being in a wooded valley and the winners being crowned with the leaves from the sacred olive tree.  The historical fact of the Olympics being part of festivals resulting from a peace agreement between city states has also worked its way into my thinking for the piece.  Using motifs, colours and form to represent these things, I also worked with oils and colour to express the ideas of goodness and passion.  Blending these ideas I find myself quite liking the unusual notion of a passionate peace...."

Planting the seeds, spreading the flames

Steve Scott of CANA has had an article about 'Run with the Fire', entitled Planting the Seeds, Spreading the Flames, published on the ArtWay website.


In the article he outlines some the ideas behind 'Run with the Fire' detailing the journey of adventures, detours and surprising connections that the project has taken us on so far. He writes that he still view this very much as a beginning, saying who knows where a global/local conversation about art, imagination and peace might go in this chaotic, digitally connected world?

Run with the Fire artists

All the artwork on the Run with the Fire DVD is from the 25 international artists participating in the project, who have each created a new piece of artwork specifically for Run with the Fire.

This project is unusual in that every participating artist has started their artistic journey from an idea or vision statement provided by another artist. This has created a sense of community and energy which comes through clearly in the finished pieces. Different artists, different media, different nationalities but one common purpose– to glorify God through their work.

CANA, commission4mission and Veritasse are delighted to announce the names of participating artists:

• Ally Clarke , England
• Andrew Taylor, England
• Michelle Mattingly, USA
• Bobbette Rose, USA
• Christine Garwood, Wales
• Dietske van Winkelhoff, Netherlands
• Erland Sibuea, Indonesia
• Glenn Lowcock, England
• Jen Smith, Wales
• Hyun-Young Kim , South Korea
• Jae Im Kim, South Korea
• Kirsten Borror, USA
• Jenny Hawke, England
• Heather Distant Taiwo, USA
• Karen Burnett, England
• Nickolay Steffanov, Bulgaria
• Kim Daus Edwards, USA
• Diane Fairfield, USA
• Michelle Arnold Paine, USA
• Miriam Cabello, Australia
• Rick Delanty, USA
• Seong-Kyoo Jeon, South Korea
• Titia Ballot, South Africa
• Whojeong Lee, South Korea (Residing in USA)
• Sue Newham, Wales

Run with the Fire

Run with the Fire is an arts project for the London 2012 Olympics organized by CANA, commission4mission and Veritasse based on the image of fire which links the Church’s Pentecost celebration with that of the Olympic runner.

Aim

Run with the Fire aims to celebrate creativity, cultural exchange and hope for the future by providing a virtual exhibition of international artwork for use in Olympics-themed events organised by churches in 2012.

Artists

25 international artists are participating in Run with the Fire. These artists were selected, from a pool of 45 artists who applied to be part of the project, by an international jury of Dr. Dianne B. Collard (Director of Ministries – Europe, Artists in Christian Testimony International), Martin Crampin (Artist, Researcher and Designer) and Marleen Henglaar– Rookmaaker (Editor-in-Chief, ArtWay).

Artworks

The selected artists began the project by writing a statement to describe their vision of ’running with the fire’ for the other artists involved. Each artist will be creating an artwork, using the idea of another artist as a starting point. This aspect of the project simulates the idea of a relay, with ideas being passed from one artist to the next. Each artist will make their work available electronically for use in the project, so that the mapping of ideas as they travel from one artist to another can become part of the final product.

Resources

Run with the Fire will provide a virtual exhibition of international artwork available on DVD, for display on large scale HD TV or monitor, or for projection using a digital projector. This digital exhibition can be presented as part of Olympics-themed events organised by churches in 2012 plus arts events or exhibitions organized by local churches.

Run with the Fire will also provide an electronic resource package, to accompany the virtual exhibition, which will give ideas for churches on how to organize and facilitate community/arts events. These local events will enrich the experiences of those attending and will provide a context for the Run with the Fire exhibition in each venue. Optimal exhibition spaces include churches, community centres, open air venues (with some covered space), local art galleries etc.

The Run with the Fire resources (virtual exhibition DVD and electronic resource package) will be available at a cost of £50.00. Any profit on the sale of resources from this project will be donated to Oxfam. Churches will bear the costs of putting on any events using Run with the Fire resources, including venue hire, additional publicity and resources used.

Theme

The images that seeded Run with the Fire come from the celebration of Pentecost, with its tongues of fire, new languages, and promise of dreams and visions, plus the Olympic Games, with its running messenger carrying forward the burning torch and its dreams of cross cultural harmony.  The vision of Pentecost, and also of the Olympics, is one of celebration and cross-cultural understanding. As a result, our title Run with the Fire emerged.

Organisers

Three arts groups with international connections (commission4mission, CANA and Veritasse) have come together to organize Run with the Fire. More information about these groups can be found at:  http://cana-arts.blogspot.com/; http://commissionformission.blogspot.com/; and http://www.veritasse.co.uk/.