January 8, 2020
Princeton University recently hosted and sponsored a very Catholic event as part of its annual Being Human Festival. It is a multi-hour program dedicated to the expression of St. Cecilia in poetry, painting, and music, exploring how the conversation between these art forms evokes in us wonder and contemplation of God. did. The day’s events included the singing of the Salve Regina and a banquet in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In the first part of this episode, Thomas and co-host James Majewski lead a roundtable discussion with event host Joe Perez-Benzo, painter Andrew De Sa, and singer Emily De Sa reflects on the event and its humanizing and evangelizing effects. participants. Joe explains how he was able to host a clearly Catholic event with funding from an Ivy League university, and wherever God has placed him, other Catholics Suggestions on how this success can be replicated.
In Part 2, Andrew de Sa and poet James Matthew Wilson discuss how one of Andrew’s paintings inspired James’s poem, which in turn inspired Andrew’s painting of St. Cecilia (a Princeton event). A fun look back at the unexpected events that inspired the project (published in 2016). It was only after the fact that the artists realized this mutual inspiration.
Part I
- Festival overview and event concept [4:32]
- Event Religious Demographics [12:33]
- A combination of poetry and painting that attracts the attention of the audience [15:32]
- Singing in a secular space filled with the dynamics of visual elements linked to sacred art and song.
[18:15] - Andrew’s feelings when presenting a new painting for an event [20:04]
- Joe’s experience reading the Latin classics in the places where they were painted and composed – how to overcome the isolation of modern works of art in museums [22:33]
- Sing Salve Regina in “mixed company” [27:25]
- Overcoming Little Resistance to Bring Princeton Humanities Council to Event [28:50]
- Advice on organizing similar events in public places or at home
[36:38] - Involvement of the Carl Schmidt Foundation [40:12]
- Emily De Sa and Ruth Swope perform Gustav Holst’s “Jesu Sweet”
[46:00]
Part II
- Providential influence between Andrew’s paintings and James Matthew Wilson’s poetry [48:31]
- By leaving yourself open to inspiration and associations, a work of art can become more dense with meaning. [54:46]
- Literary critics’ theories on the relationship between the artist’s intention and the viewer’s interpretation [57:17]
- Differentiate and integrate art forms [1:01:40]
- Liturgy as a complete art from which various art forms flow [1:05:44]
Photos and videos:
A time-lapse of Andrew De Sa painting the Escape to Egypt mural:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGRiLg2dTvc
This painting inspired James Matthew Wilson’s line, “Make haste to help those who have fallen.”
But all rising tension must actually be tense
To give form to what is actually light,
and manifest peace as if it were an act
and gives transcendence an arc of flight.
purity of all saints
Although it will be covered with rough paint,
And that no thought can be understood or said.
It has to be taught in the theater production.
These lines inspired Andrew de Sa’s painting of St. Cecilia, which was unveiled at the Princeton event.
Joe Perez-Benzo helps tour participants enter the mystery of the Incarnation as James Majewski looks on.
Emily de Sa and Ruth Swope perform Holst’s work 4 songs for voice and violin At the beautiful Princeton University Art Museum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYhryVUVlFI
Final panel discussion with Joe Perez Benzo, Emily De Sa, and Andrew De Sa:
link
Poem that inspired Andrew de Sa’s painting of St. Cecilia:
http://studiodesa.com/book
Andrew and Emily De Sa’s website: http://studiodesa.com/
Andrew de Sa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajdesa/
James Matthew Wilson website: https://www.jamesmatthewwilson.com/
A celebration of being human: https://beinghumanfestival.org/
John Dryden alexander’s feast: http://jacklynch.net/Texts/alexander.html
Carl Schmidt Foundation: https://carlschmitt.org/
james matthew wilson River of the Immaculate Conception:
https://www.wisebloodbooks.com/store/p96/The_River_of_the_Immaculate_Conception.html
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