"Faith... is the art of holding on to things your reason once accepted, despite your changing moods." – C.S. Lewis
The Festival had initially chosen Art & Religion as the 2012 theme. However, in light of the applications received as well as in view of our desire to be as inclusive as we can in terms of the Festival's offerings, we have broadened the theme to Art & Faith.
Faith is not unlike religion, but goes beyond to include belief and confidence entrusted in a set of doctrines, tenets, systems, theories or individuals from religious orders, to culture, dietary preferences, even our favourite brand of clothing. The symbols, rites and rituals we develop based on our faith affect the external world, and are themselves defined, constrained and morphed according to the limits of this same world.
Human tendency is to use institutionalised faith for our own purposes, at times with disregard to differing opinions and minority voices, thus resulting in arrogance and judgemental behaviour. It is folly to believe that our faith should dictate the manner which others should live by. Should our faith in specific institutions limit our faith in human engagement and connection, in compassion and inclusion?
Can art serve to bridge these gaps of difference and/or indifference?
Artists have, for centuries, defended the freedom to question and critique, immunizing art and advocating its integrity. Yet the notion of respecting differences may conflict with this freedom of expression. Is there a way then to question and/or critique without disrespect, or does art (at its fundamental core) own the right to comment in whatever way it wishes? Is there such a thing as a fundamentalist approach to the faith in art?
"Faith is the pierless bridge supporting what we see unto the scene that we do not." – Emily Dickinson
Can faith provide a platform that - like art - encourages interaction, negotiation and understanding, through confidence and belief in present tenets, to create an unseen and better future for one and all?
Join the Fringe as we interrogate and reflect on the explosive relationships between art and faith.
(Source: The Necessary Stage Programme