Who's Afraid of Modern Art?: Essays on Modern Art and Theology in Conversation

Modern art can be confusing and intimidating--even ugly and blasphemous. And yet curator and art critic Daniel A. Siedell finds something else something much deeper that resonates with the human experience. With over thirty essays on such diverse artists as Andy Warhol Thomas Kinkade Diego Velazquez Robyn ONeil Claudia Alvarez and Andrei Rublev Siedell offers a highly personal approach to modern art that is informed by nearly twenty years of experience as a museum curator art historian and educator. Siedell combines his experience in the contemporary art world with a theological perspective that serves to deepen the experience of art allowing the work of art to work as art and not covert philosophy or theology or visual illustrations of ideas meanings and worldviews. Whos Afraid of Modern Art? celebrates the surprising beauty of art that emerges from and embraces pain and suffering if only we take the time to listen. Indeed as Siedell reveals a painting is much more than meets the eye. So whos afraid of modern art? Siedells answer might surprise you. Dan Siedell is always interesting even to this atheist Jew. He asks important questions about art and belief and helps me better understand my own passions. I love how he writes that modern art is the hell of self-knowledge. So true and so worth asking why. --David Raskin Professor of Art History Theory and Criticism School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago IL The problem with Christians talking about the arts is that Christians are still talking about the problem of the arts. Where others see problems Dan Siedell sees opportunities. If religion is about socialization and control then Siedell expertly reminds us that modern art doesnt play by these rules. When we give up control in the art space Christ is there and He will guide us. This is a landmark work a signal achievement in the field. --Gregory Alan Thornbury President The Kings College New York City NY In addition to being a fan of Dans writing I have heard him lecture on modern art in my seminary class. Christian engagement with art is especially intriguing when done by an actual artist who has spent his adult life in the contemporary art world. Even where other epochs are celebrated modern art is often dismissed by Christians as unintelligible and even offensive. Ive grown in my appreciation for the insights of modern art through Dans expertise and I am sure you will as well. --Michael Horton Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics Westminster Seminary California Escondido CA Daniel A. Siedell is Presidential Scholar and Art Historian in Residence at The Kings College in New York City and Associate Professor of Christianity & Culture at Knox Theological Seminary Fort Lauderdale Florida.