2016 "making art"

This is the year to "make more art." The collective artists are working on a new theme about "Choice, Chance, Trust" initiated by the biblical reference to the Urim and Thummim.

18:18 is the working title of Christos Collective's upcoming exhibition. At its core, three words sum up the ethos of the theme: choice, chance, trust. The working title, 18:18, is a reference to Proverbs 18:18, and the journey of the exhibition concept has been, in itself, an exercise in trust. The genesis for this theme began with a discussion around what the dimensions of our next pieces ought to be. Seeking meaningful dimensions, our group was led to the dimensions of the ephod worn by the High Priest in Exodus 28. An exploration of the ephod and its related paraphernalia brought up the Urim and Thummin—the stones the High Priest wore in a pouch next to his heart, used for settling disputes. Digging further into this led one of our members to the Proverb, which states, "The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders." The reference, 18:18, consequently, provided ideal dimensions for art pieces.

Interpreting Proverbs 18:18, however, has proved to be a difficult, but meaningful task. What is really at the core of this idea? Is it as simple as leaving decisions up to chance? Or, in that act, are we relying on the sovereignty of God to guide us? Ultimately, it boils down to the paradox between freewill and what seems to be chance, and how trust enters that conflict. Each artist has searched out the relationship of choice, chance and trust that is found in Proverbs 18:18, and have visually interpreted these concepts in their pieces, each 18x18 in size.