Known: Where Do We Belong?
Fall 2026
In the spring, after listening to theologian W. David O. Taylor’s art and faith presentation to our group, and after much follow-up discussion on the importance of belonging in our fragmented and often lonely culture, we the members of Christos Collective chose Known: Where Do We Belong? as a title for our upcoming November art exhibition in Denver, Colorado.¹
Known: Where Do We Belong? is a question, not a conclusion.
A deeper look at the title can be explained with the viewpoint of philosopher Martin Buber in his book of global acclaim, I and Thou, published in 1923².
A simple explanation of Buber’s philosophy in the book can help with explaining our show title.
According to Buber, in an I-It relationship, we treat the other as an object — something to observe, use, categorize, or evaluate. It's how we relate to a chair, a job title, a demographic.
In an I-Thou relationship (or I-You), however, we meet the other as a whole being — present, irreducible, unfinished — and we are met in return. It isn't a transaction. It's an encounter. It can't be scheduled or manufactured; it happens in what Buber called das Zwischen, "the between" — the relational space that opens up when two people actually meet.
For Buber, this wasn't just a nice idea about human connection. He believed I-Thou moments were where the divine becomes present in ordinary life — that every genuine act of meeting another person carries the possibility of touching something eternal. That's what we wanted to portray as well: hospitality as grace, safety as the presence of care, home as something restored rather than simply a location.
I-It thinking sorts people by group. Real belonging is about being met as a Thou: fully seen, without being reduced to what culture, community, history, or family might say about you. Belonging means you are really, truly known. “Known” works first as a welcoming word that is open to interpretation and questioning. That's exactly how we want the show itself to work: accessible on entry, richer the longer you stay.
We've described this show, in the language of the grant that's funding it, as a light in the darkness. Asking the question, “Where do we belong?” helps specify the way in which we seek to clarify what it means to be known. Buber’s I-Thou philosophy helps bring structure to the question. We hope visitors to our show can carry out a better understanding of these words, of what it means to be known, to belong, and how to interact with others so they also may feel a deeper sense of belonging.
¹Exhibit will be at Bitfactory Gallery Nov 20 - Dec 12 2026. This project was made possible through the support of an award from Creo Arts. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Creo Arts.
²1923, 1971 I and Thou Martin Buber