It’s rare that one encounters a soul so vastly creative, and so clearly attuned to the things-that-are. Helena Tulve’s diverse compositional oeuvre finds its common thread in that attunement. She expresses herself with warmth and with precision. Our conversation begins on the subject of the Jesus Prayer and takes right off from there.
Read MoreKim Haines-Eitzen adds to a rich body of work with her most recent book, an exploration of the desert soundscapes that may have shaped the lives and writings of the ancient desert ascetics. We talk about this, and more, in a conversation I recorded from my forest hideaway in Estonia.
Read MoreIn his art and in his thought, George Kordis articulates his ideas with breathtaking clarity. And he is one of the world’s great living iconographers. Enjoy this conversation, recorded in front of a live audience at St. Vladimir’s Seminary.
Read MoreMona Arshi brings all of herself to her poetry: her background as a human rights lawyer, a family lineage deeply embedded in the poetic, and a keen observation of the world—with a commitment to recognize and subvert patterns within that observation. All this makes her a very special interlocutor on her artistic medium.
Read MoreAidan Hart works in multiple media—painting, sculpture, carving, mosaics—to creat liturgical art of stunning beauty. As an author and speaker he also reflects deeply on the nature of the sacred arts, stemming from a profoundly theological vision of creation. Our Luminous conversation, recorded in his studio in Shropshire, visits all these places.
Read MoreThis special episode of Luminous is a tribute to Fr. Ivan Moody—composer, scholar, musicologist, conductor, who impacted so many people and constituencies with his musicality, erudition, warmth, and infectious joy. With guests Alexander Lingas, Peter Phillips, Ivana Medic, Svetlana Poliakova, and Maria Takata-Roszczenko.
Read MoreVesper Stamper writes books for some of the most discerning and important audiences: young adults. And others, but it’s this audience that informs much of our conversation. Her illustrations are as clear and articulate as her writing, and together we are swept up into a narrative of history that means everything.
Read MoreThis conversation with award-winning poet Nicholas Samaras is a reminder of what life can be like when we listen, pay attention, hear the musical lyricism of the world. This is at the heart of poetry, and his in particular.
Read MoreOn this special episode of Luminous, our host talks with two students in the MA Program at the Institute of Sacred Arts. This is an opportunity to meet two exceptional people, and to hear about what the work and ethos of our Institute!
Read MoreApart from our enjoying the arts, even being spiritually uplifted by them, the sacred arts are carrying a message, even a “teaching” that we can attune ourselves to receive. Today’s guest is herself attuned to this, among other dimensions of the arts, which she teaches, writes about, and practices herself.
Read MoreOne of the leading lights of sacred choral music in the world today, Alexander Lingas has so much to offer in a conversation about music from many times and places, East and West, and its unique power in conveying the sacred.
Read MoreWhat does Tim Patitsas mean by his refrain of “beauty first?” That’s one question that made me want to talk with him. We go there. And many other places. As one does, with a thinking, reflective person who has listened to people of wisdom from within and outside the traditional fold.
Read MoreFr Maximos sheds light on so many areas of our existence and our interests, bringing to bear his experience as a monastic, a scholar, and a deep appreciator of the arts in many media. Our connection, in conversation, is exceptional.
Read MoreNun Katherine Weston, an Orthodox Christian monastic, is a pastoral counselor and trauma specialist in private practice. For some 15 years she has been addressing topics central to the basic human experience, integrating an Orthodox Christian worldview with perspectives from current psychotherapies. In addition to racial identities, topics have included loneliness, shame, anger, anxiety, attachment dynamics, and racial reconciliation. Wait ‘till you hear what she says about sacred art…
Read MoreMatt Hinton, documentary filmmaker, rock guitarist, and burrito legend — for all these contributions, each so excellent, the world is a better place with him in it. Join us in our conversation about art, sacredness, and his films.
Read MoreVictoria Emily Jones has the great talent of finding, and bringing to our attention, gems of visual and poetic sacred art. Her blog, Art and Theology, is a trove of content that you might not have found elsewhere. Listen to us discuss her process.
Read MoreOn this special episode of Luminous, some of our previous guests suggested for us their chosen musical selections that evoke the sacredness of the season. The result is a beautiful and diverse, and often surprising playlist of Christmas music. Our gift to you.
Read MoreAndrew Gould’s designs, for churches and other buildings, as well as for furnishings within churches, are exquisitely beautiful. But they are more than that. His vision of sacred art and architecture sets the bar very high—heavenly-high—which is exactly where he thinks it should be.
Read MoreA world-renowned artist and great pedagogue, Bruce Herman speaks eloquently about what art is and what it means to him, notably at this time in his life: newly retired, and with a surprising loss of hearing.
Read MoreComposer, conductor, and general musical visionary Benedict Sheehan is a rising star in the world of sacred choral music. Talking with him, as we do, about music, the sacred, his stutter, and what it means to conduct a choir, is a fascinating, enjoyable experience.
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