Art Moves the Movements that Move the World

Here's a little piece I recently sent to the Mayor of New York, the Ambassador from China, and the heads of the national media and national churches.

 

Dear Friends, 

This Sunday I'd like you to meet a man who I believe he will become the Michaelangelo of the next millenium.  If art moves the movements that move the world, my friend may ultimately have more influence on the culture of China for the next 500 years than Chairman Mao.

I know this may seem like an impossible and outlandish request from the former "Outstanding Journalist" of the University of North Dakota class of 1977 (yeah, that's me), but every once in a while I find something so compelling that I've got to tell somebody.

Here's why:

If Kevin Kelly of Wired magazine is correct in Wired Magazine  http://churchrelevance.com/kevin-kelly-on-the-next-1000-years-of-christianity/, the center of the faith of two billion people will likely move to Asia over the next 500 years.

If that's the case, there is one humble genius of an artist who's struggle through the Cultural Revolution and evolution as an artist may well have more influence on the world since any artist in history.

I would like you to meet him.

   

I am throwing a little reception for Dr. He Qi of Nanjing (www.heqigallery.com) on Sunday, June 24, from 2 - 4 at the Museum of Biblical Art, 1865 West Broadway in New York.  Seven of his originals are on display at the Museum of Bible Art , 1865 W. Broadway, all summer, while his print show goes on display at beginning Thursday, June 28, at  St.  John the Divine - running through Labor Day.  

His "Look Toward the Heavens" show of 27 of brilliant works has been traveling the country for the last two years. Folks as far away as in Japan, Argentina, South Africa and Australia are begging him to come and show, paint, and lecture. He Qi was artist-in-residence at the Overseas Ministry Center at Yale in 2005, and this fall has been invited to do the same at Oxford in England , and to paint a mural in a new mission hours that the Archbishop of Cantebury will dedicate October 26.  He Qi was recently described in a book published at Yale as "Chagall meets Matisse meets Picasso meets the East." 

It would be our great honor to have you join us for the reception Sunday. If you're up for it, we're going out for dinner after that and you'd be welcome to that, too. He Qi just flew to the States from China and only will be in Manhattan for 24 hours - Sunday Morning through Monday morning.

I know your viewers would find his story of learning to paint during the Cultural Revolution (Chairman Mao by day, Raphael's Madonna by night) fascinating.  

I do.

I also know this is very short notice, but thank you much for your kind consideration. If you absolutely can't make it or send someone,  I could arrange a phone interview.

But you gotta ask yourself - if you had a chance to interview Michaelangelo at the moment his genius was about to be unleashed on world, would you do it or send someone else?

(-;

Rev. Rich Melheim

www.faithink.com 

(By the way, He Qi calls me his "free agent." I refuse to be paid for this. I find it an uttery joy and honor. He's a quiet, humble genius who will one day shape the world.)

Comments

[Becky Fox]

Way to go, Rich! I hope you were surprised with one of your recipients coming to the art show today. You're still an "Outstanding Journalist."

Love and good wishes, bro,
Becky