Hans Arp (1886-1966) was a German-French painter, sculptor, and poet. He was a member of the Dada Art Movement of abstract art. He was fascinated by the possibilities of adding an element of chance to the artmaking process. He used unusual techniques like randomly dropping the pieces of a collage and gluing the pieces down wherever they landed.  For this work, Arp made the woodcut in 1920, tore it into pieces and randomly rearranged it in 1954. Torn-up Woodcut is at the Tate Museum in London.

This piece has a pandemic feel. Even as we are no longer locked away from the world, the re-entered world can still seem strangely unfamiliar. Systems and patterns seem torn, rearranged, uncertain. Many tried and true aspects of everyday life are proving to be unreliable now. We are often required to “tear up” our usual expectations and re-imagine our timelines and goals.

And God is near.

May we remember in these times that God is present in this worldly randomness and each challenge is a call to faith, patience and kindness. May we love God and love one another through it all. Amen.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church