Jaron Crespi - Week 3

TEN LENSES: Tent of Meeting

1. Content: What is the issue, need, idea or opportunity addressed by this project?

The overall idea addressed by this project is that God is a father and He both is and desires to be very near to us.

2. Form: What medium and techniques were used to embody the content?

The techniques used to embody this content include turning the ROD concert hall into the inside of a tent representing the tabernacle which was the dwelling place of God during the reign of King David in Israel. There are dancers performing along with music to represent the worship that happened in the tabernacle during that time, which for 33 years there was no requirement for animal sacrifices for sin because King David instituted 24/7 worship in the tabernacle. There was no sacrifice required because God does not take pleasure in animal sacrifices, but in a broken spirit and contrite heart that desires to be covered by His love and in His presence. The live lighting/visuals represent the heavenly experience of the tabernacle during those 33 years because when people would go into the tabernacle they would walk into and be in the midst of the throne room of God.

The idea of this piece ultimately is for the community to engage with one another the way community engaged with one another in the Garden of Eden before the fall of man - in the context of home (a place where love rules) and family (people who are in covenant relationship with God as their father). The tabernacle set represents this home and the people gathering together represent this family (there will be no chairs and the audience will sit along the perimeter of the stage on pillows/rugs). The dancers will be going back and forth from the audience and stage to show that this experience of immersion is not only for those on stage but for those off as well.

3. Context: What are the circumstances and setting that frame our understanding of this project?

Everybody has their own history with this topic which will definitely frame the understanding of it at face value. However, I believe that this project will break down walls that are divisive of the pursuit of love and unity.

4. Stakeholders: Who can affect or be affected by this project?

Everybody who takes part in either the performance or audience both affects and is affected by this project.

5. Audience or communities engaged: For whom and/or with whom was this project created?

This project has a very large number of collaborators spanning multiple disciplines of art within the school. The main idea is that of my own but the execution can only happen by everybody involved pulling their weight and contributing each in their own unique way. This piece is created with God for family, then friends, then for the greater CalArts community.

6. Engagement strategies: How were the stakeholders, audiences, and community members engaged in this project? How were the goals of the project advanced?

TBA

7. Resources: What tangible or intangible resources were used to pursue the project's goals?

TBA

8. Goal: What are the project's objectives?

For every single person in the ROD to experience love.

9. Outcomes: What were the results and the impact of this project? Did they match the goals?

TBA

10. Values: What were this project's guiding values and/or core beliefs?

The core belief of this project is that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross became the way for my body to become this tabernacle or "tent of meeting." Because of the price that he paid, within me lives the Spirit of the living God and His desire is for my life to be the tent of meeting that this project represents. I am a redeemed man. Every ounce of fear, shame, guilt, hypocrisy, anxiety, depression, suicidal tendencies, cynicism, anger, sexual misuse and substance abuse has been nailed to the cross with Christ, and what has been resurrected in my life is boldness, courage, strength, hope, joy, peace, love, kindness, patience, self-control, and an intimate relationship with my Father in heaven. All the death that once dominated my soul has been swallowed up by the abundance of life given to me through the Holy Spirit, and the blueprint of this transformed life is expressed in the tent of meeting. This transformed life is not something that is to be grasped or held onto by me, but to be given away freely. Where I go, the home and family of God goes as well. Where I go a place where love rules happens because of the covenant relationship I have with God because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, sealed by the person of Holy Spirit. "Tent of Meeting" is the physical expression of my spiritual reality.