Forefront 360

Discussion: What We've Been Creating

Rich, Nate, Zack and Dan discuss what they've been creating recently.

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Interview: Josh Graham

Forefront board member Zack Osinski talks to percussionist Josh Graham about music, church, racial reconciliation, and the joys and challenges of life as a musician.

Review: Netflix's "A Week Away"

The Christmans and the Mancinis review "A Week Away," Netflix's new musical set at a Christian camp.

Interview: Misato Pang

Rich Christman interviews painter Misato Pang. Born and raised in Hong Kong to Japanese and Chinese parents, Misato migrated to the United States during late adolescence. Up until recently, she lived in New York City and relocated to St. Louis in the past year. Misato's works overlap personal narrative and cultural events, some of which allude to current social phenomenon and political discourse in Asia. She has participated in various residencies and exhibitions in the United States and Japan. Her most recent solo exhibition, "Breakdown", was a two-part exhibition that guides viewers through phases of the artist's creative process using verbal and visual languages. The synthesis of visual and auditory cues recreate spaces and moments in time, hence inviting the viewers to reflect and enter these intimate spaces that happened in isolation and solitude.

We invite you to enjoy this multi-layered conversation about faith, artistry, and identity.

Review: Justin Bieber's "Freedom" EP

Cody and Rich review Justin Bieber's new (explicitly Christian) EP "Freedom."

Discussion: Are Video Games Art?

Rich, Cody, and special guest Aaron Lowin discuss whether video games count as "art."

Interview: Makoto Fujimura

“You can walk on water if you are painting it.” 

Forefront leaders Nate Mancini and Rich Christman had the opportunity to speak with renowned artist Makoto Fujimura about the intersection of art and faith. In this far-reaching conversation, they talk about Mako’s routines & practices, his slow process of creation, how artists can bring God’s abundance to a world of scarcity, and ultimately, how Christ is deeply present in our experiences of darkness & trauma. 

As a special bonus, we conclude with some audience questions from artists like singer/songwriter Sandra McCracken and tap dancer Andrew Nemr.

Makoto Fujimura (b. 1960, Boston) is a leading contemporary artist whose process driven, refractive “slow art” has been described by David Brooks of New York Times as “a small rebellion against the quickening of time”. 

Fujimura’s art has been featured widely in galleries and museums around the world, and is collected by notable collections including The Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo, The Huntington Library as well as Tikotin Museum in Israel. 

Fujimura is also an arts advocate, writer, and speaker who is recognized worldwide as a cultural influencer. A Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts from 2003-2009, Fujimura served as an international advocate for the arts, speaking with decision makers and advising governmental policies on the arts.

Fujimura founded the International Arts Movement in 1992, now IAMCultureCare, which oversees the Fujimura Institute. Most recently, he co-founded the Kintsugi Academy.

We are honored to share this special interview.

Arts Review: East of Eden, Turkish music, Fleet Foxes

In this new arts review episode:

• Nate reads a passage from East of Eden by John Steinbeck
• Zack discusses music by Brenna MacCrimmon and Selim Sesler
• Rich reviews "Shore" by Fleet Foxes

 

Review: Pixar's "Soul"

Cody, Rich and Nate review Pixar's latest film, "Soul." What were the best moments? Was the film overstuffed? What does it try to "say" about the spiritual realm, and do those ideas align with a Christian worldview? And finally, what are the top 5 Pixar films of all time?

Interview: Victoria Moore

Zack talks to Victoria Moore about all things music therapy — what it is, why it works, and how it integrates with her faith and life experience.