Today's Gospel in Art - If a wheat grain dies, it yields a rich harvest

Sunflower seeds, by Ai WeiWei , 100 million painted porcelain seeds, 2008-2010, © Ai WeiWei, Tate Modern, London

Gospel of 10th August 2019 - John 12: 24-2

Jesus said to his disciples: 'I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life.

If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.'

Reflection on the Contemporary Art Installation

This work here is by Chinese artist Ai WeiWei, originally conceived in 2010 for a large show at Tate Modern London, where 100 million seeds were covering part of the ground floor (the image shows people walking on top of the seeds). The astonishing thing is that all these sunflower seeds are made of porcelain and hand-painted by 1,600 artisans who worked two an a half years to complete the task in China. Quite astonishing numbers and stats. After composing, moulding, baking at 1,300 degrees, polishing and hand painting, each single seed is completely unique and unpredictable. Ai WeiWei is one of China's most influential artists of our generation.

He chose to make this work, as to him seeds embody multiple symbolic meanings....

To read on, (and see a video) visit: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/138