Faith's Power: Avoiding Chaos And Pandemonium

Have Faith or Pandemonium is a video artwork by Rob Kennedy, exhibited at the CCA Center for Contemporary Arts Glasgow in 2010. The title evokes a choice between belief and chaos, a theme that resonates across contexts, from religion to prison life, as depicted in the Red vs. Blue fan fiction story also titled Have Faith or Pandemonium. In the face of crises, such as pandemics, the choice between faith and pandemonium becomes more critical, shaping individual and collective responses to uncertainty and fear.

'Have Faith or Pandemonium' is a video by Rob Kennedy

Have Faith or Pandemonium is a video by Rob Kennedy, a London-born artist who lives and works in Glasgow. The video was released in 2009/2010 and was shown at the CCA Center for Contemporary Arts Glasgow from 24 August to 28 August 2010. The video has a variable length.

Kennedy's work often draws together disparate elements to provoke a series of abrupt relationships and destabilise certain conventions. This allows the individual elements to find new formulas to narrate their existence. The video showcases a diverse range of artists' film and video, reflecting on the colour black.

The title Have Faith or Pandemonium conveys a sense of choice or consequence. "Have Faith" suggests a call to believe or trust in something, while "Pandemonium" represents chaos or disorder. The work explores the tension between these two states and the impact of their interplay.

The video features a series of vignettes or scenes that depict everyday actions and interactions. A man drops a screwdriver, a woman sits on a chair, a man mops the floor, someone says "sorry", and a woman shakes her head. These mundane activities are repeated, with the characters rehearsing their lines, creating a sense of ritual or performance. The work invites viewers to reflect on the relationships between the characters and the underlying narratives that bring them together.

It was exhibited at the CCA Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow

The CCA Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow is a non-profit, multi-purpose centre for contemporary art and culture. It is located in the heart of Glasgow's city centre and vibrant cultural community. The CCA curates thought-provoking and often experimental work, providing a platform for a collaborative, civic-led programme. This serves as a catalyst for new ways of thinking and active engagement.

The CCA hosts a year-round programme of exhibitions, events, films, music, literature, workshops, festivals, and performances. The centre works collaboratively with more than 200 programme partners annually. At the core of all CCA activities is the desire to work with artists, develop relationships with communities across Glasgow and beyond, commission new work, and provide a welcoming and accessible space for diverse audiences to enjoy art and culture.

The CCA curates three visual art exhibitions each year, featuring local, national, and international artists. These exhibitions are free to attend, with accompanying talks and events that offer visitors a deeper engagement with the exhibition themes. The CCA is also home to the Intermedia Gallery, which showcases emerging artists through an open call.

The exhibition 'Have Faith or Pandemonium' by Rob Kennedy was showcased at the CCA from 24 August to 28 August 2010. The exhibition was a video piece with a variable length, screened in CCA 4 (cinema) and open to all ages. Rob Kennedy, a Glasgow-based artist, creates videos and objects that bring together disparate elements to provoke abrupt relationships and destabilise conventions. 'Have Faith or Pandemonium' was part of the Reflections on Black programme at the CCA in 2010, which showcaseed diverse artists' films and videos.

It features a prison ship in deep space

In the vast emptiness of deep space, a prison ship travels towards its destination. On board, Agent Washington, a former member of Project Freelancer, finds himself in a dire situation. He is confronted with the unexpected presence of another inmate, Colorado, who has invaded his cell and is making himself rather comfortable. Washington's anger and frustration are palpable as he discovers his personal space violated.

Colorado, unfazed by Washington's icy glare, approaches him with a cheerful and playful attitude, sashaying towards him with outstretched hands. Washington, however, is not in the mood for pleasantries and crosses his arms, meeting Colorado's gaze with a steely stare. The music, blaring from within the cell, quiets down, though Colorado makes no apparent move to adjust it.

The tension between the two inmates is palpable, and their exchange is filled with subtle threats and underlying tension. Colorado reveals that he is Washington's new roommate, as his previous one had gone "nuts" and requested a switch. Washington, known as "Wash," is keenly aware that his new cellmate is fully aware of his true identity and the circumstances that led him to this prison ship. He realizes that Colorado and his associate, Alaska, are on this ship intentionally and have a plan for escape.

As the conversation unfolds, Washington discovers that Colorado and Alaska believe he is also on the ship by choice, unaware of the true reasons for his incarceration. Washington is faced with a difficult decision: to stick with this unlikely pair and potentially escape or to keep his distance, knowing that Alaska would kill him if they discovered the truth about his past. The prison ship, lost in the vastness of deep space, becomes a microcosm of intrigue, secrets, and the delicate balance of alliances.

Washington, an angsty and complex character, must navigate this treacherous landscape, weighing his options and calculating his next move. The prison ship, a place of confinement and isolation, becomes a setting where alliances are formed, secrets are kept, and the prospect of freedom hangs in the balance.

It explores the nature of faith and science

"Have Faith or Pandemonium" is a video artwork by Rob Kennedy, exhibited at the CCA Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow in 2010. The work explores the nature of faith and science, particularly in the context of a pandemic.

The title "Have Faith or Pandemonium" suggests a choice between belief and chaos, order and disorder, or rationality and irrationality. The work examines the tension between faith and science, and how these two concepts can be at odds with each other, especially during times of crisis.

The video depicts a series of disparate elements, including a man dropping a screwdriver, a woman sitting in a chair, a man mopping the floor, and a man saying sorry, among other things. These scenes are replayed, with the characters rehearsing their lines, creating a sense of repetition and inevitability. Kennedy's work often brings together disparate elements to provoke abrupt relationships and destabilize conventions, allowing the individual elements to find new formulas to narrate their existence.

The exhibition of "Have Faith or Pandemonium" coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused churches to cancel services and move to online worship. This created a unique context for the exploration of faith and science. On the one hand, people were turning to faith and religion for comfort and answers during the pandemic. On the other hand, scientific explanations and solutions were being sought to understand and combat the virus.

The work also comments on the role of the media and religious institutions in shaping public opinion and influencing people's responses to the pandemic. The media's tendency to sensationalize crises and the conflicting messages sent by some Christian faith traditions contribute to the sense of pandemonium. Meanwhile, the responses within the Orthodox Churches to the pandemic, such as the discussion around the Eucharist and kissing icons, highlight the lack of a common mindset about the nature of ecclesiastical life.

It reflects on the role of the Church during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a crisis that has affected people's lives in numerous ways, and the Church has had to adapt to this new reality. The Church's response to the pandemic has been varied, with some churches choosing to cancel services and move to online worship, while others have continued to hold in-person services.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Church has played a significant role in providing spiritual guidance and support to its congregation. Many churches have had to adapt to new ways of worshipping, such as moving services online or encouraging social distancing and the use of face masks during in-person services. The Church has also had to address the spiritual and emotional needs of its members, offering comfort and hope during a time of uncertainty and fear.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the title "Have Faith or Pandemonium" reflects the choice that people face between having faith in God and trusting in His mysteries, or giving in to the chaos and disorder that the pandemic has brought. The Church has been a source of faith and hope for many people during this time, offering a sense of stability and community. However, it has also been a source of conflict, with some churches sending conflicting messages about the nature of the pandemic and how it should be addressed.

The response of the Church to the COVID-19 pandemic has been a topic of debate and discussion. On the one hand, some people argue that the Church should be a source of comfort and hope during a time of crisis, providing spiritual guidance and support to its congregation. On the other hand, others criticise the Church for sending conflicting messages and not adequately addressing the scientific realities of the pandemic.

Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a unique challenge to the Church, and its response has had a significant impact on how people perceive its role and relevance in modern society. The Church has had to navigate a fine line between providing spiritual guidance and adapting to the scientific and medical realities of the pandemic. The title "Have Faith or Pandemonium" captures the dichotomy that the Church and its congregation have faced during this time.

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