blogger Josh Duncan

Josh Duncan is a junior at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. 

His blog is called  "Reinhold Marxhausen -- A place where his work can live."   http://www.marxhausen.blogspot.com I caught up with Mr. Duncan at his home in Hickman, Nebraska and conducted this short interview. For the interview in its entirety, click on the 3 minute video below.

Josh: "Well, Reinhold just does art that is fascinating, I like that he is fascinated with light, and I like how he makes connections between his art and his Christian faith. And the idea of accidents, being something that God blesses as well. All that, especially the connection with his faith appeals to me, I think that it is really important for Christian artists to understand that about him."

Karl: "How did you first hear about him?"

Josh: "It was through Professor Anshutz's class. I had heard his name, because it was the Marxhausen Gallery. But all I knew about the Marxhausen Gallery was that it was named after some guy called "Marxhausen." Then, as I saw  his artwork, and especially read and talk about his artwork, then I realized, you know, why he got that gallery named after him... Everybody I talked to, science teachers, guys who went into banking, they all remember Marxhausen, and they all talked about how he changed the way they looked at the world. Everybody, not just art students, were influenced or inspired by him."

Karl: "Who is Anshutz?"

Josh: "Anshutz is the professor of Concordia. He teaches the CLA classes.

The CLA does work for churches across the country."

Karl: "What is the CLA?"

Josh: "The Center for Liturgical Art. (Professor) Anshutz was a student of Marxhausen's. He called him "one of his art dads." He has been encouraging his students to learn more about Marxhausen. The things he taught his art students twenty years ago are true today."

Karl: "What are some of the other names of students who have worked on this project?"

Josh: "Amber Kones is a big one. She founded it originally. Abbey Lange is a graduate who has been working with Anshutz this year. She has put an exhibition together of Marxhausen's work."

Karl: "What year are you at Concordia University?"

Josh: " I am a Junior this year. One more year of studying for me...

I believe that artists ought try to educate others. A lot of artists I think are more interested in just their art career or selling their work. Marxhausen is a guy who helps other people see what he is seeing. He had a lot of events called "Do You See What I See?" I think artists need to be good advocates of why art is important. And Marxhausen was that."

Karl: "Thank you very much."

You can read his posts here. For more about the CLA, click here. 

The men in black, Karl and Josh.