URN Art Project

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!”

U R N Art Project:



It was a typical chilly Saturday evening in Trafalgar Square…

There were scattered tourists and locals just starting to party. And there I was above their heads, getting tangled in fishing wire and audio cables while trying to remember what I just said 3 seconds earlier. I was also being christened with new nicknames like ‘wasteman’ and ‘God-botherer’. Then a lime green dog appeared from the sky behind me, waving hello. No, it wasn’t a bad dream. It was art (I think).

My beloved Pamela thought it would be funny to sign me up to be a ‘living scultpure’ on the infamous 4th Plinth Project in the centre of London. It’s where 36,000 people signed up for one of 2,400 one-hour slots to do anything or do absolutely nothing at all (some slept, others got naked). All places were booked and I was sure nothing would actually happen. The very next day I was told I had been given some one’s canceled spot at prime time on Saturday. I had exactly 30 hours to sort something out (if I didn’t sleep).

The pressure was on and lots praying went down, but in typical Brandon fashion, a solid idea did not appear until hour #11. To skip most of the dramatics, let’s just say I shouldn’t have even been allowed up there due to my forgotten passport, proof of address, late arrival, etc, etc. I literally ‘gave-up’ 3 times that night, but somehow I was still hoisted up on the plinth with untested equipment and half a clue of what I was I going to do.

I care not to explain what I meant to say or didn’t get time to finish that night. It basically felt like a psychedelic time warp. I was left with 3mins to wrap up what I planned to do in 15. Then came the dancing green dog to take my place on the plinth. Talk about a concentration breaker! I am so glad I don’t take drugs anymore cause that dog would’ve really messed me up.

After the crane ride down, I was interviewed by the One & Other project team who asked me polite, yet provoking questions like:

“Out of all the things to say and do in the world, how did you choose what to do this evening?”

“Do you feel like a different person now that you’ve come down?”

“What is the most important thing in your life at the moment?”


(All asked in voice that resembled the elf queen, Galadriel, in Lord of the Rings)

As if my day hadn’t been strange enough! It was like a post-alien abduction interrogation.

I did my best to be a clear-headed representative of Jesus and cite Him as my main inspiration. How He just loved to do strange things that would stick in the minds of many, and let them tick away until the time bomb of revelation came. I’m a big fan of straight forward street preaching and have done it loads of times here*, but I also know the power of the parable to start as a bug in the ear grows into a mind blowing butterfly, revealing all the colours that truth contains.

I admit, I used to be quite disappointed that Jesus never left us a painting or at least a signed piece of handmade furniture. Instead He performed peculiar yet potent signs and wonders with wine, mud and spit.

Now I can see that His main art projects were the raw and ready lives of His friends; shaped and coloured by the timeless technique of trial and error. Their assignment: to cover the earth with spiritual graffiti in His name. This is an ongoing work that keeps getting ‘written over’ by the next generation, but that’s the way it was always supposed to be.

I just hope I can add some colour and funk to the overall picture with these few ‘hours’ I’ve been given. Whether it’s on a platform or a bus stop, the real spotlight upon us is much brighter than any halogen bulb on earth.

What will you do with your hour?

Sincerely,
Unfinished and Unrefined (until our time) Munoz
WWW.FREEDOMHOUSE.ORG.UK

PS: My favourite part of the whole night was hearing the voices and seeing the faces of the Freedomhouse family who came to share in my embarrassment. Thanks Guys! You are the real reason I am here.


Got a spare 63 minutes? Watch the me fish for people here.
(You can fast forward through the boring bits)

*Street Preaching of any kind is pure guts given by God’s grace alone. Try it sometime in your own style with His power. There are few greater thrills on earth