AMEN - A PRAYER FOR THE WORLD
"AMEN- A Prayer for the World" was the 2014 CARAVAN Exhibition of Art, involving 48 premier Middle Eastern and Western artists (from Christian, Muslim and Jewish origins) featuring 48 life-sized 3D fiberglass figures in prayer. Each of the artists was given a life-size fiberglass sculpture in one of four poses of prayer to paint or decorate as they wish. The four forms of prayer, symbolized human diversity, community and the many forms that prayer can take.
As an artistic group from Christian, Muslim and Jewish backgrounds, the artists were making a statement that they together are “praying” for peace, justice and the end to sectarian strife, toward living and working together in harmony. Therefore, “AMEN-A Prayer for the World,” was an aspirational expression of hope and goodwill for the peoples of the Middle East and the rest of the world.
The AMEN exhibition launched in Cairo, Egypt at the Museum of Modern Art, and was followed by exhibitions at National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Over 200,000 people viewed the AMEN exhibition at these three venues.
A percentage (30%) of the proceeds from all contributions for the sculptures were channeled to Tawasol, an Egyptian NGO, to fund building and operating a school in Ezbet Khairallah within Istabl Antar in Old Cairo, one of the poorest slum areas in the city.
The AMEN exhibition was sponsored by SODIC, a real estate development firm in Egypt. Program partners included the British Council, Syra Arts and United Religions Initiative (URI).
CURATORS
Paul G. Chandler
Dr Reda Abdel Rahman
An author, art curator, social entrepreneur, and peacemaker, Paul G. Chandler has lived and worked extensively throughout the Middle East and North Africa in leadership roles within faith-based publishing, relief and development agencies and with the Anglican Communion. He has curated exhibitions in places like St. Paul’s Cathedral-London, Egypt’s Museum of Modern Art, Washington D.C.’s National Cathedral, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
Dr Reda Abdel Rahman is an Egyptian artist who lives and works in New York. He has enjoyed a prolific international career in the arts. He is also known for his vision of promoting artists and the Egyptian art scene. Dr Abdel Rahman's works have been widely exhibited around the world and are held in numerous collecitons. He has also received important residencies, such as at Mana Contemporary.
ARTISTS
The 48 participating artists included 30 Egyptian and 18 Western contemporary artists. A wide spectrum of artists were invited to take part, including renowned, established and emerging visual artists, men and women, and artists from Muslim, Christian and Jewish faith backgrounds.
Gamil Shafik
Hamdy Reda
Hesham Nawwar
Hisham El Zeiny
Hossam Sakr
Karim Abd El Malak
Khaled Sorour
Maha George
Mahmoud Hamdy
Marwa Adel
Mohamed Abla
Mohamed Abou El Naga
Mohamed El Masry
Mohamed Shaker
Neveen Taher
Reda Abdel Rahman
Salah El Meligy
Souad Abdel Rasoul
Tarek El Sheikh
Wael Darwish
Ahmed Abdel Karim
Ahmed Shiha
Ahmed Talal
Ammar Abou Bakr
Amr El Kafrawy
Dahlia Refaat
Emad Abdel Wahab
Farghali Abdel Hafiz
Farid Fadel
Gamal Lamie
EGYPTIAN ARTISTS
WESTERN ARTISTS
United States
Amy E. Gray
Anne Barber-Shams
Arthur Goldberg
Cherie M. Redlinger
Christina Saj
Daniel Bonnell
Deborah Sokolove
Helen Zughaib
Katherine Nelson
Kiki McGrath
Lilianne Milgrom
Lynn Goldstein
Siona Benjamin
Thomas Xenakis
Trudi Y. Ludwig
United Kingdom
Roland Prime
Claire Marie Pearman
France
Anne-Francoise Giraud
VENUES
June 17 - July 15 2014
Museum of Modern Art
Cairo, Egypt
August 30 - October 6 2014
National Cathedral
Washington D.C., USA
Cathedral of St John the Divine
New York City, USA
October 12 - November 23 2014
ADDITIONAL EVENTS
National Cathedral, Washington D.C.
VISIO DIVINA & Education
September 17, 2014
Latin for “divine seeing,” Visio divina is a method for praying with images.
Visio Divina invites us to see at a contemplative pace. To explore the whole of an image; seeing deeply, beyond first, past initial ideas, judgments, or understandings. It invites us to Observe, Connect, Respond, and Be with. Using the AMEN figures, it was a contemplative time focused on the spiritual connectedness of all cultures.
The exhibition was also accompanied by other programs including various open houses, visits by schools as part of their religious curriculum programs.
9/11 UNITY WALK
September 21, 2014
The National Cathedral is one of the houses of worship along Embassy Row that was visited by thousands of people as part of the 9/11 Unity Walk for the International Day of Peace.
The event brought together Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists who visited the exhibition.
Cathedral of St John the Divine
LITERATURE
October 14, 2014
"Come Share My Meal: Poets from the Arabic Diaspora"
Under the direction of the illustrious poet Marilyn Nelson, a recipient of The Frost Medal for “distinguished lifetime achievement in poetry,” and the Poet-in-Residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, poems were read by poets Sinan Antoon, Marilyn Hacker, Nathalie Handal, Samuel Hazo, Lawrence Joseph and Deema K. Shehabi.
MUSIC
October 22, 2014
"Sufi Songs of Love: Rumi, Hafiz, & Yunus"
A concert with Amir Vahab & Ensemble
Amir Vahab, called by The New York Times an “ambassador for a silenced music,” is considered one of the most celebrated and distinguished composers, performers and vocalists of Sufi and Middle Eastern folk music. For more information on Amir Vahab and his music: www.tanbour.org