CARAVAN’S “AMEN: A PRAYER FOR THE WORLD” EXHIBITION IN WASHINGTON DC AND NEW YORK CITY
After its successful launch in Cairo at the Museum of Modern Art, Caravan’s 6thExhibition of Visual Arts: “Amen – A Prayer for the World” , will open first at Washington D.C.’s world-renowned National Cathedral and then on to New York City’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral.
The exhibition is focusing on Egypt and the United States. Entitled "AMEN--A Prayer for the World,” 48 premier and emerging artists (30 Egyptian-both Muslim and Christian, and 18 Western--Christian and Jewish) were invited to participate in this unique visual. Each of the 48 participating artists has been given a life-size fiberglass sculpture in one of four poses of prayer to paint or decorate as they wish. The ‘model’ for the sculptural prayer form is Amun, the deity of ancient Thebes in the 11th dynasty (c. 21st century BC) who is considered the first to develop religion toward monotheism. The four sculptural forms therefore communicate a modern essence of Amun, each depicted with his face. In this exhibition the historic figure of “Amun” is being associated with the word “Amen,” an affirmation commonly used to conclude Christian, Muslim and Jewish prayers or blessings. The four different poses of prayer, in a life-size 3D fiberglass human form have been sculpted for this exhibition by the noted Egyptian artist Reda Abdel Rahman. With the theme “AMEN—A Prayer for the World,” the exhibition seeks to express the deep, fundamental human acknowledgement of power and hope in the universe, for all peoples.
The exhibition is sponsored by SODIC, a real estate company in Egypt, and supported by the British Council, It is co-curated by CARAVAN Founder/President, Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler and celebrated Egyptian artist Reda Abdel Rahman
Three artists represented by Syra Arts’ artists are participating in the exhibition: Reda Abdel Rahman, Helen Zughaib and Marwa Adel.