9 Artistic Expressions for the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab (Part 2)

If you haven’t already, you can feast your eyes and your ears on works of art, poetry, music, videos and dance from all corners of the planet on bicentenary.baha.org. These artistic expression, in honour of the bicentenary anniversary of the Birth of the Bab, the Prophet-herald of the Baha’i Faith, are but a glimpse of the creative flourishing that is occuring world-wide.

We previously shared nine artistic expressions found on bicentenary.bahai.org here on Baha’i Blog and here are nine more! Be sure to check out the site for even more inspiring content!

1. Crayon painting inspired by Bab’s mission to prepare humanity

This crayon painting by an artist from La Paz, Bolivia, was inspired by the mission of the Bab to prepare humanity for the coming of Baha’u’llah.

2. Paper art rendering of the title of Bab

This is an artistic rendering of the title of the Bab, which means “the Gate.” It was made from quilled colored paper in Inari, Finland.

3. Art exhibition displays paintings inspired by the bicentenary

An art exhibition in Montreal, Canada, displays one artist’s reflections, captured in paintings, on the life and teachings of the Bab. “I was always very inspired by (the Bab’s early writings), the way that the calligraphy was placed on the page, the expression in the line,” the artist explains. The works are inspired by different concepts, such as devotion to God and the relationship between the intellect and the spirit. Here is one of the pieces that was exhibited.

4. Neighborhood youth beautify bus stop

Young people in Yigo, Guam, recognized an opportunity to contribute to their island’s spiritual life in the lead-up to the bicentenary by hosting weekly gatherings for prayer near a local bus stop before the start of the school day. To beautify the environs, the youth cleaned and refurbished the nearby bus stop by removing graffiti and repainting the structure.

5. Colorful art highlights the oneness of humanity

Reflecting on how they can apply Baha’u’llah’s vision for society in their community, a group of friends have created vibrant dot paintings, a style of indigenous art in Australia. The works also include imagery of the rich nature in the surrounding desert and colored dots symbolizing the peoples of different lands and their inherent oneness.

6. Creative artwork represents calendar made by the Bab

The Badi calendar, used by Baha’is around the world, is a solar calendar of 19 months of 19 days each. This artwork from South Africa represents that calendar in a beautiful array of shapes. It is structured as nested hexagons, with the smallest representing one day, the next size one month, and the largest an entire year. The hexagons representing the days are made of lightweight compressed wood and adorned with different images and passages from the Writings of the Bab. The shapes for each of the month have in their center the month’s name in both Arabic and English. The calendar’s structure emphasizes that we all fit within a unified world of humanity.

7. Exhibition comes to life in Bali, Indonesia

Preparations are nearing completion for an exhibition on the life of the Bab in Bali, Indonesia. The Baha’i community has prepared a fitting display of photographs portraying historic moments in the Bab’s life, connecting visitors to His swift and dramatic ministry.

8. Painting from Kazakhstan

Created for the occasion of the bicentenary by an artist from Kazakhstan, this painting expresses reverence and praise of God, inspired by a well-known Baha’i prayer that begins, “Blessed is the spot….”

 

9. Artwork displays unity

A creative space in Grand Bahama, Bahamas, brought together adults and children to produce a collaborative mural based on a quote from the Bab: “We have created you from one tree and have caused you to be as the leaves and fruit of the same tree, that haply ye may become a source of comfort to one another.”

Be sure to check out bicentenary.bahai.org for more inspiring and uplifting creative expressions in honor of the bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab!

Posted by

Sonjel Vreeland

In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.