In the midst of the increasing chasm of discord and misunderstanding that exists between the Middle East and the West, and between their creeds and cultures, BEYOND BRIDGES, brings together renowned and emerging artists of Middle Eastern origin, using art as a bridge for intercultural and interreligious dialogue.

In this exhibition, BEYOND BRIDGES, 21 Arab, Persian and Jewish artists are focusing on what they hold in common through their cultures and creeds. With the widening divide that exists between the faiths and peoples of the Middle East and the West, this exhibition calls for a whole new kind of movement: one that builds on what we hold in common.

It is more critical than ever that “creative bridges of dialogue” be built enabling us to walk across to meet our neighbor on “the other side”. On the other side of the bridge, we discover, as the early 20th century Lebanese artist and writer Kahlil Gibran, who profoundly bridged East and West, said; “Your neighbor is your other self dwelling behind a wall. In understanding, all walls shall fall down.”
These 21 participating artists from Muslim, Christian and Jewish faith backgrounds through BEYOND BRIDGES are making the case for using that which we have in common as the foundation for the future of our world. The ultimate objective of the exhibition is for it to serve as an “encounter point”, encouraging and enabling new relationships to be made across religions and cultures.

The artworks in BEYOND BRIDGES were originally part of a larger global traveling exhibition titled THE BRIDGE that was showcased in Paris, Cairo, London, Metz, New York, Chicago, Spokane, Portland and throughout the state of Wyoming.

Each artist in BEYOND BRIDGES contributed an original work of art on canvas, wood or paper that is approximately 31.5’ x 24 inches in size and hangs either vertically or horizontally. Also, each artwork includes a plaque with that respective artist’s statement about their piece. The 21 artists represented in BEYOND BRIDGES cover a geographic area of 11 countries, with the majority coming from the Middle East, and are from the three primary monotheistic faith backgrounds (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). Participating artists include women and men, from premier contemporary artists to emerging younger artists, and artists that use a variety of artistic mediums.

About CARAVAN
CARAVAN, which originated out of Cairo, Egypt, is an international peacebuilding arts non-profit that focuses on building bridges through the arts between the creeds and cultures of the Middle East and West. CARAVAN’s experience has shown that the arts can serve as one of the most effective mediums to enhance understanding, bring about respect, enable sharing, and deepen friendship between those of different faiths and cultures. CARAVAN has held interreligious peacebuilding exhibitions in places such as London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral, National Cathedral in Washington D.C., at Ground Zero and The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, on both Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus in London, in Cairo’s Museum of Modern Art, in Rockefeller Chapel in Chicago, etc. For more information, see: www.oncaravan.org

Participating Artists in BEYOND BRIDGES
Azadeh Ghotbi
Galila Nawar
Gamal Ez
Guirguis Lotfi
Hayam Abdel Baky
Helen Zughaib
Hilda Hiary
Hisham Abdallah
Hossam Sakr
Isabelle Bakhoum
Manal Deeb
Mohamed Abouelnaga
Mohamed Monaiseer
Mutaz Elemam
Patrick Altes
Rania El Hakim
Ronen Siman Tov
Sameh Ismael
Siona Benjamin
Yasser Rostom
Valerie Rauchbach

Associated Programs around the Exhibition
CARAVAN’s desire is that BEYOND BRIDGES exhibition serves as a catalyst for the development of a wide range of programs during the course of its running by the host and its local partners that are held with the objective of changing negative perceptions, alleviating fears and creating lasting change in the quest for harmony, coexistence and peace. Examples are concerts, lectures, panels, forums, film screenings, literary readings, drama, dance, etc. Along this line, CARAVAN is able share program ideas that might be helpful and that would naturally fit with the BEYOND BRIDGES exhibition.

Peace building through the Arts between the creeds and cultures of the East and West
www.oncaravan.org / email: oncaravan@gmail.com