After a wait of almost ten years, I was granted permission to begin my pilgrimage to the Bahá’í World Center, Haifa, Israel, on October 29, 2001. I spent 9 incredible days in Haifa and Akká before returning home to Manhattan, New York City, on November 7th. It was a difficult time to leave my family, so soon after the attacks on our city, but it was the best journey I have ever taken. This call was announced as I prepared to leave and I came back to find my mailbox filled with images that reflect the real or imagined pilgrimages of participating artists worldwide. It was a joy to reflect on them and I am grateful to all the artists for sharing their work and visions with me.
Inner Journey
I thought I would be able to write a short description of the thoughts and feelings I experienced on my pilgrimage, but I find that I am unable to do so. Many moments are too profound to express in mere words. Perhaps poetry could capture certain fragrances, sounds, prayers, tears... but I am unable to compose even a haiku. All I can say is that I hope everyone will consider taking a minute, moment, hour, day, week, or year to move out of their comfort zone and attempt to experience the Divine.
CLICK HERE...
to see a selection of work submitted to the call. The work will be posted online at PictureTrail until June 2004.
"...Peruse that which Isaiah hath spoken in His Book. He saith: 'Get thee up into the high mountain, O Zion, that bringest good tidings; lift up Thy Voice with strength, O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings. Lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah: "Behold your God! Behold the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him."'This Day all the signs have appeared. A Great City hath descended from heaven, and Zion trembleth and exulteth with joy at the Revelation of God, for it hath heard the Voice of God on every side. This Day Jerusalem hath attained unto a new Evangel, for in the stead of the sycamore standeth the cedar. Jerusalem is the place of pilgrimage for all the peoples of the world, and hath been named the Holy City. Together with Zion and Palestine, they are all included within these regions. Wherefore, hath it been said: 'Blessed is the man that hath migrated to ‘Akká.'
Amos saith: 'The Lord will roar from Zion, and utter His Voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.' Carmel, in the Book of God, hath been designated as the Hill of God, and His Vineyard. It is here that, by the grace of the Lord of Revelation, the Tabernacle of Glory hath been raised. Happy are they that attain thereunto; happy they that set their faces towards it. And likewise He saith: 'Our God will come, and He will not be silent.'"
-- Baha'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 144
PILGRIMAGE: Travel Towards the Sacred.
Deadline: November 12, 2002; Open to all work: no larger than 5"x7" x 1/4" (thickness); may include poetry or prose.
Artists were asked to explore the idea of TRANSFORMATIVE TRAVEL - internal or external travel - real or imagined physical movement from one place to another in search of transformation. Where is your sacred garden & how do/will you get there?
Documentation sent to all artists. No Jury. No returns. Exhibition & online showcase in June 2003.
Laurie Early
P.O. Box 1397
Canal Street Station
New York, NY 10013-0877
U.S.A.
