PARIS.- Following the recent tragedy in Paris and in the midst of the increasing chasm of discord and misunderstanding that exists between the Middle East and the West, and between Christians, Muslims and Jews, the 7th CARAVAN Exhibition of Visual Art titled The Bridge opened in Paris, France at the historic Church of Saint Germain des Prés in the Latin Quarter, the oldest church in Paris, during February 2015 to commemorate the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week.

Through the founding sponsorship of SODIC from Egypt, The Bridge is an East-West traveling art exhibition organized and curated by CARAVAN, an inter-religious and intercultural peacebuilding NGO. It showcases the work of 47 premier contemporary visual artists of Arab, Persian and Jewish backgrounds. As a multi-religious group, the artists are making the case for using that which we have in common as the foundation for the future of our world.

The Bridge opened on February 2, 2015 with a month-long exhibition in Paris, France and will then travel throughout Europe, to Egypt and the United States, and will be held in a variety of venues (cathedrals, museums, galleries, interfaith centers, etc) before closing in 2016.

As the exhibition travels, it takes with it a fundamental message of intercultural and interreligious harmony and provides a link not only within communities but also between communities. The Bridge serves as a common starting point on which to build, toward seeing the development of a world that inherently respects and honors cultural and religious diversity, living and working together in harmony.

The Bridge exhibition involves a diverse range of Arab, Persian and Jewish visual artists. Participating artists include women and men, from premier contemporary artists to emerging younger artists, from the three primary monotheistic faith backgrounds and 13 countries. Each artist has submitted one original work (done specifically for the exhibition) addressing the theme “The Bridge,” focusing on what they hold in common through their cultures and creeds, illustrating their ideas of how to build bridges between us all.

The Bridge is co-curated by CARAVAN Founder/President, Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler and noted artist, Lilianne Milgrom.