“The Biblical story is just as contemporary as it is ancient. Communication is more important now than ever and the fascination of languages and the diverse peoples who speak them can be a life-long passion.

 We live today in an era of technological dominance and mass media, whose is bigger, better, makes more money. World population increases faster than a colony of rabbits, buildings grow higher, closer together, squeezing out the green. There is an increasingly larger gap between the wealthy and the average. The language behind our technology, underlying our cars, our spaceships, our televisions, our skyscrapers is becoming English. The theme of Towers and a single language is not farfetched.“

“The story of the Tower of Babel is well known in most cultures. It is not only a story out of Genesis, the first Book of the Hebrew Bible, it is also an allegory of the human condition. It is particularly interesting to those who deal with language, letters and writing.
 
The concept of an exhibit with the theme “The Tower of Babel” is especially appropriate following  the founding of the European Union. Suddenly packaging is covered with information in not just 2 or 3 languages as previously, but in 20 or 25 languages. From all countries of the world: Europe, Asia, South America. It was a cornucopia of scripts and languages. Rather than throw away the cardboard and plastic packaging, it could make an interesting artist’s book.
 
In 2015 a group of artists founded VIS – Venetiae Incipit Scriptorium and organised courses, activities and exhibits. After the international exhibit “VOLUMEN ET ROTULUS” The Tower of Babel was proposed to follow the same guidelines. The concept of multiple languages written in multiple scripts could appeal to a broader range of artists: However, the exhibit is open not only to lettering artists, but also calligraphers, painters, sculpters, book artists, printers and even philosophers; and not only to VIS members but to anyone wishing to participate. The choice of text is up to the artists and all forms of artistic expression and in any language are welcome.
 
The Biblical story is just as contemporary as it is ancient. Communication is more important now than ever and the fascination of languages and the diverse peoples who speak them can be a life-long passion.
 
We live today in an era of technological dominance and mass media, whose is bigger, better, makes more money. World population increases faster than a colony of rabbits, buildings grow higher, closer together, squeezing out the green. There is an increasingly larger gap between the wealthy and the average. The language behind our technology, underlying our cars, our spaceships, our televisions, our skyscrapers is becoming English. The theme of Towers and a single language is not farfetched.
 
Towers as art is exciting; languages maintain our diversity, exhibits keep us aware of what is important. It is our way of saying, let diversity live, let differences survive, let us struggle to understand. As one artist put it: The show is very beautiful. 45 artists from around the world, all different from one another: book artists, textile artists, engravers, calligraphers, art quilt , it is all beautiful and all works together in harmony.
 
As an added quality to the show, a communal tower is being constructed. Everyone, from toddlers to great-grandparents, artist or not, can make a paper brick which folds up and is then reconstructed to build the tower during the show.“

Location: Gallery ARTI 3160, San Marco 3160, Salizada Malipiero, 30124 Venezia, Italia. Exhibition Period: Jan. 30 – Feb. 15, 2020. Curator: Kathy Frate incipit@venetiaescriptorium.it