Traveling the world has opened my heart and mind to things I never knew existed. Though we all have a lot in common, traveling out of your comfort zone can highlight some of our differences. We are all have different physical attributes, beliefs, and feelings. Traveling allows us to understand and appreciate these differences. The Ship of Tolerance does just that; it allows us to connect with others from across the globe through art, without ever leaving the comfort of your home.
IIya and Emilia Kabakov are globally recognized artists and the masterminds behind The Ship Of Tolerance. The creation of of the Ship of Tolerance usually takes 3-4 weeks, and it’s “climax” is the raising of the completed sails, which are actually pictures created by local youth. IIya and Emilia appreciate that children have a willingness to learn and that their minds are unspoiled by society’s rules of acceptance, and this is reflected in their art.
Artists Emilia and Ilya Kabakov Photo: Roman Mensing
Children between the ages of 5-12 years old work with local artists to draw pictures that reflect their views of tolerance. An apprentice carpenter from Manchester, England builds the ship from the ground up, and then the pictures are used to create the sails. Visitors can view the ship’s installation process on a daily basis.
The building process
Photo by http://www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk/
Since its first installation in Egypt in 2005, The Ship of Tolerance has continued to educate youth in communities in Russia, Cuba, Miami, St. Moritz, Venice, and Sharjah. Most recently, the Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City had the Ship of Tolerance on display from September 1st- October 6th, 2013. The Ship of Tolerance demonstrates that the language of art is universal.
The Ship of Tolerance sails under the Brooklyn Bridge
To learn more about the Ship of Tolerance, visit them HERE.
This is amazing and the story behind is absolutely wonderful!
Love it! What a great message!
This is beautiful! I wish it would make a stop here in New England!