Posts by DSArts

Luminous Journey presented in Edinburgh

Posted by DSArts on Mar 19, 2013

Three films were presented at the first Dazzling Spark Arts Retreat and we hope that film, video and documentaries will play an important part of our Visual Arts Creative Circles in future. We will be seeking reviews from guest writers and also be talking to film makers and producers about their work.  I want to share some thoughts about the first of these we viewed in Edinburgh. Our retreat was held at the Edinburgh Baha’i Centre and coincided with the Centenary of the visit of  Abdu’l-Baha, the head of the Baha’i Faith to Edinburgh in 1913.  The story of Abdu’l-Baha, who endured a lifetime of imprisonment and exile for his teachings, is a remarkable one and continues to inspire thousands of artists, musicians, writers and filmmakers around the world. It was fitting therefore that a new film documenting part of his epic journey to the West received its first UK screening in Edinburgh. Excerpts  “Luminous Journey- ‘Abdu’l-Baha in America -1912” were played at our opening ceremony with the full screening the following evening. Faced with the challenge of documenting 239 days of a remarkable journey across the USA and Canada, Director and producers, Tim and Anne Perry explained the painstaking process of researching, documenting and assembling such a talented team of writers, photographers, actors, musicians, technicians and production personnel in so many locations. As an example of individual initiative they have achieved outstanding results and, regardless of the film itself, we were all left astonished at the sheer scale of the enterprise involved and the remarkable faith and tenacity they demonstrated in pursuing such a complex project. We were all heartened by the stories of how when repeatedly faced by obstacles, criticism or lack of resources, they never gave up and continued to have faith in their artistic vision. In watching the long list of credits one was reminded of the potential of arts based projects to draw so many people together. In this case hundreds volunteered their talents and contributed in so many ways to the making of such an important film. Two points are perhaps worthy of reflection. First, that where spirit leads form will follow. Many artistic creations are a labour of love and often involve personal and material sacrifice, but the financial and logistical challenges of such a major production as this were huge and represent a real triumph of the spirit. Above all, it seems that it is often the clarity of vision and degree of faith in the project that attracts interest and support and makes such achievements possible. Secondly, that the  harmony most of us hunger for in our lives, in our personal relationships, family, community and beyond, is an outcome of a process and is not a product or solid state. We come together through going forward in pursuit of a common objective, a shared vision. In some ways perhaps, art-based...