Art is Worship – Valpariso Bahá’í Tour

Our destination was Santiago, Chile to be part of the first 5,000 Bahá’ís from around the world to participate in the dedication of the new Bahá’í House of Worship in Penalolen (Santiago, Chile). During this spiritual visit, we traveled approximately 90 minutes northwest and came across what we believe to be the greatest street art in the world in Valparaíso.

Vulnerable, heart wrenching, exquisite, powerful, bold art that penetrated the eyes and hearts to specifically feel both the pain and joy of the artist and people of Chile.

Upon viewing each art you will undoubtedly discover gems within the artist. This was captured in three separate shots.

We walked through Polanco hill in this port city of Valparaíso and never  imagined that spray cans translated into mesmerizing art.

Valparaíso’s outdoor museum, northwest of Santiago captures impeccable artists with a creative eye, turning buildings into eye candy.

This is an overview of the above three images nestled among these buildings.

The dichotomy of this experience was the amazing art and at the same time learning a friend’s handbag was stolen teaches us how CHOICE is an undervalued decision.

The majority of the store owners give permission to the artists and those who don’t receive negative graffiti as a symbol of disappointment.

Martha Root was the first Bahá’í to visit Santiago and Valparaíso in 1919. If you haven’t heard of Martha Root please visit this link to learn more.

“In the Bahá’í Cause arts, sciences and all crafts are (counted as) worship…. Briefly, all effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer….”[1]

Source:
1 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Paris Talks, pp. 176-177

Images:
Photos taken by Nightingale Tours