White writing

• Goal: Become familiar with spiritual aspect of the arts, learn a skill through hands on activity: use of watercolour as artistic medium

• Materials: Watercolour paper 140 lbs, watercolours, liquid frisket, saran wrap, salt

• Resources: Examples of watercolour techniques, video clip and stills from video of Temple of Light, reproductions of Mark Tobey’s paintings.

Extracts from The Writings Concerning Arts And Craftsalso published in Compilation of Compilations vol. I, pp. 1-8

The fifth Taráz:      In this Day the sun of craftsmanship shineth above the horizon of the occident and the river of arts is flowing out of the sea of that region. One must speak with fairness and appreciate such bounty...       ("Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas" [rev, ed.], (Haifa: Bahá'í World Centre, 1978) pp. 38-39)

The third Tajallí is concerning arts, crafts and sciences. Knowledge is as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone. The knowledge of such sciences, however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth, and not those which begin with words and end with words. Great indeed is the claim of scientists and craftsmen on the peoples of the world. Unto this beareth witness the Mother Book on the day of His return...       ("Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas", pp. 51-52)

Extracts from The Writings Concerning Arts And Craftsalso published in Compilation of Compilations vol. I, pp. 1-8The fifth Taráz:     He must study every day from morning till noon, so that he may learn how to read and write. From noon till about sunset he should acquire a craft. The children must both learn to read and acquire an art or skill.       (`Abdu'l-Bahá from a Tablet - translated from the Persian)

21.    O thou servant of the One true God! In this universal dispensation man's wondrous craftsmanship is reckoned as worship of the Resplendent Beauty.

     Consider what a bounty and blessing it is that craftsmanship is regarded as worship. In former times, it was believed that such skills were tantamount to ignorance, if not a misfortune, hindering man from drawing nigh unto God. Now consider how His infinite bestowals and abundant favours have changed hell-fire into blissful paradise, and a heap of dark dust into a luminous garden.  It behoveth the craftsmen of the world at each moment to offer a thousand tokens of gratitude at the Sacred Threshold, and to exert their highest endeavour and diligently pursue their professions so that their efforts may produce that which will manifest the greatest beauty and perfection before the eyes of all men.     ("Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá" 127, p. 145)

From Book 7:Promoting the Arts at the Grassroots

Section 8: "In all their efforts to achieve the aim of the Four Year Plan, the friends are also asked to give greater attention to the use of the arts, not only for proclamation, but also for the work in expansion and consolidation.  The graphic and performing arts and literature have played, and can play a major role in extending the influence of the Cause.  At the level of folk art, this possibility can be pursued in every part of the world, whether it be in villages, towns or cities."(From the 1996 Ridvan message written by the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of the world, published inThe Four Year Plan:  Messages of the Universal House of Justice [Riviera Beach:  Palabra Publications, 1996], p. 37)

From Book 7:Promoting the Arts at the Grassroots

Section 2: "All Art is a gift of the Holy Spirit.  When this light shines through the mind of a musician, it manifests itself in beautiful harmonies.  Again, shining through the mind of a poet, it is seen in fine poetry and poetic prose.  When the Light of the Sun of Truth inspires the mind of a painter, he produces marvelous pictures.  These gifts are fulfilling their highest purpose, when showing forth the praise of God."(Abdu'l-Baha, cited in The Importance of the Arts in Promoting the Faith, comp. The Research Department of the Universal House of Justice [Thornhill:  Baha'i Canada Publications, 1999] no. 23, pp. 10-11)

Section 3: "It is natural for the heart and spirit to take pleasure and enjoyment in all things that show forth symmetry, harmony and perfection.  For instance:  a beautiful house, a well designed garden, a symmetrical line, a graceful action, a well written book, pleasing garments - in fact, all things that have in themselves grace or beauty are pleasing to the heart and spirit..."(Abdu'l-Baha, cited in The Importance of the Arts in Promoting the Faith, comp. The Research Department of the Universal House of Justice [Thornhill:  Baha'i Canada Publications, 1999] no. 24, p. 11)

From Book 7:Promoting the Arts at the Grassroots

Section 9: "One of the names of God is the Fashioner.  He loveth craftsmanship.  Therefore any of His servants who manifesteth this attribute is acceptable in the sight of this Wronged One.  Craftsmanship is a book among the books of divine sciences, and a treasure among the treasures of His heavenly wisdom.  This is a knowledge with meaning, for some of the sciences are brought forth by words and come to an end with words."(Baha'u'llah cited in Extracts from the Writings concerning Arts and Crafts, published in The Compilation of Compilations [Ingleside:  Baha'i Publications Australia, 1991), vol. 1, p. 1)

"The one true God, exalted be He, loveth to witness handiworks of high craftsmanship produced by His loved ones.  Blessed art thou, for what thy skill hath produced hath reached the presence of thy Lord, the Exiled, the Wronged.  Please God every one of His friends may be enabled to acquire one of the crafts, and be confirmed in adhering to what hath been ordained in the Book of God, the All-Glorious, the All-Wise."(Baha'u'llah cited in Extracts from the Writings concerning Arts and Crafts, published in The Compilation of Compilations [Ingleside:  Baha'i Publications Australia, 1991), vol. 1, p. 1)

See Flash video of Temple of Light

Casting light on design of Temple

Architect of the Baha'i Temple to be built in Chile, Siamak Hariri, explained that he was influenced by the "white on white" paintings by Mark Tobey to use interior tracery out of nickel-plated stainless steel or white-stained oak.

Examples of inner tracery

in Temple of Light

See more about Temple of Light

Watercolour

• Graduated background blending• Colour mixing

– No black or white

• Wet on wet• Final layer dry on dry• Leave some areas white for contrast• Know when to stop• Clean brushes and materials

After watching the short video on the Temple of Light, still images from the video showing the inner traceries, as well as examples of Mark Tobey’s white writing, experiment with your own white writing using layers of watercolours and frisket. As much as possible avoid rigidly figurative objects, geometric forms and actual writing from a known language. Be inspired by the way in which Tobey broke from traditional perspective.

Mark Tobey’s unique perspective: "One night [ca. 1920] I was in my studio drawing my own portrait. On the ceiling, a light. All of a sudden I thought: suppose I were a fly. I could fly on to the easel, fly around me, go for a walk on my back, go up to the wall, etc.... In this closed space I projected the path taken by the fly: no more frame, no more Renaissance." (Whitechapel catalog, 1962, p.9)

Mark Tobey (1890-1976) : Lovers of Light 1960. Tempera, 4 3/4 x 6 3/4“ See Dahl

Mark Tobey: Forest Fire 1956. Tempera, 12 x 18" See Dahl

Mark Tobey: The New Day 1945?, Tempera, 12 3/4 x 23 1/4" See Dahl

Mark Tobey: Meditative Series VIII 1954. Tempera, 17 7/8 x 11 7/8" See Dahl

Mark Tobey links

• Dahl

• “Advance of History” , “New Day” , “Canticle” @ Flickr

• Biographies are here

• Exhibitions 2009

• Committee