2023 Parliament of the World's Religions and the Anine Aloha Mural

​From August 14 through 18, 2023 the Parliament of the World’s Religions convened in Chicago. Chicago is the birthplace of the Parliament. The Parliament is the premier interfaith gathering one the planet. It focusses on interfaith dialog, peace-making, poverty, gender, Indigenous Peoples, and climate change and action. As a member of the press corps, I focused on the last two foci.
 
One of the striking aspects of the Parliaments is its multimodal approach. It is not just programs, reports, worship and fellowship. It is also art. That includes song and dance. It also includes art that reflects cultures, histories, and theologies. The Parliament was held at the McCormick Place Convention Center on the shores of Lake Michigan. The convention center is huge and art permeated the halls, the stages, and the patios.
 
There was Sacred Music Night. There was a display on the outdoor plaza focused on the child victims of gun violence. There was a film festival. There was dance in all the halls and on all the floors. And there was drawings and painting.
 
In the Great Hall there was a gallery dedicated to the art of various faith traditions. I found myself drawn to the Zorastrain art. However, for me, the art that integrated art, spirituality, and climate and social justice action was the Hawaiian Two-sided Mural or installation.  The artist who presented the art and the project was Marianne Mayer. She worked with five other artists to create this Anine Aloha mural. As you watch her presentation you will see how the process moved her. When you learn how this mural has been traveling the world you will get a sense of how it has touched so many people.
 
You will also learn a little about Hawaiian spirituality and kinship, the love of the land, and the reciprocal relation the people have with the land and with Mother Earth. This presentation is truly multicultural. The artists were all Hawaiian. Marianne also has Settle or Colonial ancestry. She is rooted in Hawaiian religious cosmos. She is also a member of the Bahai faith, and many members of the audience were Baha’is from around the world. This exhibit integrates Indigenous Peoples, Climate Action, and interfaith dialogue. Aloha.

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