Tower of Babel

New Stories

Tower of Babel – New Stories originated from an open call launched by Stedelijk Museum Breda and Art and Soul. Artists were invited to share their personal perspectives on themes from the Tower of Babel myth, with a particular focus on the role of language in society. From the submissions, a selection committee chose twenty-eight artworks.

Artists

Tower of Babel features work by: Amber Hyacinth, Andrea Haandrikman-Schraets, Art van Triest, Boris Deben, Brian Coutinho, Carlijn Kingma, Çigdem Yüksel, Elcin Marasli Ball, Elvis Flynn Kaltofen, Eva Blaak, Fré Calmes, Gamze Öztürk, Hamilton Chango Harris, Hanni Braspenning, Itie Langeland, Jaantje Anna van Hout, Janpeter Muilwijk, Jip Schalkx, Louisiana van Onna, Marie Civikov, Nuno Orlando, Sander Bos, Sandra Minten, Sonja Cabalt, Stichting Vrienden Coen Kaayk, Studio KASBOEK, Tamara Tantico and Uif Putters.

An Ancient Myth

‘Once the whole world spoke a single language.’ This is the opening line of the biblical story of the Tower of Babel. It tells how people, united in purpose, set out to build a tower that would reach the heavens. But God intervenes and creates confusion by making people speak different languages. Unable to understand one another, they abandon the project and the tower remains unfinished.