Tower of Babel

In Tower of Babel – New Stories, twenty-eight contemporary artists present work inspired by the ancient myth of the Tower of Babel that reflects on society today. The exhibition explores how, in a time of rapid technological change and an endless flow of information, we understand and misunderstand one another. Discover how language connects, divides, and influences us.

This exhibition was developed in co-production with Art and Soul (a brand of Bijbels Museum).

Tower of Babel features work by: Amber Hyacinth, Andrea Haandrikman-Schraets, Art van Triest, Boris Deben, Brian Coutinho, Carlijn Kingma, Çiğdem 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.

The myth of linguistic confusion and multiple voices remains remarkably relevant today. Does this story reflect our contemporary society, where realities increasingly diverge? Or is that too pessimistic a view? In Tower of Babel – New Stories, artists enrich, challenge and reinterpret social systems and one-sided historical narratives.

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.

The exhibition brings together a wide range of voices, featuring both established and recently graduated artists from diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences, working across a variety of artistic disciplines.

Art and Soul is the brand under which the Bijbels Museum presents art exhibitions throughout the Netherlands in collaboration with partners, exploring meaning, spirituality and life’s big questions as a nomadic museum-within-a-museum.

This exhibition was made possible thanks to: