FACES, a unique art exhibition, running until the end of this month at the Ministry of Information and Cabinet Affairs near the National Museum of Bahrain, is full of original artistic concept, colour and music.

This major event was opened by H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim Al Mutawa, the Minister of Information and Cabinet Affairs to celebrate the work of three dynamic and exceptional Bahraini artists, each a specialist in his own field. They are well established, highly talented and recognised professionals. Their work combines the three noble arts of painting/calligraphy, poetry and music in a composite expression, which launches new dimensions in art, most probably not hitherto explored in the Arab world.

This original and pioneering exhibition is staged by three highly talented Bahrainis ? the poet, Mr. Qassim Haddad; the musician and composer, Mr. Khalid Al Sheikh; and the contemporary painter/calligrapher, Mr. Ibrahim Abu Saad. The work is a meeting of minds and is brilliantly presented in an unusual and explorative venture.

EACH of these fine artists made a contribution to the total experience in his own manner and conviction. Their individual contributions, however, exceptional as they may have been, were moulded into a single spectacle, achieving art which is greater in its impact than the sum of their individual work.

Visitors to this unique art exhibition will experience something different and out of the ordinary as they move through space. Giant flimsy screens and three-dimensional works of art subdivide the elegant exhibition hall. The space turns and contorts, opens and closes! creating nooks and crannies that are not merely bound by the three dimensions of space but also by the sound of songs, music and impact of meanings of the written word. Actors in costume glide through space adding eerie ambience, an ambience that sometimes assures and other times confuses the visitor.

The soft strokes of the contemporary artist and painter Ibrahim Abu Saad are enhanced and balanced by the rhythm of Khalid Al Sheik's music and the meter of Qassim Haddad's dynamic poetry.

The collaborative work took almost three years to complete after great deal of thought and effort by the three distinguished artists.

They say that this was achieved after " waiting at the side of the abyss with a sword hanging over us, suffering degrees of agony, which undulated between the pain of waiting and the climatic pleasures of creativity. But we did not despair, for in the agony of waiting there was discovery.

One may ask as to what brought these Bahraini artists together to produce this distinctive and exciting work?

It is clear that they were sensitive people driven by the desire to " break the barriers in art and willing to experiment to create new horizons in the combined use of the word (poetry), colour and music, a triangle of relationships which is no different than the relationship between body and soul. What brought them together they state their positive attitude and outlook that may be summarised elegantly in these negative statements.

" Nothing brings us together other than the belief that the freedom of imagination is the first requirement of creation " .

" Nothing brings us together other than the disbelief in that there is nothing new under the sun " .

" Nothing brings us together other than the belief that there is something better than what has been done before. "

" Nothing brings us together other than the certainty that everything is not alright " .

" Nothing brings us together other than the desire to follow the beckoning unknown. "

" Nothing brings us together other than the desire for expression and the pleasure of experimentation, the desire to create a new art which is as young as a child and as deserving as love''.

THIS exhibition is, therefore a philosophical journey admired and appreciated by all who saw it, so much so that it is suggested that it might be taken to Paris, the capital of art in Europe and to Bonn in the Federal Republic of Germany.

It is also desirable to take it to Arab capitals that appreciate quality of artistic works such as Beirut and Cairo and expose Bahraini art at its best at these important Arab cities.

Also, those who love art in Bahrain are invited to visit this delightful exhibition which will leave all who see it in wonder at the originality and audacity of three pioneering Bahraini artist.

The work seems to break the barriers between three noble arts of poetry, painting and music and succeeds in creating a new form, which pleases and delights.

With God's blessing I look forward to seeing you next week.