The World Peace Art Initiative

A08 2

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Abstract

The World Peace Art Initiative focuses on promoting global peace through the collaborative, creative planning of large- scale environmental outdoor artworks. The Initiative focuses on four beliefs: 1) that the human creative spirit is a common link among all culturally diverse peoples; 2) that the creative process, realized through collaboration and intercultural connections, is a major factor in retaining and promoting a more peaceful, harmonious, and productive global society; 3) that a creative, collaborative ethic can help bring order out of chaos; and 4) that such concepts are transferable to other ways and conditions of life, and therefore may contribute to a more qualitative way of life. We have acted upon these principles through a series of workshops, artist residencies, and international collaborations bringing together teachers and students, artists, scientists, public officials, and the general public. The events illustrated in this paper have occurred between 2000 and 2007 in Michigan STARR EARTHWORK 2002 and Virginia Tech University USA VIRGINIA TECH SKYE, Stavanger, Norway BJERGSTED INSTALL 2002, Tasmania Australia SOUTHERN CROSS, Tirana Albania ALBANIA SKYE, and Kochi India KERALA LIGHTS FOR PEACE. The participants have incorporated many different means of expression and collaboration using traditional art media as well as metal and fiber, light, music, dance, air/helium sculpture, crop art, and performance works. Our experiences have shown that the empathy and enthusiasm that is gained through the creative processes of collaborative artwork provides an effective forum for promoting cultural understanding.