The Rochester Origami Club informs me that they have completed 500 Peace Cranes for the Installation. Oh my. OH MY! The mind boggles! To think of the color, the interest, the accent to the braodsides that this will add. Like the latter Ingmire California exhibits, if there are sets of 1 or 2 or 3 pair of braodsides hanging - at the tail of each there will be a crane. If there are cranes to spare, they may hang by themselves in an individual string. How cool is that? I am just overwhelmed.
Michael
"Peace is not the product of a victory or a command. It has no finishing line, no final deadline, no fixed definition of achievement. Peace is a never-ending process, the work of many decisions."
Oscar Arias
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
I have made connections with two large groups of late - to solicit pieces for the installation. First. The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). These are wonderful folk who are "dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe." As such - they have some really great scribes - or calligraphers if you will. I hope they'll bring different "hands" and much color to the broadsides.
Second. Today I emailed what Calligraphy Guilds in Australia and New Zealand that I could find. How thrilling to look to the other side of the world for artistic input!
By the way. First day of snow in western New York. Winter is on the way.
Anyone moved to send in that first 5x20" broadside?
"Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures."
John F. Kennedy
Second. Today I emailed what Calligraphy Guilds in Australia and New Zealand that I could find. How thrilling to look to the other side of the world for artistic input!
By the way. First day of snow in western New York. Winter is on the way.
Anyone moved to send in that first 5x20" broadside?
"Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures."
John F. Kennedy
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
May She Have Peace ...
Aside ... after a long struggle with cancer, calligrapher Ann Van Tassell of Blacksburg, Virginia lost her struggle against the long, dark night. Thirteen years is a long time to stay valiant. It is our hope and our prayer that she has found Peace. Blessings on her family and the entire calligraphy community that Ann touched.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Quickly ...
I've posted the BLOG below without any modification. I tried to modify it and the Blog burped on me. It was suggested that I publish the flyer that I've been mailing out to everyone and so here it is.
Mike
Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contibute the best that they have and all that they are.
Hafsat Abiola
Mike
Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contibute the best that they have and all that they are.
Hafsat Abiola
It Has Been Suggested ...
“Words For Peace” - An Art Installation
Consider this an invitation to contribute a piece of artful writing and/or calligraphy – or several pieces. Guilds may consider this as a project.
The Story.
Back in 2003, with the war in Iraq immanent, noted calligrapher Thomas Ingmire invited friends and colleagues to participate in a calligraphic art installation on the subjects of war, fear, and peace. Each person was asked to write out a statement on a 5”x20” sheet of paper with the idea of hanging these pieces in the San Francisco Public Library. More than 750 people from twenty-eight nations responded.
“… Some see it as an anti-war protest. Others look at it as a statement about freedom and a plea for world peace that asks each of us to live in this world responsibly … Perhaps … it is a demonstration of the power of passion and of the creative spirit … from the untrained writing of four year olds to the masterly calligraphy of the greatest living scribes … individual efforts … brought together to create a whole that is even richer than its parts... an apt symbol in itself for the idea of a peaceful world." T.I.
You can check out the website: www.wordsforpeace.org/
Click on EXHIBITION on the left
Click on “click to view” on the lower right
Enjoy the slide show of the 2008 installation at the Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, CA
… and follow my BLOG at … http://wordsforpeace2010.blogspot.com/
Present day: Thomas Ingmire has graciously given me permission to replicate a scaled down version of the installation in Rochester, NY. On behalf of myself and the Genesee Valley Calligraphy Guild, I’d like to invite you to contribute.
I’ll shift the focus a bit for this version of the installation. Words For Peace. That’s the theme: PEACE - in all of its forms and manifestations. Peace on earth, Peace to mankind. Peace between peoples, between countries, races, and religions. Peace of the Spirit. Peace of God. Give Peace a Chance. Peace of Mind … take it where you will. So think Peace.
The ground rules – by Mike (I’ll take the heat).
o The venue is Lori’s Natural Foods, Henrietta (Fire Marshall APPROVED!!!).
o I’d like to receive submissions between Thanksgiving 2009 and Easter 2010.
o We’ll mount the exhibition in the Spring of 2010.
o The paper used shall be … well, paper. Not metal or whatever. Weight issues. I’d go Strathmore watercolor or drawing paper. Or any color paper.
o The writing medium is up to the artist/calligrapher. Watercolor. Inks. Crayon.
o The style is wide open; italic, Blackletter (Ward Dunham – you out there?), Illumination, abstract, uncial, italic, foundational, copperplate, etc., etc., etc.
o The theme is PEACE. From any angle. Can be Biblical. Can wax poetic. A word. A phrase. A story. Ghandi. MLKing. Your call.
o Lots of quote websites out there. Google “peace” and “quotes”.
o We’d like to keep vulgarity down. My son the artist says that’s difficult in an anti-war statement – try hard (Peter – you listening?). This is why it’s more “PEACE.” The venue will be kid friendly. Think gentle. The venue folks have suggested more thoughts of “peace” and less “anti-war” statements.
o Try to steer clear of personality bashing. Like the “Hey, Hey, LBJ …” chant from the 60’s. If you remember the 60s.
o Will I receive a response from Mike? Nah … we’ve got a beer budget. But we may post your name on the blog as they arrive.
o Will I receive my work back? Nah … it’s really a “light beer” budget. It may well be saved for future installations.
o Will I be reimbursed for my materials? What? Go fish.
o What kind of envelope would I use to mail it? I have no idea. But feel free to fold it in half to mail it.
o If you would, in light pencil, in small letters somewhere on the piece; your name and who you’re associated with – school, calligraphy guild, church – and your age if you wish.
o Photos will, no doubt, be posted to the Callig Graphics Board after the opening.
o Yes, you can do more than one piece – I’d encourage it.
Are you game? This is not a formal framed piece for an Art Guild show. Do you desire Peace In Our Time? Is there a fire in your belly? Commit it to paper and mail it off to me. We really want to see your work up in the air with hundreds of others. Challenge the rest of your Guild to this as well. What say?
Need more info: mwarner51@yahoo.com
Again … I’m blogging! http://wordsforpeace2010.blogspot.com/
Yours,
Mike Warner
Genesee Valley Calligraphy Guild
157 Cherry Road
Rochester, NY 14612-5651
USA
Consider this an invitation to contribute a piece of artful writing and/or calligraphy – or several pieces. Guilds may consider this as a project.
The Story.
Back in 2003, with the war in Iraq immanent, noted calligrapher Thomas Ingmire invited friends and colleagues to participate in a calligraphic art installation on the subjects of war, fear, and peace. Each person was asked to write out a statement on a 5”x20” sheet of paper with the idea of hanging these pieces in the San Francisco Public Library. More than 750 people from twenty-eight nations responded.
“… Some see it as an anti-war protest. Others look at it as a statement about freedom and a plea for world peace that asks each of us to live in this world responsibly … Perhaps … it is a demonstration of the power of passion and of the creative spirit … from the untrained writing of four year olds to the masterly calligraphy of the greatest living scribes … individual efforts … brought together to create a whole that is even richer than its parts... an apt symbol in itself for the idea of a peaceful world." T.I.
You can check out the website: www.wordsforpeace.org/
Click on EXHIBITION on the left
Click on “click to view” on the lower right
Enjoy the slide show of the 2008 installation at the Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, CA
… and follow my BLOG at … http://wordsforpeace2010.blogspot.com/
Present day: Thomas Ingmire has graciously given me permission to replicate a scaled down version of the installation in Rochester, NY. On behalf of myself and the Genesee Valley Calligraphy Guild, I’d like to invite you to contribute.
I’ll shift the focus a bit for this version of the installation. Words For Peace. That’s the theme: PEACE - in all of its forms and manifestations. Peace on earth, Peace to mankind. Peace between peoples, between countries, races, and religions. Peace of the Spirit. Peace of God. Give Peace a Chance. Peace of Mind … take it where you will. So think Peace.
The ground rules – by Mike (I’ll take the heat).
o The venue is Lori’s Natural Foods, Henrietta (Fire Marshall APPROVED!!!).
o I’d like to receive submissions between Thanksgiving 2009 and Easter 2010.
o We’ll mount the exhibition in the Spring of 2010.
o The paper used shall be … well, paper. Not metal or whatever. Weight issues. I’d go Strathmore watercolor or drawing paper. Or any color paper.
o The writing medium is up to the artist/calligrapher. Watercolor. Inks. Crayon.
o The style is wide open; italic, Blackletter (Ward Dunham – you out there?), Illumination, abstract, uncial, italic, foundational, copperplate, etc., etc., etc.
o The theme is PEACE. From any angle. Can be Biblical. Can wax poetic. A word. A phrase. A story. Ghandi. MLKing. Your call.
o Lots of quote websites out there. Google “peace” and “quotes”.
o We’d like to keep vulgarity down. My son the artist says that’s difficult in an anti-war statement – try hard (Peter – you listening?). This is why it’s more “PEACE.” The venue will be kid friendly. Think gentle. The venue folks have suggested more thoughts of “peace” and less “anti-war” statements.
o Try to steer clear of personality bashing. Like the “Hey, Hey, LBJ …” chant from the 60’s. If you remember the 60s.
o Will I receive a response from Mike? Nah … we’ve got a beer budget. But we may post your name on the blog as they arrive.
o Will I receive my work back? Nah … it’s really a “light beer” budget. It may well be saved for future installations.
o Will I be reimbursed for my materials? What? Go fish.
o What kind of envelope would I use to mail it? I have no idea. But feel free to fold it in half to mail it.
o If you would, in light pencil, in small letters somewhere on the piece; your name and who you’re associated with – school, calligraphy guild, church – and your age if you wish.
o Photos will, no doubt, be posted to the Callig Graphics Board after the opening.
o Yes, you can do more than one piece – I’d encourage it.
Are you game? This is not a formal framed piece for an Art Guild show. Do you desire Peace In Our Time? Is there a fire in your belly? Commit it to paper and mail it off to me. We really want to see your work up in the air with hundreds of others. Challenge the rest of your Guild to this as well. What say?
Need more info: mwarner51@yahoo.com
Again … I’m blogging! http://wordsforpeace2010.blogspot.com/
Yours,
Mike Warner
Genesee Valley Calligraphy Guild
157 Cherry Road
Rochester, NY 14612-5651
USA
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
What I told the Washington, DC Guild
I feel the need to clarify a few items.
First I am neither the best nor the most prolific calligrapher in our Guild. But I can REALLY organize. As Thomas Ingmire did, I want to bring this installation together because I believe in it. In the end it will not be my installation. I do not intend for my name to be on it. It will be the sum of so many people and their skills and their hearts. It will be the sum of many parts. It will be a living, breathing piece of art. I've heard the term "People's Art." I hope that this goes in that direction.
So it's not Mike's. It's not our Guild's. I am hoping that it will have a National and a World flavor to it. And that it will cross ethnic, religious, gender and age lines.
(can you believe all of this? my son cannot. peter is a liberal, democrat, vegan, artist and dad is a republican, conservative, carnivore working in research - he cannot believe that this project is coming out of dad. you really cannot pigeon hole the old man. ;) )
Yours,
Mike up in Rochester
First I am neither the best nor the most prolific calligrapher in our Guild. But I can REALLY organize. As Thomas Ingmire did, I want to bring this installation together because I believe in it. In the end it will not be my installation. I do not intend for my name to be on it. It will be the sum of so many people and their skills and their hearts. It will be the sum of many parts. It will be a living, breathing piece of art. I've heard the term "People's Art." I hope that this goes in that direction.
So it's not Mike's. It's not our Guild's. I am hoping that it will have a National and a World flavor to it. And that it will cross ethnic, religious, gender and age lines.
(can you believe all of this? my son cannot. peter is a liberal, democrat, vegan, artist and dad is a republican, conservative, carnivore working in research - he cannot believe that this project is coming out of dad. you really cannot pigeon hole the old man. ;) )
Yours,
Mike up in Rochester
Friday, October 30, 2009
The People I've Met This Fall
Over email and phone and letters and face-to-face ...
An organizer for Veterans For Peace, Doug, nice guy.
An angry anti-War radical that said what I was doing wasn't for s**t. It did not go far enough.
A Mennonite who is sending me some Peace Cranes that people in Japan sent her.
Professor "Rem" who is helping me with origami - for more Peace Cranes.
Sundry wonderful calligraphers who are moved by this theme and statement.
An angry Mom who thought I was backstabbing her son in Iraq - and did not believe I was a Veteran.
A Pastor who turned me away.
A Pastor who embraced me.
And Judy, who i never hung with in High School, but who will make a broadside or two for this - 41 years after we last saw each other.
The Journey goes on - the path becomes clearer.
Mike
An organizer for Veterans For Peace, Doug, nice guy.
An angry anti-War radical that said what I was doing wasn't for s**t. It did not go far enough.
A Mennonite who is sending me some Peace Cranes that people in Japan sent her.
Professor "Rem" who is helping me with origami - for more Peace Cranes.
Sundry wonderful calligraphers who are moved by this theme and statement.
An angry Mom who thought I was backstabbing her son in Iraq - and did not believe I was a Veteran.
A Pastor who turned me away.
A Pastor who embraced me.
And Judy, who i never hung with in High School, but who will make a broadside or two for this - 41 years after we last saw each other.
The Journey goes on - the path becomes clearer.
Mike
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Peace Cranes
Met last night with the Rochester Origami Club. They're on-board to work on origami peace cranes for the Installation. This is what Thomas added for his 2007 Installation. I have a connection here at work to the Asian-American community who may be able to help as well. I believe that the kids from the local Mennonite Fellowhip will be making some. Very exciting.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Venue!
Fall in Upstate New York and the frost is on the pumpkin.
Amazing how a project takes on a life of its own and drags you along with it. The venue can be told now. It's Lori's Natural Foods in the Rochester Regional Market off Jefferson and East Henrietta Roads. (think of a huge Trader Joes) They have a great high ceiling. The structure, when the installation is up in the ceiling, is under discussion. They brought up a couple of neat ideas. I met with the dancing banana (you've never seen their commercials?) who is the co-owner and Lori's husband. What else? I've sent 150 letters out to American and Canadian Guilds, heard from South Africa, Australia ... cool! Maybe another 100 letters to go out. I've connected with the Rochester Mennonite Fellowship and the Rochester Buddhist Peace Fellowship. I'm meeting some very nice folks out there. Blessings on all of you because I know that we'll see some neat stuff coming out of the Guilds and the individuals out there. Hey, Ward Dunham's committed. Sheila Waters' committed. Will you?
Mike
If they want peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks that precede cannon shots. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte
Amazing how a project takes on a life of its own and drags you along with it. The venue can be told now. It's Lori's Natural Foods in the Rochester Regional Market off Jefferson and East Henrietta Roads. (think of a huge Trader Joes) They have a great high ceiling. The structure, when the installation is up in the ceiling, is under discussion. They brought up a couple of neat ideas. I met with the dancing banana (you've never seen their commercials?) who is the co-owner and Lori's husband. What else? I've sent 150 letters out to American and Canadian Guilds, heard from South Africa, Australia ... cool! Maybe another 100 letters to go out. I've connected with the Rochester Mennonite Fellowship and the Rochester Buddhist Peace Fellowship. I'm meeting some very nice folks out there. Blessings on all of you because I know that we'll see some neat stuff coming out of the Guilds and the individuals out there. Hey, Ward Dunham's committed. Sheila Waters' committed. Will you?
Mike
If they want peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks that precede cannon shots. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte
Monday, September 21, 2009
In Cheeseland
Hey everyone,
Recently, on vacation in Wisconsin, I happened upon and old hippie radical from the 60's. UWisconsin at Madison, where he went to school, was a hotbed of demonstration against the Vietnam War back then. I discussed the Installation with him and he dismissed it. He told me it was not strong enough and loud enough and "in your face enough." I understand where he was coming from. There's a time and a place and a person for that kind of activism. I defend his right to that kind of street demonstration.
But.
The Buddhist Community in Rochester has a scheduled night of meditation. Kind of a meditation for Peace and against War. What does it really change if you meditate against War? I don't know. What will a bunch of calligraphy pieces hanging from a ceiling do to end War? I don't know. I do know ... that this is my venue. This is how I would do it. I will do it. This is the silent scream from the ceiling where the Art Intallation will hang. I've seen photos of Thomas' Installation. I am moved by the power. The grace. The communication. The will of several hundred people who took the time and the heart to address this issue. Rage against the machine? This is how we will do it. I'm getting all soap-box again. Yst this is where my heart lies. Peace.
I remind myself to contact the Buddhists in Rochester ... and I received in inquiry from South Africa. Cool. This week all of the Canadian Guild invitations went out. My Mom was born in Canada. Half of the American Guild invites went out as well. I pray for a great response.
Peace and Love to all.
Mike
Recently, on vacation in Wisconsin, I happened upon and old hippie radical from the 60's. UWisconsin at Madison, where he went to school, was a hotbed of demonstration against the Vietnam War back then. I discussed the Installation with him and he dismissed it. He told me it was not strong enough and loud enough and "in your face enough." I understand where he was coming from. There's a time and a place and a person for that kind of activism. I defend his right to that kind of street demonstration.
But.
The Buddhist Community in Rochester has a scheduled night of meditation. Kind of a meditation for Peace and against War. What does it really change if you meditate against War? I don't know. What will a bunch of calligraphy pieces hanging from a ceiling do to end War? I don't know. I do know ... that this is my venue. This is how I would do it. I will do it. This is the silent scream from the ceiling where the Art Intallation will hang. I've seen photos of Thomas' Installation. I am moved by the power. The grace. The communication. The will of several hundred people who took the time and the heart to address this issue. Rage against the machine? This is how we will do it. I'm getting all soap-box again. Yst this is where my heart lies. Peace.
I remind myself to contact the Buddhists in Rochester ... and I received in inquiry from South Africa. Cool. This week all of the Canadian Guild invitations went out. My Mom was born in Canada. Half of the American Guild invites went out as well. I pray for a great response.
Peace and Love to all.
Mike
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Just Under 100 ...
There are two or three listings of Calligraphy Guilds on the web. I opened two and began to go through them, looking for active Guilds in the US and Canada. This, to send them snail mail copies of the invite to participate in the Art Installation. Wow. Just under 100 Guilds across North America that seem active. More than I imagined. There were more than a few that have disbanded and that is a lesson on keeping your Guild healthy.
"But Mike, why not email it?" Well ... I sent an email to the nice folks in the Calligraphy Society of Arizona - and the stinkin' little electrons burped and compressed it all into one big word! Yeah, there's times I'm just a Ludite, so there! Apology to Joyce Bank, out West.
Starting to hear replies. Hamilton Guild (Ontario, Canada) said that they were on-board a while back. They're just around Lake Ontario from us. Warmland Calligraphers of the Cowichhan Valley (British Columbia, Can.) has also responded. Not around the corner from us. And ... the lovely Linnea Lundquist of California is on-board. Apparently I've go to send Ward Dunham, her hubby a postcard to get Ward's attention. Ward's got the best Blackletter around.
Still waiting on my appointment to finalize the Venue. Patience. Patience Michael. How's YOUR design coming? Email me and tell me how it looks. I can be had on the Cyberscribes on Yahoo Groups. Fall is here. Me and my colored pencils are going out to sketch some leaves. Peace all.
Mike
Peace, to have meaning for many who have only known suffering in both peace and war, must be translated into bread or rice, shelter, health and education, as well as freedom and human dignity. Ralph Johnson Bunche (1904-1971 American political scientist and diplomat who received the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize)
"But Mike, why not email it?" Well ... I sent an email to the nice folks in the Calligraphy Society of Arizona - and the stinkin' little electrons burped and compressed it all into one big word! Yeah, there's times I'm just a Ludite, so there! Apology to Joyce Bank, out West.
Starting to hear replies. Hamilton Guild (Ontario, Canada) said that they were on-board a while back. They're just around Lake Ontario from us. Warmland Calligraphers of the Cowichhan Valley (British Columbia, Can.) has also responded. Not around the corner from us. And ... the lovely Linnea Lundquist of California is on-board. Apparently I've go to send Ward Dunham, her hubby a postcard to get Ward's attention. Ward's got the best Blackletter around.
Still waiting on my appointment to finalize the Venue. Patience. Patience Michael. How's YOUR design coming? Email me and tell me how it looks. I can be had on the Cyberscribes on Yahoo Groups. Fall is here. Me and my colored pencils are going out to sketch some leaves. Peace all.
Mike
Peace, to have meaning for many who have only known suffering in both peace and war, must be translated into bread or rice, shelter, health and education, as well as freedom and human dignity. Ralph Johnson Bunche (1904-1971 American political scientist and diplomat who received the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Where Are We Coming From?
Ahh September and Fall is in the air in Upstate New York. My favorite time of year. Apples are crisp. Leave are looking to turn. The geese are forming Vs and flocking.
Well. I've gotten poked at a few times this week, both on-line and in person. So. Where Are We Coming From? Again. This Installation is not an anti-war rant. That's the wrong mindset. It's pro-Peace - it its many forms and very much where YOU are coming from in YOUR life. I am very sensitive to the guys and gals whose blood seeps into the sands of Iraq and Afganistan. Peaceniks in the 60's made the error of attacking the soldiers and not the premise of war. Peace can be sought without anger and rage. We're telling what we feel with our calligraphy and art.
Let me pound a stake in the ground. Clarify. I hope I'm not your worst nightmare. I'm an older, white, male, Republican, Missouri Synod Lutheran, Yankee, Veteran (4 years, enlisted during Vietnam, overseas duty in Korea) with a bunch of grandchildren. And I advocate Peace. I think most wars are stupid. I think that once in a while we need to pick the rifle up and go help someone out. But I hope and pray daily that wiser heads prevail. I pray that my government (past and current) seeks Peace more than confrontation. I pray that the kid with the gun in my City calms down and does not use it tonight. I pray that the husband does not take his job loss out on his wife. I pray that I too can find Peace in MY HEART for all those I meet and those I have yet to meet. I'm a 59 year old work in progress.
Peace. It need not be tangled up in other issues. Seek it. If you're religious, pray for it. Talk about it. Then do it up on a 5"x20" piece of paper and contribute it. Your thought - with many others.
How powerful.
Calligraphy Guild in Michigan is on-board.
Sheila Waters is on-board.
Will you contribute?
Mike
Well. I've gotten poked at a few times this week, both on-line and in person. So. Where Are We Coming From? Again. This Installation is not an anti-war rant. That's the wrong mindset. It's pro-Peace - it its many forms and very much where YOU are coming from in YOUR life. I am very sensitive to the guys and gals whose blood seeps into the sands of Iraq and Afganistan. Peaceniks in the 60's made the error of attacking the soldiers and not the premise of war. Peace can be sought without anger and rage. We're telling what we feel with our calligraphy and art.
Let me pound a stake in the ground. Clarify. I hope I'm not your worst nightmare. I'm an older, white, male, Republican, Missouri Synod Lutheran, Yankee, Veteran (4 years, enlisted during Vietnam, overseas duty in Korea) with a bunch of grandchildren. And I advocate Peace. I think most wars are stupid. I think that once in a while we need to pick the rifle up and go help someone out. But I hope and pray daily that wiser heads prevail. I pray that my government (past and current) seeks Peace more than confrontation. I pray that the kid with the gun in my City calms down and does not use it tonight. I pray that the husband does not take his job loss out on his wife. I pray that I too can find Peace in MY HEART for all those I meet and those I have yet to meet. I'm a 59 year old work in progress.
Peace. It need not be tangled up in other issues. Seek it. If you're religious, pray for it. Talk about it. Then do it up on a 5"x20" piece of paper and contribute it. Your thought - with many others.
How powerful.
Calligraphy Guild in Michigan is on-board.
Sheila Waters is on-board.
Will you contribute?
Mike
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
I Can Do Photos! And The Unveil.
I've now got an entire page of single spaced instructions for posting photos to the Blog but it's done. Whew! The Grand View shows the diversity of artists and their mediums. This is what we want for our Installation. This was Thomas' dream, I have to believe.
Well. I'm ready to unveil this on Cyberscribes. ALL THE GUILDS! All the individual artists and Calligraphers. From Down Under to DC, from the Suncoast to Seattle, from the Big Apple to LA, allllllllll the fly-over Guilds. Mike's putting out the word. WORDS FOR PEACE. Will you contribute to this Art Installation due to be mounted in the Spring of 2010? Will you? Please?
More info will follow on Cyberscribes and this Blog.
Mike
wondering what he's gotten himself into
up in Rochester, NY
Genesee Valley Calligraphy Guild
Well. I'm ready to unveil this on Cyberscribes. ALL THE GUILDS! All the individual artists and Calligraphers. From Down Under to DC, from the Suncoast to Seattle, from the Big Apple to LA, allllllllll the fly-over Guilds. Mike's putting out the word. WORDS FOR PEACE. Will you contribute to this Art Installation due to be mounted in the Spring of 2010? Will you? Please?
More info will follow on Cyberscribes and this Blog.
Mike
wondering what he's gotten himself into
up in Rochester, NY
Genesee Valley Calligraphy Guild
What Will It Look Like?
My daughter's been on my case to give color to the Blog and to post photos. Tough to post photos of what is yet to be. But ... here are some shots of what has been done. Thomas has used two methods of display. One is the 5 sided lantern. One is the back-to-back sheets. I'm favoring the back-to-back. I tried to get ahold of the person who shot these photos. He/she did a nice job. My apologies for using them if it causes issues. Again, these are (and will be) 5" by 20", on paper, with the theme of PEACE. I'd love to see the first broadsides coming in this Fall and have them all accumulated by Easter next. Mailing address to follow. Let's see how much of a learning curve these photos are ...
Monday, August 31, 2009
Disposition?
The Project. I have several wonderful folks who are sending advice my way on the Installation. I temper their advice with what Thomas Ingmire is telling me about how his west coast Installations actually ran. Words of experience. The thought came up as to what the disposition of the Rochester broadsides would be, afterwards. Thomas thought of binding his and donating them to the library in California – but that has not happened, yet. So his advice was to keep them – or add “mine” to his collection. I’m keeping them. Too soon to look into the future, but I see other installations in the regional area. Can art installations have 2nd and 3rd lives?
And then we ask the question – who owns them? Well for cost and practicality, they’re not going back to the originators, the artists, the calligraphers. But do I own them? I don’t think so. Can art be owned? It can be possessed. I will have the broadsides in my possession. But I think of art as being owned by the world. So I will keep them in my care. And I will try to make sure that they are exhibited again, and again. (way too heavy for a Monday morning. I need more coffee!)
Personal. It was 45 degrees F (7 C) this morning. Fall is in the air. I’ve got some ten quotes ready on the subject of PEACE. It’s time to start turning them into calligraphy and art. BTW I’m teaching a Guild class on The Mechanisms of Circle and Spiral Calligraphy Layouts this Wednesday. Thanks to Bill Waddington of Texas for his notes.
Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek,
but a means by which we arrive at that goal.
The late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
And then we ask the question – who owns them? Well for cost and practicality, they’re not going back to the originators, the artists, the calligraphers. But do I own them? I don’t think so. Can art be owned? It can be possessed. I will have the broadsides in my possession. But I think of art as being owned by the world. So I will keep them in my care. And I will try to make sure that they are exhibited again, and again. (way too heavy for a Monday morning. I need more coffee!)
Personal. It was 45 degrees F (7 C) this morning. Fall is in the air. I’ve got some ten quotes ready on the subject of PEACE. It’s time to start turning them into calligraphy and art. BTW I’m teaching a Guild class on The Mechanisms of Circle and Spiral Calligraphy Layouts this Wednesday. Thanks to Bill Waddington of Texas for his notes.
Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek,
but a means by which we arrive at that goal.
The late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Journey Begins ...
The Project. I have approval from the Fire Marshall. Now for a formal presentation to the Venue owner and his Manager. Thanks to Fiona from down under for assistance in the Blog start up. Ahhh technology. I'm working toward compiling a list of my own PEACE sayings. There's more anti-War stuff than "Peace." Oh, have I said that yet? This exhibition will be along the lines of Peace rather than anti-War. From the PROPOSAL:
"I’ll shift the focus a bit for this version of the installation. Words For Peace. That’s the theme: PEACE - in all of its forms and manifestations. Peace on earth, Peace to mankind. Peace between peoples, between countries, races, and religions. Peace of the Spirit. Peace of God. Give Peace a Chance. Peace of Mind … take it where you will. So think Peace. "
Personal. I guess that I thought when I was 18, that by my late 50’s, I’d be cast in stone. My religion. My politics. My ethics. My ability to learn and to change. I was wrong. It’s all still fluid. Would I enlist in the Army for 4 years like I did in 1970? Probably. I’m still patriotic and believe in the rule of law and country. But this young nation has been involved in some 40 plus conflicts. I’d love to see peace in my lifetime. I’d love for my Grandson not to be faced with the choice of going to war.
“Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.”
President John F. Kennedy
Ted Kennedy died this morning. Last of his generation of Kennedys.
"I’ll shift the focus a bit for this version of the installation. Words For Peace. That’s the theme: PEACE - in all of its forms and manifestations. Peace on earth, Peace to mankind. Peace between peoples, between countries, races, and religions. Peace of the Spirit. Peace of God. Give Peace a Chance. Peace of Mind … take it where you will. So think Peace. "
Personal. I guess that I thought when I was 18, that by my late 50’s, I’d be cast in stone. My religion. My politics. My ethics. My ability to learn and to change. I was wrong. It’s all still fluid. Would I enlist in the Army for 4 years like I did in 1970? Probably. I’m still patriotic and believe in the rule of law and country. But this young nation has been involved in some 40 plus conflicts. I’d love to see peace in my lifetime. I’d love for my Grandson not to be faced with the choice of going to war.
“Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.”
President John F. Kennedy
Ted Kennedy died this morning. Last of his generation of Kennedys.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The Beginning ...
First - The Story.
Back in 2003, with the war in Iraq immanent, noted calligrapher Thomas Ingmire invited friends and colleagues to participate in a calligraphic art installation on the subjects of war, fear, and peace. Each person was asked to write out a statement on a 5”x20” sheet of paper with the idea of hanging these pieces in the San Francisco Public Library. More than 750 people from twenty-eight nations responded.
“… Some see it as an anti-war protest. Others look at it as a statement about freedom and a plea for world peace that asks each of us to live in this world responsibly … Perhaps … it is a demonstration of the power of passion and of the creative spirit … from the untrained writing of four year olds to the masterly calligraphy of the greatest living scribes … individual efforts … brought together to create a whole that is even richer than its parts... an apt symbol in itself for the idea of a peaceful world." T.I.
You can check out the website: www.wordsforpeace.org/
Click on EXHIBITION on the left
Click on “click to view” on the lower right
Enjoy the slide show of the 2008 installation at the Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, CA
Present day: Thomas Ingmire has graciously given me permission to replicate a version of the installation in Rochester, NY. I'm looking at mounting the installation in the Spring of 2010. I've been piddling around for about a year getting going - and it looks like it's on its way.
Peace,
Mike
Back in 2003, with the war in Iraq immanent, noted calligrapher Thomas Ingmire invited friends and colleagues to participate in a calligraphic art installation on the subjects of war, fear, and peace. Each person was asked to write out a statement on a 5”x20” sheet of paper with the idea of hanging these pieces in the San Francisco Public Library. More than 750 people from twenty-eight nations responded.
“… Some see it as an anti-war protest. Others look at it as a statement about freedom and a plea for world peace that asks each of us to live in this world responsibly … Perhaps … it is a demonstration of the power of passion and of the creative spirit … from the untrained writing of four year olds to the masterly calligraphy of the greatest living scribes … individual efforts … brought together to create a whole that is even richer than its parts... an apt symbol in itself for the idea of a peaceful world." T.I.
You can check out the website: www.wordsforpeace.org/
Click on EXHIBITION on the left
Click on “click to view” on the lower right
Enjoy the slide show of the 2008 installation at the Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, CA
Present day: Thomas Ingmire has graciously given me permission to replicate a version of the installation in Rochester, NY. I'm looking at mounting the installation in the Spring of 2010. I've been piddling around for about a year getting going - and it looks like it's on its way.
Peace,
Mike
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