Imagine Peace Tower
I’m on blog sabbatical but promised to check in the beginning of each month this summer. As chance would have it, I discovered today that Yoko Ono is starting a blog called 100 Acorns, ideas for bringing awareness to creating peace on the planet. Forty-four years ago she published a book of conceptual instructions called Grapefruit. I was sixteen when I bought my copy and loved it. I might even say that it planted a seed in me about how we might think about life as a creative journey—things happen but we also get to invent our response. It opened my mind.
Forty years ago, Yoko and John Lennon created a series of events to bring awareness to peace. John Lennon wrote the gorgeous anthem, Imagine, and invited us to imagine what a world in peace might be like. As necessary to do now as then.
I lived in Montreal at the time that John and Yoko spent a week in bed in a hotel there for peace. It was incredibly exciting—imagine that! It was exciting that two artists would spend a week in bed in the name of peace and the media hovered around like lightening had struck. Funny and great. It felt that peace was within our grasp back then but the people in power are still living in fear. Last fall Yoko created the Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik, Iceland, in conjunction with the Museum of Art—a beautiful beam of light that arises out of a wishing well and shoots towards the heavens. We’re all invited to send in a wish for peace that will be planted in the ground around the well. This is art.
For the last six or seven years a whole segment of humanity who dreams of and desires peace has remained more silent than we might have imagined possible. The Buddha says that everything is perfect and even in this most discouraging moment something new is being born—a new consciousness, courage, art. We’ve been reflecting and gathering steam. There’s so much that’s changing on the planet right now, so much that needs our care and our courage. Sometimes one radical emblem—a song, a book, a peace tower—shifts attention to the truth of our infinite capability and generates both energy and change.
The lights are on in the Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik to announce that so many on this planet love and respect each other. Maybe we can each beam a little light up.
Check it out—Imagine Peace.
June 5th, 2008 at 5:39 am
Hi there–I remember how wild that week was in the media! Today no one would even bother to yawn about it….funny world that has evolved, isn’t it?
I so understand you taking time off from your blog. I went through a long period this winter wondering what to do or think about my blog. I ended up realizing I just liked it and that it didn’t really have to be focused on one or two things. Since then I’ve blogged with renewed energy and have been really enjoying it.
And I think we each have to commit to what works for us. Enjoy your sabbatical! And if you feel like blogging on a another day…go for it! Happy almost summer.
June 5th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Hi Mary! Welcome back!! Yeah, curious how things have changed. I’ll be back blogging…just need to focus on finishing some projects here.
But I’ll be checking in beginning of every month.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Thanks for the post. Yoko is the 1st conceptual artist I’d ever heard of. So true that an artist’s need to create lasts throughout their entire lives. I’ve got a blog too but it isn’t set up yet. I think it’s called Kathy’s blog.co.uk. Anyway I’ll let you know.
Yes, these are exciting times indeed. HOORAY OBAMBA!!
June 5th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Yeah, she was the first I’d heard of too. Look forward to your blog! So amazing about Obama!