On Saturday, March 13, 2004, multimedia artist, Marlene Lacey, from Southern Alberta sent a message to a network of artists calling for submissions to a multimedia display entitled “Artists for Peace”.
On the evening of Monday, March 15, the Lethbridge Network for Peace (a group affiliated with the Canadian Peace Alliance) organized a presentation in the Theatre Gallery of Lethbridge Public Library. Several films on the war were shown including the film, "Uncovered – The Whole Truth About the War on Iraq". For the same evening, a presentation of submitting artists' work in the form of art, sounds, and literature was also made available at the well-attended event.
These and other artist submissions are presented here, to unite, through this website presentation, with concerned citizens from across Southern Alberta, Canada, the United States, Europe and in towns and cities all over the world to add a creative voice calling for peace.
Together in Peace,
vrede, Waki Qiwebis, Khanaghutyun, Baké, pakoj, shAnti, Spokoj, peoc'h, Nyeinjanyei, Pau, nanomonsetôtse, Tsumukikiatu, Wetaskiwin, Lapé, mir, mir, fred, Sulh, vrede, Hetep, peace, paco, rahu, Solh, Vakaçegu, Rauha, paix, Fifa, fred, sěochaint, síocháin, der friede, Irini, py'guapy, malu, Shanti, kev sib haum xeeb, béke, Friđur, damai, Tutkium, pace, Heiwa, Rukun, Soksang, Rój, Peoning Hwa, Hasiti, Wolakota, Santiphap, pax, taika, paci, rongo, Ets’a’an Olal, Enh Taiwain, tlamatcanemiliztli, fred, pokoj, paz, sérë, pace, pasch, Wo’okeyeh, paz, Amani, fred, kapayapaan, Amaithi, Santiphap, Sidi, Baris, amn; salaam, Hoa Binh, Heddwch, Sholem, Alaafia, uxolo, Layeni, Ukuthula
Marlene Lacey
This work is created by an Artist for Peace. The Artist believes that words, sounds, and images are the best tools for dealing with problems of conflict. Use of violence is a sign of frustration. People typically resort to violence when they don't know what else to do, such as when they don't like how they feel and don't know how to change it.
This Artist for Peace says, "Dig deeply to communicate what you need to say." Words don't fail; people fail—they fail to find the right words, images or sounds to communicate a problem or a frustration. An Artist for Peace will work diligently to make the best choice of both media and content and this choice will vary from one culture to another, from one value system to another, and from one time frame to another. While violence may force reaction, it will not sway attitude or illustrate perspective. Instead the violent message becomes one of form or methodology, not of content or perspective. It is as important to think about how the message is delivered as it is to think about what one is saying.
Words, images and sounds are a peaceful way to deal with matters of conflict. Before one reacts in a negative or offensive way:
- Give the offender a chance to voice their opinion or perspective.
- Find something to sympathize about with their point of view and then
- Tell them a way to resolve it peacefully.
Follow these steps in the order given if you want to be heard. It doesn't work in any other order. If we all commit to these three steps of mediation, we will live in a more peaceful world. For, the secret often lies in listening before you talk or take action.
Marlene Lacey