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Today
I dedicate Harmonious Convergence to:
Tom Hurndall 21, of Great Britain
Rachel Corrie 23, of
the United States
Two
more who fell to violence while putting non-violent action into
practice.
"Blessed
are the peacemakers."
~
"A
wave of humanity in a hermaphroditic universal embrace. A study
and contemplation regarding polar opposition within the human
condition. These were the origins which led to the creation of
"Harmonious Convergence". From there and during the execution
it led me to include people who have encountered this human phenomenon
head on. Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Christ and yes... Hitler are
just some of the personalities, which through their walk on Earth, brought
this ever increasing intensified polarizing force to the forefront of human consciousness.
Now, president all but set of regime change through superior force in a preemptive
strike, divergence has stepped up a notch. Aided by the global media, people
across the planet found themselves on opposite sides of a
manufactured fence. This action was likened to the fall of
the Berlin wall but I beg to differ, for this new barrier which
separates us has no physical structure but it's psychological reality supercedes
any amount of mortar and brick.
The polarization of forces. "An eye for an eye and the whole
world goes blind", "Love your enemy." and "Thou
shalt not kill", just some of the tenets which by their intent
should lead humanity beyond the desire for retribution. If one was
not to strike back, would the enemy grow tired and eventually just fade
from view?
Every action, an equal and opposite reaction. Is this true?
Then why are we not brave enough to stand by it?
One characteristic I find truly disturbing with recent world events (and
war in general) is how physical might would seem right, an aspect which negates such notable instruments of
change as Gandhi and Martin Luther King. These people knew the
distinction between taking and giving a life in the name of
justice. Dying for a cause, not killing for one. This is why,
when watching this latest human drama unfold via satellite and I heard
that a peace protestor was shot and fell into coma purposely putting himself in harms way
to help a woman and her children... I wept. By his actions a sliver
of hope for humanity broke through the marvels of modern destruction.
~
As far as the central figures Christ and Hitler, someone once said to
me, "Wouldn't it be interesting to listen in on that
conversation." most likely an understatement but that's where I will leave
it. Except, and I feel it is safe to say, they are polar archetypes made manifest.
Polarity was the central
theme to the piece and I could find no two better suited in portraying
the inner human conflict which we all suffer to transcend.
~
The execution of this drawing stretched over three years and in it's
creation some notable coincidences transpired. What relevance they
hold, outside of the drawing itself and it's course of manifestation, I
do not know. While working on the flame of Liberty a news bulletin
came over the radio saying the space shuttle Challenger has
exploded. That day I put a tear in the left eye of Liberty.
Later I found out through the restoration of the statue some years later
that what appears as a tear streak from her left eye (actually
created by rain water) they were unable to repair.
In three years of intermittent work days, the piece could have been finished
on any possible date. Then while putting the finishing touches on
Robin Williams and as the planets (unbeknownst to me at the time)
lined up roughly in the shape of the six pointed star, it was
finished. August 16, 1987 and the longest journey I have ever traveled
with one piece ended. But it was not until the following day that
the relevance of that day would make itself known to me. On August
16, 1987 in various sacred locations across the Earth people gathered
and joined in prayer for a course change towards peace through peaceful positive
means. This world event was called the Harmonic Convergence and
the drawing, like a gift, had it's title... "Harmonious
Convergence"."
Petrus
Boots
4/24/2003
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