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The Peace Tree
The idea behind the Peace Tree is simple. Every culture has some form of textile which
it considers its own. For example, silk brocade from China, sari fabric from India, tartan (plaid) from Scotland etc. As many different fabrics as possible are incorporated into the tree. Pupils of the School of
the Nations were invited to bring whatever scraps they had at home -
no fabric was too humble to use. T-shirts, pyjamas, even old towels and sheets will end up as part of the Peace Tree.
The diversity of the fabric is meant to represent the diversity of the peoples of the world, yet symbolize their essential unity. When fragments of an old dress or pair of trousers are recognised, this further strengthens the sense of identification with the tree. As people see themselves in the tree, they realise the similarities - humanity is like a single tree. Indeed the inspiration was the words of Baha'u'llah: "Ye are the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch."
The tree will go on show at an exhibition to mark the opening of a new
Educational Resource Centre in Macau. Visitors will be invited to create a leaf for the tree, expressing a thought or a prayer for peace, making the tree an interactive educational resource. |
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Carrie Varjavandi explains: "Ever since I made the first "Peace
Tree" in 2001 for an exhibition at St. Mungo's Museum of Religious
Life and Art in Glasgow, I have been looking for places and people to build another.
My temporary post as Art Teacher at the School of the Nations allowed me the opportunity to create another. There was a practical purpose too. It also meant I could use up all the spare fabric that had been languishing at the back of the art room! I was also able to recycle some plywood panels that had been used for last year's production, "The Elves and the
Shoemaker". It is completely environmentally friendly.
The tree is composed of many wrapped cords, each resembling a colorful snake. Each snake is made up by wrapping strips of fabric around a control cord. Coloured
yarn is used to secure the fabric and add extra texture. All the individual 'snakes' are attached with glue to a three-dimensional tree-shaped base, forming the bark of the Peace Tree."
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