Religious Art for Peace In SL
Writing by Green Guy on Wednesday, 21 of November , 2007 at 6:59 am
Will residents listen to message of mutual respect and tolerance?
by California Condor, the Evangelist of Second Life
Offsetting the dark human appetite for destruction
On November 12th of 2007, avatars gathered at the city of Ir Shalom at the Jewish Historical Museum for the “Cultural Origins: Pathways to Peace” Art Show where artists from diverse religious backgrounds displayed their work to demonstrate mutual respect, tolerance, and love.
This event, done in partnership with the Cetus Gallery District and Twilights Peace Group featured pictorial art from Jewish, Muslim, Aboriginal, Christian, Hindu and New Age faiths. The exhibit was mutually worked on with the desire to send the message that all faiths can live in peace with each another.
Carter Giacobini, who is moshel/sim owner for Ir Shalom expressed his jubilance, saying, “We’re so thrilled to be working w/ the caliber of artists that are showing at the exhibit. Cetus Gallery District and Twilight’s Peace were fantastic to work with. All of us involved hope that our message of peace and tolerance carries through to all that see the amazing works of art that are being displayed.”
This warm-hearted expression is not new for Ir Shalom. Avram Leven, who is actively involved in the Jewish community of SL, is the events manager and media liaison for Ir Shalom. Since January of this year, I have personally had many opportunities to enjoy friendly discussion of beliefs with Avram. He and I do not quite see eye-to-eye on some key matters of faith. However, our chats have always been encouraging and I have always found him kind. Well appreciated, whereas, although we are both of Hebrew descent, I am one who believes in Jesus.
Avram commented, “its sort of controversial within SL’s Jewish community but i think we are making our mark and carving our niche”. When I had asked Leven how long the exhibit will remain up, he replied, “due to the overwhelming postive reaction from the SL community, the display will be featured indefinitely”.
Art presentators included avatars Zeke Salomon (Buddhist), Lona Shan (Islam), Texanna Schumann (Christianity), Blue Tsuki (New Age), and Abby Rebinstein (Jewish).
Among passing comments at the event was from Ayn Tomsen, a friendly outgoing social avatar who said, “I had no idea the American people are so religious.” She was paraphrasing what a visitor from an Arabic country was saying during the show.
Xander Ruttan, who owns the Cetus Gallery District, had this to say about the exhibit, “This show aptly demonstrates the power of creativity, not argument and division, as a healing force for people of different faiths. This human drive to create is what will offset the dark human appetite for destruction. These accomplished artists’ works may appear dissimilar on the surface, but they offer us a common bond through understanding of other cultures.”
For many centuries, art has been used to communicate faith and political opinions that may have perhaps been difficult to speak about publicly. Within the last 50 years, science-fictions have been written and made into movies the same way. Now we see the new canvas of the virtual world, Second Life, following in the same, and also addressing new issues rising in these latter days.
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