Public Art

WHEELS FOR PEACE

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
—Jimi Hendrix

Wheels for Peace at Sculpture Garden, Geyserville, CA. September 17 - November 2023

Wheels for Peace is a natural outgrowth of my ongoing cross-cultural experiences. Born in Italy to parents from Poland, and eventually immigrating to the U.S., I have found myself moving all over the world. Living, working, and traveling in so many places has taught me that, despite differences in language, customs, food, environment, and the arts, there are aspects which unify rather than separate us. One which is vital to global well-being is that each culture has a word, expression, or symbol signifying “peace.” 

Current political rhetoric, divisive mongering, and “other” bashing have fostered a pervasive mood of negativity and fear. As a visual and kinesthetic installation, Wheels for Peace aims to counterbalance it by creating an “atmosphere” of peace, one in which people can feel at ease rather than afraid or assaulted. Peace is far more than an intellectual concept. It is a felt experience accessible through our body’s senses and available to those who choose it over violence. Through the simplicity of form and color, anyone walking inside and around the circle of wheels has an opportunity to enjoy a moment of pleasurable calm. And, for those who are so inclined, this is also a chance to reflect on the fact that diverse spiritual traditions—not just our own—across the planet incorporate prayers and other practices for peace. 

Arranged in a large circle, the wheels themselves are circles. As a universal symbol, the circle represents ideals of wholeness, perfection, totality, the infinite, timelessness, and cyclic movement. The peace icon that is internationally recognized is also a circle.

Wheels for Peace was created through a public art grant from Creative Sonoma.

Wheels for Peace at Gracianna Winery, Healdsburg, CA. July 9 - September 17, 2023

There are 5 wheels, each containing 18 colored “ribbons,” at the bottom of which are words for peace from different languages/countries/cultures, for a total of 90. An interactive component of the installation includes a wheel in the center to which people tie their own aspirations or prayers for peace. If you’re interested in reading about the creative process that resulted in this project, please check out my blog post.

All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance

—John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band