In 1986, Vijali traveled to 12 sites around the world creating earth sculptures and performance ceremonies with the local communities. Below is a description of one of the 12 sites from the first World Wheel circle. For more information about the first World Wheel project, see About World Wheel page.
Tree Of Peace — Children Bring the Massage of Peace
Dead Sea, Palestine / Israel
I arrived in Israel a few weeks after Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait, and left shortly before the onset of the Gulf War. Caught in tear gas attacks many times while visiting Israel and Palestine, I often heard the crackling of gunfire.
Amidst ongoing terror and bloodshed, I lived with both Palestinians and Israelis. Befriended several people whose family members had been seriously injured, I tried to be supportive during this difficult period.
At the House of Hope, a center of education for peace where Palestinian, Druse, Israeli and Christian children study together, the children gave the answers to my questions: “If we can look through the eyes of someone from a different culture, we can understand them and then we can love each other. This can bring peace.”
Eight people worked with me to create a circle of twelve stone sculptures on a craggy cliff overlooking the Dead Sea – the lowest place on the earthÂąs surface. On the day of the ceremony, a Palestinian child and an Israeli girl planted the “Tree of Peace” in the center of the circle. Two hundred people — Jews, Christians, Muslims, Drews, and atheists — participated in this life-affirming ritual, which was followed by exuberant song and dance. Children played and adults laughed, as they celebrated each other’s culture.
NOTES AND PHOTO CREDITS
Banner:
Photo by Sacha Burger — Spirit Within Matter II in Santa Monica MountainsÂ
Photo by Vijali Hamiton — Woman of Space (detail) in China
Photo by unknown — Carving Earth Wheel, for Tree of Peace with community – World Wheel site 7
