European Peace Monument Liverpool

  

‘Peace and Harmony’ 

 Educational Resource Pack

IntroductionThis pack provides a background to the Global Peace Initiative and the concept of peace sculptures around the world. In particular, the pack focuses on the Liverpool monument, ‘Peace and Harmony’ by the artist Lauren Voiers, created in honour of John Lennon and gifted to Liverpool, John’s hometown. It contains ideas, points for discussion and suggestions for classroom activities and workshops.All activities are suitable for Key Stage 2 and 3 and can be easily adapted for older learners.

The Global Peace InitiativeBen Valenty is the Director of Global Peace Initiative, based in California. Global Peace Intitiative aim to place a peace sculpture on the world’s seven continents; ASIA, EUROPE, AFRICA, ANTARCTICA, NORTH AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA and AUSTRALIA.Their idea is to create a place where people can gather and reflect on the possibility of world peace. In 2005, the first monument, ‘Let There Be Peace’, was presented to the continent of Asia and unveiled in Singapore by its president SR Nathan and by the artist who created the monument, Alexandra Nechita.The European monument is the second peace sculpture to be unveiled. It is dedicated to the memory of John Lennon, paying tribute to his life and his message of peace. Ben Valenty said, “the creativity and history which surrounds Liverpool, make it an ideal destination for Europe’s art piece”.

What is a Peace Monument?A monument is a structure erected to ‘honour or to preserve the memory of a person, event or a concept’. A Peace Monument promotes those values associated with peace.There are over 2,000 peace monuments around the world all created for different reasons. Some to celebrate peace, others to evoke feelings of peace and love and others to honour peace heroes.

About the ArtistThe artist Lauren Voiers was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1991. From a very young age she showed she had a natural artistic talent and even in her early teen years, her art teachers recognized her abilities.During high school, she won many state and national awards, leading to a gold key award for an acrylic abstract. Lauren’s work is a blend of Surrealism and Cubism and at the same time seems to incorporate some of the unique styles of the Impressionists. Her work is heavily influenced by Cezanne, Braque and Picasso.When she heard where her peace sculpture was to be displayed, Lauren said, “the fact that it will be located in Liverpool, the home town of such a musical legend as John Lennon is phenomenal”

Lauren’s sculpture, called ‘Peace and Harmony ’, incorporates doves, musical notes, a guitar, a keyboard and as requested by Julian Lennon, a white feather. It is 18 feet high and 11 feet wide, (5.5 meters tall x 3.3 meters wide).

Pre visit activities for learners.Look at the work of the artists who have influenced Lauren’s art. When you visit the monument, see if you can identify which of these artists has had the most influence on this particular sculpture.Collect pictures of peace symbols used around the world. Discuss in small groups which peace signs you think are most powerful and why.Design your own peace sign, discussing with others why you think it will promote peace.

Activities when visiting the European Peace MonumentThe Peace and Harmony sculpture is placed on the plateau outside the ECHO Arena. This location was chosen because here, amongst all the hustle and bustle of a commercial area, there is space to step back and consider the work of John Lennon next to a monument in his memory.Look at the sculpture from all angles, from a distance and close up. Photograph the monument with your group and maybe use the photographs in a class project back at school.Identify the different peace symbols that Lauren Voiers has used to make up the whole of the sculpture. Why do you think she has chosen these particular symbols?Question: What are your first impressions of the sculpture? Do you like it? Do you think of world peace? Is this sculpture a fitting tribute to John Lennon and to the Peace Initiative?

When John Lennon went solo, he began to look at the world in a more mature way. His values changed, he saw the affects of war on nations and he wanted others to see the difference that peace could bring to nations and the world. If other groups or individuals are visiting the monument, listen to what they are saying about it. It is always interesting to hear other people’s views particularly if they are from a different country. Do you agree with their opinions about the Peace Monument?Chavasse Park is an ideal place to perform. Your group could dance, sing Lennon peace songs, or maybe even try some Meditation and Yoga.

Classroom activities Design and make your own monument for peace and for John Lennon. Why not recycle different materials such as old tin cans, card, paper, plastic containers and cereal boxes. Write a news article about the peace monument and your school visit and why it is important for Liverpool to have such a tribute to John Lennon. (see the press release included in this pack for reference).

Create a ‘Peace Poetry’ book. Poems could be about John Lennon, the peace monument or the values of Global Peace Initiative and illustrate the book with the photographs and drawings from your visit.Research the different ways that John protested for peace.Where his protests effective?Did John get good press coverage for his protests or was the press more interested in John because of his Beatles fame?

Ideas for discussion

What does your class think about the monument, and where it has been placed?Have you included all the important issues in the discussion, such as:Position of monumentCost of monumentMeaning of the monumentWhy here, why now?Why John Lennon?Why a sculpture?What are the outcomes and benefits to the whole community?What does it mean for tourism in Liverpool?Each Beatle achieved fame in their own right when they embarked on their solo careers, pursuing what was dear to them. John continued to write songs as did Paul and George but now John’s songs were concerned with more personal and serious issues such as Peace and Global Peace. This is why the European Peace Monument is a fitting tribute to one of Liverpool’s most famous sons. Imagine Lyrics

Imagine there's no heavenIt's easy if you tryNo hell below usAbove us only skyImagine all the peopleLiving for today...

Imagine there's no countriesIt isn't hard to doNothing to kill or die forAnd no religion tooImagine all the peopleLiving life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamerBut I'm not the only oneI hope someday you'll join usAnd the world will be as one

Imagine no possessionsI wonder if you canNo need for greed or hungerA brotherhood of manImagine all the peopleSharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamerBut I'm not the only oneI hope someday you'll join usAnd the world will live as one

(Older learners can look at the lyrics to ‘Give Peace a Chance’)

Curriculum Links for Citizenship

Citizenship Curriculum Aims:Learning and undertaking activities in citizenship contribute to achievement of the curriculum aims for all young people to become:

1. Successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve2. Confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.3. Responsible citizens

Citizenship encourages respect for different national, religious and ethnic identities. Pupils will explore diverse ideas, beliefs, cultures and identities we share as citizens in the UK. Pupils begin to understand how society has changed and is changing in the UK, Europe and the wider world.1.3 Identities and diversity

b) exploring the diverse national, regional, ethnic and religious cultures, groups, communities in the UK

c) considering the inter-connections between the UK, the rest of Europe and the rest of the world.3 Range and Contentd) freedom of speech and diversity of views and the role of the media in informing and influencing public opinion. e) actions that individuals, groups and organizations can take to influence decisions affecting communities and the environment. k) the Uk’s relations with the European Union and the rest of Europe, the Commonwealth, the United Nations and the world as a global community. *

* Europe: A European dimension can be incorporated when exploring many topical issues, including human rights, the environment, immigration, trade and economic issues, diversity and identities. The Commonwealth: This includes the development, membership and purpose of the Commonwealth. It can be linked with the study of the British Empire in history.The United Nations: This includes exploring the role of the UN in the context of topical events such as conflict situations affecting the international and/or global community.

Global Peace Initiative Website:http://www.theglobalpeaceinitiative.com/index.html

Press Release:EUROPEAN PEACE MONUMENT TO BE UNVEILED BY JULIAN AND CYNTHIA LENNON IN LIVERPOOL TO MARK JOHN LENNON’S 70 TH BIRTHDAY

A global peace monument is to be gifted to the people of Europe on the occasion of John

Lennon’s 70th birthday. It will be unveiled as part of a gala ceremony in Lennon’s birthplace of

Liverpool by his eldest son Julian and first wife Cynthia.

Taking place on Lennon’s birth date of October 9 th, the unveiling of the 18ft monument entitled

‘Peace & Harmony’ in Liverpool city centre will be attended by two thousand dignitaries and fans

from all over the world and will form the most significant global birthday celebration dedicated to

John’s life and work.

Commissioned by the Global Peace Initiative, an American arts organization dedicated to

creating peace monuments around the world to promote global peace, the European Peace

Monument has been created by American art prodigy Lauren Voiers in Phoenix, Arizona. When

unveiled in Liverpool’s Chavasse Park it will give hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city the

opportunity to celebrate the life and spirit of Lennon and his message of peace.

US artist Lauren Voiers has been asked by Julian to incorporate, within the monument’s design,

a white feather – which to Julian is a symbol of both his father's spirit and of peace. As Julian

Lennon explains: “One of the things my father said to me was that should he pass away, if there

was some way of letting me know he was going to be ok, it was by, in some shape or form,

presenting me with a white feather.”

The unveiling of the monument by the Lennon family is a remarkable moment in Liverpool’s

cultural history and one that will be remembered for many years to come. And the fact that this

event is to be attended by dignitaries from all over the European Union shows the significance of

the monument holds to the wider global community.

Jerry Goldman, MD The Beatles Story, Liverpool comments:

“Lennon’s message of peace is timeless and is one that is now more relevant than ever. We

hope that this imposing monument dedicated to John will become a place that people from all over

the world will visit to contemplate peace and John Lennon’s contribution to it through his music.

“Liverpool is the only ideal destination for such a remarkable monument and we feel sure that it

will take on a global significance as word travels round the world that there is a place to go to in

England where people can meet under the timeless banner of peace.”

The unveiling of the John Lennon Peace Monument will take place on the morning of Saturday

9th October 2010. Joining Julian and Cynthia Lennon will be Ambassadors and other

representatives from the EU, Members of Parliament, leaders of the city of Liverpool, the Global

Peace Initiative, The Beatles Story, Liverpool ONE and of course the artist Lauren Voiers.

The John Lennon Peace Monument is the second peace monument to be gifted by the Global

Peace Initiative. The first was gifted to the people of Asia in 2005, was accepted by the President

of Singapore and has a permanent home in his country. There are plans for a third monument to

be gifted to the people of South America as part of a pledge by the Global Peace Initiative to reach

out to all continents with their message.

END