Reflections of Generosity Blog
Call for Participation: Art for Stripes 2010
Art for Stripes 2010
To support wounded Soldiers and other heroes returning home from the battlefield,
International Arts Movement and Reflections of Generosity are working together to create a
CD with songs about restoration and healing by recording artists Christa Wells, Christy
Tennant, Kyla Kelsey, Lief Liebmann, and other musicians. In order to make every CD
special, we plan on including original artwork inside the cover of each CD.
Our goal is to have five hundred art pieces by July 31, 2010.
Selected cards will be exhibited in Katterbach Germany for the 9-11 memorial ceremony. These will be shown in conjunction with the traveling Reflections of Generosity exhibit.
Size: 4.75" x 4.75" (must fit into CD jewel case)
Surface: Card stock or paper
Medium: Any medium that does not interfere with CD
Fee: None (donations through www.reflectionsofgenerosity.com are appreciated)
You may submit as many cards as you like. Please put personal words of encouragement, a poem, or anything else you think would be appropriate on the back of the cards.
Please send completed cards to:
Art for Stripes
Gerda Liebmann
1 William Street
Highlands, NJ 07732
For information about Reflections of Generosity, please contact:
Ron Kelsey
Nonprofit Artist
Military Liaison for the Arts
www.reflectionsofgenerosity.com
RoG on High Callings Blog
L.L. writes:
Click here to read the rest of the article.For me, the issue of war has always been full of tension. As a child, I listened to my stepfather tell stories of WWII. He told them with bravado and edgy laughter. But he was a haunted man who brought his torments into my life in a difficult way. Is this what war did to a man? If so, I could never look war in the face.
Oh, but how I liked Ron when I met him. Ron is a soldier, and he is also an artist.
Click here to purchase Reflections of Generosity.
RoG Vol 6: Unknown Soldier
I had been working on finishing up the details for the book Reflections of Generosity, when the news of a Soldier passing away was brought to my office. This Soldier was unknown to me as he served on the frontlines of Afghanistan, but his life became familiar as I looked over his belongings prior to them being sent home. As I dealt with the grief of losing an unknown comrade, I received the above submission for the traveling exhibit Reflections of Generosity. As I viewed "Pomegranate Caretakers", I thought of how Soldiers are often the direct caretakers of freedom. Although we may not know them by name, we can recognize the value they offer to our lives.
In the book Reflections of Generosity I share more about the struggles of losing an unknown Soldier:
“Walking to work, I heard sirens from multiple police vehicles. Down the road Soldiers wandered around with stunned, dazed, and shocked looks on their faces. It did not take long to find out that a fellow Soldier had taken his own life. A week later, his picture was displayed on the fallen Soldier's wall monitor. He looked so young in that photo. I began asking myself, as an artist, what could I have done to help this individual? Could a painting have filled him with hope? Would a listening ear have brought him relief beyond thoughts of suicide? Sadly, this was not the last time I asked myself these questions in Iraq.
Returning to the office for the regular workday, I longed to speak to other Soldiers about the incident. The weight of grief that day overshadowed the recent joys I had of becoming a father. I searched for balance among suffering, longed for hope beyond tragedy, and sought to understand the purpose of nature’s fragile design.
It is hard to find beauty among the sacrifices of everyday life. It seems natural to look for answers to life that seem nowhere to be found—what is the main purpose of existence? In his book A Grief Observed, C.S. Lewis wrestles with this question as well:
Sometimes, Lord, one is tempted to say that if you wanted us to behave like the lilies of the field you might have given us an organization more like theirs. But that, I suppose, is just your grand experiment. Or no; not an experiment, for you have no need to find things out. Rather your grand enterprise. To make an organism which is also spirit; to make that terrible oxymoron, a spiritual animal. To take a poor primate, a beast with nerve-endings all over it, a creature with a stomach that wants to be filled, a breeding animal that wants its mate, and say, Now get on with it. Become a god.
I connected with Lewis’s doubts and frustrations through my experience of grief in modern warfare, and this grief challenged how I understood life and art. Even further, I began to doubt the perfection of beauty within God's creation. I wondered if perhaps the world was still in some ways “formless and empty.” The amount of faith it took for me to see God beyond the darkness that remains over the surface of the earth seemed insurmountable. Even so, I drew some hope from visualizing the Spirit of God hovering over my waters of doubt and sorrow.”
Yours, toward restoration and peace,
Ron Kelsey, Germany
Nonprofit Artist, Military Liaison for the Arts
ron.v.kelsey (at) us.army.mil
Image: Teressa Valla (teressavalla-arts.com), Pomegranate Caretakers, Water-based paint on Wood. 11”x14”.
RoG Vol 5: Supporting Our Heroes in 2010
But supporting our everyday Heroes cannot occur without the financial support of RoG Patrons. If you are a part of IAM or a military community, please support Reflections of Generosity by donating financially. Gifts are tax-deductible due to the ongoing support of IAM.
Reflections of Generosity relies on the generosity of its supporters. Every gift we receive helps bring about healing and restoration in the lives of soldiers and their families.
In 2010, the MWR, IAM, and I are planning multiple exhibits in Germany to support the US. Army, which will end with a remembrance ceremony on the weekend of 11 Sept 2010. Also, we are in the process of organizing a follow-up exhibit with Arts Underground in St. Louis. This event will offer direct support to the St. Louis National Guard. If you are interested in participating or contributing financially to either of these exhibits, please contact the Military Liaison for the Arts or you can send donations for RoG directly to IAM by clicking here.
Yours, toward restoration and peace,
Ron Kelsey, Germany
Nonprofit Artist, Military Liaison for the Arts
ron.v.kelsey (at) us.army.mil
RoG Vol 4, Part 2: Healing through Music
As the daughter of a retired Army officer, I have a deep affection for you who wear a uniform and lay aside your own comfort and safety for ours. I see you in McDonalds, or the airport, and feel we must somehow know each other, you and I, because the military was my family as I grew up moving frequently.
But I never had to send my father off to a war or be separated from him during holidays or birthdays - though I know he would have sacrificed in that way if he'd been so called. Your quiet heroism moves us, and though you don't get to see or touch our gratitude, the fact that we sleep well at night is a testimony to the effectiveness of your work. Thank you.
Thank you.
As Christmas comes this week...wherever you are...this is my ongoing song for you (written for the 10th Mountain Division, where we did the first Reflections of Generosity Exhibition)...
Take care of your heart
Take the long road, if that's where peace is born
Take the beauty from the ashes
Let the beauty rise up, because that's where Hope comes from...
Wishing for a peaceful 2010 to you and yours...may you feel our love and our thanks...
Christa Wells
Singer/Songwriter
RoG Vol 4: Healing through Music
This process of healing through music was also experienced at the Reflections of Generosity opening at Fort Drum on 19 August 09. Christa Wells, Christy Tennant, and Kyla Kelsey performed music to an audience of soldiers, artists, and their families. Christa Wells dedicated one of her songs to the 10th Mountain DIV of Fort Drum, which has the history of being one of the most deployed divisions in the United States. As she played On the Mountain, the following words captivated the audience:I’ve been climbing my whole life
and I’m only at the bottom of the mountain,
at the bottom of the mountain
Rising up from my feet in the daylight
rising up into the clouds and out of my sight
is the height of that mountain
Well my hands cannot reach it and my mind can’t comprehend it
but my soul is gonna get there one day
No, my hands cannot reach it and my mind can’t comprehend it
but my soul is gonna get there one day...
The emotional turmoil of these ongoing sacrifices during the holidays are experienced by us all. Christy Tennant paid tribute to a soldier that influenced her life when she sang “Song for a Soldier I Met on a Plane” at Fort Drum:
I saw a man dressed in desert brown
His name on his chest and a baby in his arms
His bride was crying as she kissed him goodbye
I prayed for them as as I boarded my flight
Turned out that we were seated side by side
Tried to make small talk as the plane took flight
I wanted to tell him how grateful I was
For the work that he was doing on behalf of all of us
And, "I am praying for you, And I am pulling for you
As I remember every word you said
And I am cheering for you, And I am hoping for you
To finish strong, my friend...
As my family endures the challenges of ongoing deployments, we use art and song to facilitate healing within our home. After I returned from Iraq, Kyla wrote the song "Love, Life," to describe the emotional challenges of being separated from me and raising three kids on her own:
Entering into the dark unknowing, throwing
All that we have to the dark
With our love lights glowing.
Love Life, how can we last for so
Long, Love, many have passed before
We, Have, so much to give to this world.
Everyone knows who we are 'cause you're going
All of us trying so hard to be strong.
Love Life, how can we last for so
Long, Love, many have passed before
We, Have, so much to give to this world.
Watching the look in his eyes, it's breaking
Giving him their hugs goodbye is so hard...
Hearing these songs I cherish the traveling art exhibit Reflections of Generosity. The creators represent the same wave of influence that brings about harmony toward restoration and peace. Our combined thoughts and efforts form a landscape of art with the capacity to make history. The stanzas of art represent the uniform music that is formed after all the artisans have played their part. Surrounding each artist is the audience of the world. Through harmony, change is orchestrated that will reverberate toward unity of purpose for all of mankind.
Yours, toward restoration and peace,
Ron Kelsey, Germany
Nonprofit Artist, Military Liaison for the Arts
ron.v.kelsey (at) us.army.mil
RoG Vol 3: Honoring Soldiers
Fellow Artists and Soldiers,Thirteen civilians and soldiers died honorably at Fort Hood on 5 November 2009. Looking at their lives, I see a history of generosity—actions taken to defend nations and voluntary service for freedom around the world. Today I want to pay homage to their legacy by sharing four works from Reflections of Generosity.
Fort Jackson is not known for being the center of the art world. Most know it as where men and women joining the military go through basic training. In the above photo entitled “Welcome to the Army,” Neil Jones captures the initial experience among Fort Jackson soldiers, their first step in upholding military standards. Neil (former U.S. Army SSG) explains this work further:
'Welcome to the Army' shows U.S Army recruits at basic training only moments after their very first haircuts. By showing the backs of the Soldiers' heads, revealing the immediate results of this ritualized event, the work addresses the notion of identity (the removal of the last vestige of civilian life initiates the recruit into the world of the Soldier), the power of the Army’s indoctrination process ("breaking you down to build you back up"), and finally (and perhaps contradictorily) the uniqueness and humanity of those who serve, challenging the perception that Soldiers are mindless automatons.
Prior to the Reflection of Generosity exhibit at Fort Drum, I watched Jay Walker install his painting “Fatigue." As he unveiled his work, an image of a uniform floating in space, memories of the many soldiers who paid the ultimate price for freedom flooded my mind, and I experienced the void and grief that remains after such honorary sacrifices.
After recruits receive their first haircut and uniform, they are taught honor through the Soldiers Creed. Sandra Ceas captures the essence of this creed in her sound wave digital print “Soldier's Creed” (below). Her work is a tribute to the values of a soldier, who’s daily commitment to defending freedom and democracy enables progress toward restoration and peace.
Makoto Fujimura mentions in Refractions the benefit and value of such freedom:
We have a very unique patronage system that encourages democratic patronage of the arts, such as the National Endowment for the Arts . . . connected with the Shakespeare in American Communities program, the Jazz Masters program, and the touring of Martha Graham dance troops . . . These distinctively American forms of art, I would argue, are the greatest fruits of our democracy. And we have every reason to celebrate and broadcast with pride what freedom has brought us (Makoto Fujimura, Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art, and Culture, page 111).
When I returned home from Iraq in May of 2009, experiencing the honor and value of freedom I and my fellow comrades had fought for was so poignant that I was inspired to create the Homecoming IR Flag lithograph edition. And as I presented these prints to multiple Soldiers returning from Iraq, I again faced the emotional turmoil of the battlefield and of reintegration at home. But I am here, and I long to honor the fallen, whose sacrifices prevent them from experiencing the homecoming they deserve.
Yours, toward restoration and peace,
Ron Kelsey, Germany
Nonprofit Artist, Military Liaison for the Arts
ron.v.kelsey (at) us.army.mil
Reflections of Generosity Volume 2: Remembering Heroes
(Pamela Moore photo info: “Moment In Time” 4 Printed Fabric 4x6 ft each TriBeCa Temporary Gallery NYC)
Walking slowly, the whirling blur of a distant movie came into view
Impending Danger threatened my Soul
Inexplicably, Reason left me. I could not See
Floating Illusions surrounded me
Fear scaled to a higher Octave
Time has Stopped
All that Was
was not.
(Pamela Moore, 2001)
Fellow Artists and Soldiers
The above statement and artwork was written and created by Pamela Moore after witnessing the tragedy's of 9-11. Reading her statement, I see a connection to the tragedies of Fort Hood on 5 November 2009. In both circumstances, the perpetrators claimed to find honor in such vengeance. Beyond the grief of such claims and loss of heroes, I recall the hope from a single candle that burned at TriBeCa Temporary Exhibit, April 2003, which reflected upon heroic sacrifice.
Makoto Fujimura remembered heroes during this exhibit saying:
The rescuers, along with other heroes of 9-11, redefined life’s true expression of beauty, which was forgotten by the ‘convoluted theory’ of recent times. The firefighter’s ‘art’ was their sacrifice. Their lives were offered up in response to the terrorist’s ‘art’ of vengeance in their ‘last extremity.’ Compared to the vengeance, those who sacrificed their own lives so that others could find life was the true mentanoia, turning 180 degrees to face death head-on rather than fleeing. Through their sacrificial love, we can begin to know and experience true beauty. (Makoto Fujimura, Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art, and Culture, page 55)In the same way, the Soldiers and Police Officers that stood up in defense of Fort Hood faced death head-on. Their art was their sacrifice.
Yours Toward Restoration and Peace,
Ron Kelsey, Germany
Nonprofit Artist, Military Liaison for the Arts
ron.v.kelsey (at) us.army.mil
Reflections of Generosity Volume 1
As I wear the uniform of the U.S Army, as I plan the next exhibit of Reflections of Generosity, from New York to Germany, I have expressed my interest with IAM to share these experiences as they unfold. The upcoming exhibit will provide military soldiers and spouses an opportunity to respond to the stresses of ongoing deployments through their own artwork and music. Many artists from RoG (Ft. Drum), as well as additional artists who have heard about the exhibition, plan to participate in Germany.
Last month I was asked by the military to create a nonprofit lithograph edition to benefit the soldiers of 2-159 AVN BN when they return home from Iraq. As the challenges and stress of deployments continue, the Army often uses art as a way to honor and support soldiers as they return home from the battlefield. In this way, RoG represents a tribute not only to the heroes of 9-11 and soldiers who have given their lives in recent conflicts, but also serves as a way to honor those who continue to serve toward restoration and peace.
Makoto Fujimura, in his essay “Refractions 1: Peacemakers” explains how art can create peace:
Art can play a central role in our making of peace. Jim Hall, the legendary guitarist, in receiving the Jazz Masters Award this January, stated: “Jazz is our great peacemaker.” When jazz musicians travel around the world (they are more respected today outside of the US than inside), their music carries a message of collaboration, the freedom of improvisation, of community — really the fruits of democracy.
During my deployment to Iraq, I read Mako's latest book, “Refractions,” to find peace on the battlefield (pictured left). The following words I wrote to describe this experience: Sitting in a bomb shelter, in front of Saddam Hussein’s former palace in Baghdad, Iraq, I found relief from the burning sun to reflect upon Refractions. As I read the quote below, I was approached by a soldier I had never met before, who requested to take my photograph. In that moment of time, SSgt Gonzalez unknowingly captured me being moved and inspired by the following words:
"God appeared in flesh via the babe in a manger, bridging eternal gaps in the incarnation: Flesh, therefore, is given the weight of glory. God came, supped as a man, and bled to bring our bodies and spirits to merge into heaven. He defined humanity within his own body. As Dutch art historian Hans Rookmaaker famously stated, 'Christ did not come to make us Christians . . . but that he came to redeem us that we might be human in the full sense of the word.' Our Lord humbled himself to have a body, to make himself vulnerable, to be lifted up in ignominy, and to find resurrection in that glorious body. (Makoto Fujimura, Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art, and Culture, page 81)
Yours toward restoration and peace
Ron Kelsey, Germany
Nonprofit Artist, Military Liaison for the Arts
ron.v.kelsey (at) us.army.mil
Call for Participation: RoG 2010 (Germany)
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
Reflections of Generosity 2010 (Germany)
Opening TBD - September 11, 2010
As soldiers and their families come to grips with ongoing deployments, the need for emotional and spiritual healing is greater than ever.
Reflections of Generosity: Toward Restoration and Peace is a traveling exhibition about the power of painting, sculpture, and even song to facilitate restoration through generosity, community, and beauty.
Artwork and performances will be shown that reflect the spirit of ongoing generosity demonstrated by the military. It will be dedicated to the memory of the heroes of 9-11 and the soldiers who have given their lives in recent conflicts.
In the spirit of the exhibit’s theme, there is no charge to participate. Submissions will be reviewed by a jury of artists.
For information about submitting your artwork, please contact:
Ron KelseyNonprofit Artist, Military Liaison for the Arts
ron.v.kelsey (at) us.army.mil
Reflections of Generosity Blog
Stay up to date on all the latest news regarding IAM's work on behalf of the military.