Bakersfield Life

All > Community
Interactive Art Exhibit to Honor U.S. Service Men And Women
Topics:
Anonymous user Fri Oct 19, 2007 08:36:38 PDT
Viewed 492 times
0 responses 0 comments This unique Angel Art Project will be a large scale art installation celebrating "freedom of expression" through the medium of digital art. Measuring nine feet tall and in the shape of an Angel, the montage of digital art featuring artists Mary Hamilton, Aliza McCracken and Friends throughout the globe will be dedicated to men and women in the U.S. Military (both current and Veterans) who help to preserve our First Amendment right: The freedom of speech.  And the Angel's wings will be created from prayers written by the public, making this an interactive public art experience.

The art installation will be on display October 20 - December 31 in the gallery at Things From Heaven--the world's largest Angel store--located at 365 East Main Street in Ventura, California.  During the two-and-a-half month showing, contributors and the public are invited to two key events:

* An Opening Reception for all artists on Sat., Oct. 20 from 4-7pm
* A day-long celebration of live music and special guests on Sat., Nov. 3 during Ventura's Artwalk.

The Angel Art Project entitled, "On a Wing and a Prayer" was inspired by a famous World War II patriotic song about a pilot praying while flying his damaged plane back to base.  This phrase, "On a Wing and a Prayer" originated with the WWII patriotic song, "Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer" (1943) by Harold Adamson and Jimmie McHugh:

Comin' in on a wing and a prayer
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer
Though there's one motor gone
We can still carry on
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer . . .

While traditional exhibitions display art pieces in isolated examination, the Angel Art Project will position the digital art and prayers in elaborate groupings and shapes, including the creation of its centerpiece, the nine-foot Angel.  It will be an immersive prayer and art experience where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.  The Angel Art Project's goal is to give voice and "freedom of expression" to the diversity of contributors.

The Angel Art will be a companion in the Things From Heaven gallery/store to the already more than 18,000 prayers from around the world that adorn a "spontaneous" shrine which was started when a customer submitted her prayer request over 12 years ago.

Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization who sends care packages to those in the military deployed in hostile regions such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay and on military ships at sea, will include a digital print of the Angel inside every care package (over 50,000 Veterans Day/50,000 Christmas = 100,000 total care packages) sent out this Holiday season.

Its mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and to express to all troops the appreciation and support of the American people.  Operation Gratitude receives the names of thousands of troops from commanders in the field who see the positive impact of care packages on their troops' morale.  For security reasons, all assembling of packages occurs at the National Guard armory in Van Nuys, CA.

For additional viewing of Aliza's artistry, visit Russo's Books at the Marketplace, Borders Books and www.barnesandnoble.com where you can purchase all of her Award-Winning inspirational art/poetry books: "Creative Abundance," "Spirit of Joy," "Pure Grace" and "The Dance of Love."  A portion of the book sales benefit World Vision, Make A Wish and compassionate ministries.  Also, check out Aliza's online gallery at www.alizamccracken.com.  

Send to a Friend

Report a Violation