I have been involved with the conservation of wildlife for many years as a founding member of the DHKD (Society for the Protection of Nature) in 1975 and the WWF-Turkey (World Wide Fund for Nature) in 1996.
As an artist with such a background it was a source of great pride and also a challenge to create an artkilim ‘tapestry’ to present as a gift of WWF Turkey to the former Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, a world renowned global climate change ambassador.
To begin the process of creating this special design, I made several digital sketches. I wanted to create a bold, powerful design that was both straightforward and as to the point as Mr. Gore’s slide presentations. (Image-1)
As an artist with such a background it was a source of great pride and also a challenge to create an artkilim ‘tapestry’ to present as a gift of WWF Turkey to the former Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, a world renowned global climate change ambassador.
To begin the process of creating this special design, I made several digital sketches. I wanted to create a bold, powerful design that was both straightforward and as to the point as Mr. Gore’s slide presentations. (Image-1)
When Mr. Gore came to present his lecture on climate change, an event organized by WWF-Turkey and supported by Garanti Bank, at the Ciragan Palace Hotel on June 12, 2007, I had the privilege to personally present my work to him. (Image-2)
Al Gore, Akin Öngör The President of WWF-Turkey, Gülin Öngör and Belkis Balpinar‘The World Cornered’ kilim’s regrettable disappearance gave me another opportunity to prepare new sketches from which Mr. Gore could personally select the final design. I was excited to perform the design, ‘World in Danger,’ the personal choice of a great environmental activist. Accordingly, the second piece was finished and sent to Mr. Gore, a gift from WWF-Turkey. (Image - 3)
As an artist, I want to express how extremely proud I am to have had the opportunity to create this artkilim. Additionally, I wish to present my gratitude to WWF-Turkey and Garanti Bank for giving me the opportunity to create this special piece for such a great man and his quest to raise public awareness about global warming.
what a great adventure for an artpiece..
ReplyDeletebanu, istanbul
Your work is stunning!
ReplyDeleteI am requesting permission to use an image of one of these pieces for Al Gore in a book that I am writing entitled Peace Fibres: Stitching a Soulful World. In it, I enlist fibre work as metaphor and manifestation of harmonious relationship to self, others, and the larger world. I would use this photograph to enhance text that discusses the political role played by fibre work.
May I use an image? Please advise of any fees involved. I would, of course, cite you as artist and your website as source.
Peace Fibres will be self published through Integral Press. I anticipate printing in early 2011, with an initial run of 1200.
Thanks for considering my request. I look forward to your response.
Respectfully,
Karen Lohn
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; it's the only thing that ever has..." - Margaret Mead