THE MISSING PEACE: THE DALAI LAMA PORTRAIT PROJECT

The Missing Peace: The Dalai Lama Portrait Project is the result of a collaboration between the Committee of 100 for Tibet and the Dalai Lama Foundation—and the result of the efforts of more than fifty artists. It will be an exhibit composed of sculpture, photography, painting, video and other media that will tour the world beginning in 2006, visiting major venues in major cities.

We see this project as a unique opportunity to explore the idea of art as an interpretation of, and a catalyst for, peace. The project and exhibition title is an evocative play on words—peace may be elusive, or missing, in our world—but the Dalai Lama consistently shows that dedicating oneself to peace is anything but pointless. The word “portrait” is used very loosely. Artists will be free to explore whatever they find meaningful in the life and work of the Dalai Lama; each “portrait” will be the result of personal interpretation.

Fifty artists have been selected to participate, including Laurie Anderson, Ken Aptekar, Richard Avedon, Guy Buffet, Adam Fuss, Jenny Holzer, Michal Rovner, Bill Viola and Katarina Wong. Many of the artists will be creating new work for the exhibition in a wide variety of media, including photography, painting, textiles, animation, sculpture, video, and installation works.

Through the work of the featured artists, we hope to broaden appreciation for the principles the Dalai Lama has exemplified throughout his lifetime of service, and to inspire people around the world to make their own irreplaceable contributions to a more peaceful world. We are in the process of developing curriculum materials to accompany the exhibit that will provide a framework for individuals to move from inspiration to continued study and engagement.