The community art project Temenos Books emerged from the conviction that envisioning an act of compassion is the first step to living it, and that art has the capacity to engage inner dialogue with the external issues of the world.
Sally Linder and I created the project using contemplative practices and ecological awareness games with the invitation to envision images of a positive future, while introducing the Earth Charter, an international document of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society. www.earthcharter.org.
Project History:
In 1999 visual artists Cami Davis and Sally Linder came together with a small group of artists in the studio of Janet Fredericks to discuss their common concerns about the state of the world: ecological devastation, poverty and violence. Out of their questioning arose a collaborative idea. As artists they recognized that art is a process that promotes insights and changes in awareness preceding meaningful action. They sought to establish gatherings where they could creatively address world issues as artists. In ancient Greek thought the Temenos is a protected and reflective space where extraordinary things can occur. Creating Temenos together they each created handmade books filled with visual prayers and affirmations.
Davis and Linder went on to create The Temenos Books Project, Images for Global Healing, Peace and Gratitude, which facilitated book making gatherings in private and public spaces. This community arts project used the creation of images of hope and gratitude as an introduction to the Earth Charter, an international document of principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society. They envisioned the project would represent the voice of Vermont’s support when the Earth Charter was originally planned to go before the General Assembly of the United Nations for endorsement in the Fall of 2001.
University of Vermont students with Department of Art & Art History faculty Cami Davis, facilitated numerous Temenos gatherings as part of their interdisciplinary class on Art & Ecology. They were invited to be innovative in how they might present the Earth Charter and Temenos Books to high school students. One memorable presentation they entered on rollerblades — catching the students attention! More than 50 schools in Vermont participated in the Temenos Books Project. Twenty-One towns in Vermont endorsed the Earth Charter during town meeting.
Sally Linder went on to design and paint the Ark of Hope as a place of refuge for the Temenos Books , in collaboration with cabinet maker Kevin Jenness, and lined by visual artist Beth Haggart.
On September 9, 2001, the largest Temenos gathering took place for the event For Love of Earth, A Celebration of the Earth Charter at the Breeding Barn at Shelburne Farms, Vermont. This was where the Earth Charter was first introduced in the United States. Buddhist Ecologist and University of Vermont Program Director, Stephanie Kaza led everyone in a meditation contemplating the global ethics of the charter. Sitting at tables with art supplies the 2000 participants created their images of global healing. The day was filled with inspirational speakers, Jane Goodall, Steven C. Rockefeller, and Satish Kumar — with dance, visual art, the Essex Children’s choir and music by Paul Winter.
The plan was to transport the Ark of Hope with the books to the UN when the Earth Charter was scheduled to be up for endorsement in November, 2001.
However, on September 11, 2001, in the aftermath of the attack on the twin towers in New York, while cleaning up from the Earth Charter event, Sally Linder, Janet Fredericks, Andrea Morgante and Barbara Waters decided that if was time to take the Ark of Hope to New York and that is should be walked as a pilgrimage to share the Earth Charter message. The Ark of Hope with the Temenos Books were exhibited at the United Nations in January of 2002, and then traveled to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing greater visibility to the Earth Charter.
The Temenos Books Project continued to be shared around the world, wherever the Ark traveled, as well as in schools. On notable Art Teacher Lynn Rublee, continued to share the work for years following the project.
For more information about the Ark of Hope see: https://sallylinder.com/ark-of-hope
2025
The Ark of Hope and Temenos Books will be on display at the event, Renewing Our Love of Earth, 25th Earth Charter Anniversary
https://shelburnefarms.org/calendar/renewing-our-love-earth-earth-charter-25th-anniversary