Healing: Peace Day

     Today marks the 100 day countdown to the International Day of Peace. I began to think about this day, and how my final thoughts of my recent class presentation were tied nicely to this idea of how we can create peace, with countries around the world. So that we can begin to heal from past relationships, that have caused us hurt. Healing is a journey, with the requirement of baby steps. It is not an easy process, because it also means to travel to the space of the unknown, only this time there will be memories that are tied to this space, because in this context we are trying to move from a position of pain, to that of healing.

Library of Congress - Thomas Jefferson Building 

Below are some images that are taken from a book showcasing the library of congress. The art work, and also the library itself, it is a fine example of how institutions, and artifacts can open our eyes, to look past the hurts. 

Painting In The Dome 

Edwin Howlan Blashfield's Murals: The figures represent the civilizations of Egypt, Judea, Greece, Rome, Islam, the Middle Ages, Italy, Germany, Spain, England, France, and the Culmination of America (Cole, 2008, p. 53).

The North Gallery 

The North Gallery became the African and Middle Eastern reading room. This room contains the many surnames of renowned painters, sculptors, musicians, scientists, theologians, physicians and jurists (2008, p. 82 - 83).        

The South West Dome

The paintings on the ceiling in the South-West Dome are by George Willoughby Maynard. They show case the subjects of: Adventure, Discovery, conquest and civilization. The four figures represent the development of a country, these are: Courage, Valor, Fortitude, and Achievement. 

The tablets on the walls bear the following words: Arts, letters, Toleration, Spain, Enterprise, Opportunity, Fortune, Portugal, India, Eldorado, America, France (2008, 87 - 89).

Comment
This book if full of arts, and architecture that is rich resource to showcase the Library of Congress and the Thomas Jefferson Building, yet also as I mentioned in my opening thoughts, eye opening as to how we as nations and human beings can try to heal from past hurts.​

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :) 

Reference 
Cole, J, Y., Highsmith, M. C. (2008).  On These Wall: Inscriptions & Quotations in the Library of Congress. Washington, DC : Scala Arts Publishers, Inc. 

Image 1 Weblink 
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