IMAGINE PEACE FOR 10 YEARS
A LIGHT FOR PEACE This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Imagine Peace Tower, dedicated to John Lennon by Yoko Ono in 2007. Emanating the light of wisdom, healing and joy, the Imagine Peace Tower communicates awareness to the whole world that peace and love is what connects all lives on Earth.
The Imagine Peace Tower is an out door artwork located on Viðey Island just outside Reykjavik’s harbor. Every year, around October 9th—Lennon’s birth day—Yoko Ono visits Reykjavik to light the Imagine Peace Tower in his memory and present the LennonOno Grant for Peace. This year, four renowned artists were given a grant which they then assigned to a cause of their choice. The artists are Ai Weiwei, Anish Kapoor, Katalin Ladic and Olafur Eliasson. Previous recipients of the award have included Doctors Without Borders, Josh Fox, Michael Pollan, Alice Walker, The Center for Constitutional Rights, Pussy Riot, Art Production Fund,
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WOW Power to the people
Yoko Ono.
Olafur Eliasson
Lady Gaga and the late Rachel Corrie. Yoko said of the four recipients, “I am so proud to see such deserving recipients and causes chosen to receive this year’s grants. These people and organizations work tirelessly to try and improve our fragile world by fostering peace, education, health and aid to those most in need of it and should be given our love, attention and gratitude, if we are truly devoted to peace and hope across the world.” SEE THE LIGHT From October 9th, Lennon’s birthday, to December 8th, the anniversary of his death, the great column of light can
be seen from around the capital area as it reaches high into the sky. With a background of Northern Lights, it is especially impressive, but the strength, intensity and brilliance of its light continually changes with the prevailing weather and atmospheric conditions unique to Iceland. While the Imagine Peace Tower is lit, a ferry leaves from Skarfabakki pier to Viðey Island every night at 8 PM. The world certainly needs more peace. Taking a look at the white light column of the Imagine Peace Tower on a cool, crisp October or November evening can be a spiritual experience. Dress warm, take a moment and send out a wish for peace. v