Dear Friends,
Therese Saliba has
requested that I forward this copy of a dated but immediately still relevant
proposal. I believe that this proposed sculpture, titled
"Reflecting on Peace and Justice" and the accompanying on-line
memorial to Rachel Corrie, are now attainable as a complete donation to the
college. The sculpture is sighted for an ideal, meditative
on-campus outdoor location near Evergreen’s Communications building and
represents a permanent tribute to Rachel Corrie’s ideals of peace and justice for
everyone.
Once again, we have a
brief window of opportunity to build support and to help make this
happen. Let’s do it!
Therese has offered
the goal of dedicating "Reflecting on Peace and Justice" April 8th
or 9th in conjunction with the 2011 Rachel Corrie Foundation Peace
Works event (and possibly Alice Walker’s visit to The Evergreen State College).
Please think about it
and get back to Therese with your ideas for what needs to happen and what you
are willing to do to help.
Thank you and very
sincerely,
Ross
Matteson Sculptor, Class of 1980
PS As sculptor,
I have no interest in promoting my part in this effort and discourage anyone
overly making the connection. In fact, many people have and are
continuing to collaborate on the design, choice of location, seating,
installation and financing. Many more will co-author the message
before we are done. There is a small inscription of my last name in
the support form with 1/8 inch high letters which amply suffice for my
connection to the effort. Thanks again.
Proposal
“Reflecting on Peace and Justice”
Rachel Corrie Memorial & Archives Proposal
Submitted by Therese Saliba (other faculty, retired faculty, staff, retired
staff, students and alumni names here)
Rationale
Since the death of
Rachel Corrie in March 2003, she has become an international figure for peace
and justice. Many noted intellectuals have written about Rachel’s courage and
heroism, including Susan Sontag, Edward Said, Naomi Klein, and many others.
In the days and weeks
following her death, several proposals were put forth to honor Rachel on the
Evergreen campus with a permanent memorial or peace garden, but none of these
have yet been actualized. Instead, a temporary memorial grew up as community
members and visitors contributed photos, artwork from local school children,
letters and poetry from international contributors, etc. Much of this material
is of archival value and has been maintained by faculty, students, and
community members on campus in an impermanent way over the past five years in
Seminar 2. This memorial was recently displaced by office moves.Since March 2003,
Rachel’s life story and her writing have circulated globally with powerful
impact. The play My Name is Rachel Corrie has reached audiences
worldwide, in Haifa, Lima, Montreal, Athens, New York, Des Moines, Seattle, and
scores of cities more, with showings performed or scheduled throughout Europe,
and in South Africa, Australia, even Iceland.
Moreover, in March 2008
Let Me Stand Alone: The Journals of Rachel Corriewas released as a major publication by W.W. Norton Publishing. Celebrated poet
Adrienne Rich wrote the following endorsement: “Rachel Corrie, killed by
an American-made bulldozer in Gaza at 23, was no holy fool, no saint or
girl-martyr or crazy poet. Young, she consciously made herself an
apprentice in the craft of language; became a critical observer of herself and
others; a developing social activist and witness; a soul reaching for other
souls, attending to the worlds of both nature and politics; a practical
idealist in the best American tradition.” Rachel’s writings are also rich
with descriptions of her local community of Olympia and her studies here at The
Evergreen State College. Yet Rachel’s story is much larger than our
community and has connected Evergreen and Olympia to the international
community. People have traveled from around the world to visit the
Rachel’s makeshift memorial at Evergreen, including such notable figures as
British actor and playwright, Alan Rickman, and Israeli filmmaker, Simone
Bitton. In addition, peace activists from Israel, Palestine, India, journalists
from Europe have visited Rachel’s memorial, and local community members
continue to gather on March 16 to honor Rachel and her commitment to peace and
justice.
Many in the Evergreen
community, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni, support the
establishment of a permanent memorial to Rachel Corrie on our campus. The
below sculpture, made possible by a gift from Evergreen alum Ross Matteson
(1980), emphasizes Rachel Corrie’s commitment to peace and encourages viewers
to reflect on their role in creating peace and justice in the world.
Artist Ross Matteson
writes, “I appreciate this opportunity to present an existing sculpture in an
exquisite location set back and across from the entrance to the Communications
Building. As you can see below, “Reflecting on Peace and Justice”
features a bronze dove supported by a 3-sided polished stainless steel pyramid.
The high polish is important because it reflects the image of any viewer
who lowers themselves to experience the dove up close. For those who
take time to view the dove closely, the supporting composition invites them to
not only honor Rachel’s internationally recognized commitment to non-violent
activism, but to think about what each of us can do or has done for peace.
The pyramid makes a nod to the Middle East but is three sided, not
four sided. The mirrored finish on the pyramid will reflect the
wooded environment around the piece, helping to float the more opaque dove.
Rachel was a true Northwesterner in her love of the forest.
But my surreal support form literally focuses the viewer’s
attention on the dove. It is not intended to be a comfortable perch
for this symbol of peace. I feel that there is a need for some
tension in the subject of Rachel’s example.”The memorial engravings
would include text that reads, “Reflecting on Peace & Justice: In
Memory of Rachel Corrie 1979-2003.” It would also include a
link to a website where the materials in the makeshift memorial could be
archived, and TESC library staff have offered assistance with this process.
Bob Leverich, through his program Green Studio, has agreed to construct
three unique benches, one of which will replace the existing bench on the site,
surrounding the sculpture to invite viewers to reflection as their images are
mirrored in the polished bronze dove. Frederica Bowcutt has agreed to
consult on any further plantings that might surround the sculpture, though
these would be minimal. Many other faculty, staff, students, and alumni have
expressed support in offered assistance in establishing and maintaining this
memorial.
The attached images show
a rough simulation of a concrete base under the sculpture (photographic work
courtesy of Bob Iyall, graduate and former instructor at Evergreen)
We have also included
the attached budget for the completion of this project. It is our hope to
inaugurate this memorial at the Peace Works conference on April 8-9, 2011 at
the Evergreen State College.
We look forward to your
prompt reply
Sincerely,Therese Saliba (faculty,
retired faculty, staff, retired staff, students and alumni names hereFor the Rachel Corrie
Memorial planning committee
Budget
Sculpture,
Sculpture Installation and Plaques: $15,000 (estimated value)
$5,000 donated towards sculpture by the Rachel Corrie Foundation (approved by
RCF board 9/3/08)
$10,000 donated in labor and materials by Matteson family and friends
Bench design and installation:
$10,000 (estimated value)*
$10,000
labor donated by Bob Leverich and students, in
conjunction with his program “Green Studio” program
Bench materials: $1,500
Archival process & website:
$2,000
$ 0 -
$2,000 donated by programs, student groups, and interested community member
Total Costs: $ 28,500.00
Total Donations: $ 25,000.00 - $
27,000.00
Actual Evergreen funds needed:
$1500 - $3500
Links
http://rachelcorriefoundation.org/
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