One of the highlights of the John Lennon birthday tribute in Liverpool is coming from a young American. Nineteen-year-old Lauren Voiers from Cleveland has created a monument called "Peace and Harmony" that will being unveiled in the city's Chavez Park by Julian Lennon. Voiers also has a painting of the monument (see the slideshow below) that will also being displayed in Liverpool.
She says it was the music that was the inspiration behind the design of the statue. "I first made the 'Peace and Harmony' painting depicting the world consumed by musical instruments including a guitar, saxophone, piano, musical notes and a staff, with hands releasing doves of peace from the top. The musical component represents my idea that music is the common thread that binds all people," she says.
"I thought that the painting needed to transform into something real, three-dimensional because it represents something meaningful in this world. The monument itself was created in 3-D form based on my painting. It is made of aluminum, built in three sections and stands 18 feet tall. It includes a glass white feather in the mouth of the highest dove representing the spirit of John Lennon. This feather was done at the request of Julian Lennon, as it represents the white feather that John Lennon told Julian would be a sign that he was OK in the event he passed away." (Voiers has a blog post where she discusses more about its creation. A video with Voiers discussing the statue is on this page.)
Voiers was recognized in grade school for her artistic talents. In high school, She won many state and national art awards. She was introduced to the Beatles' music by her parents.
How did someone so young get interested in John Lennon enough to do this statue? "I think age doesn’t have too much emphasis on how a person can be interested in John Lennon," she says. "My 14-year-old sister and 13-year-old brother love John Lennon and the Beatles and many young people today enjoy the very real and raw nature of their music. John was and is still today the most relative musical figure within the last 100 years. He was a musician, artist and a peace activist. In today’s society, I think that John’s views on anti-war and world peace are needed more than ever."
"Peace and Harmony" is not her first work about the Beatles. "I have made ‘Beatles’ paintings that are glimpses into some of my favorite Beatles tunes, such as ‘Come Together’, ‘Strawberry Fields’ and ‘Lucy in the Sky’. I’ve also contributed to the John Lennon Time Capsule presented by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Box of Vision http://www.boxofvision.com/TImeCapsule/ by sending a video of my birthday wishes to John and my personal thoughts on his legacy."
And she says other Beatles works are likely. "I’m sure I’ll always be adding to my ‘Beatles/Lennon’ collection. I never get tired of it."
Voiers says she's looking forward to visiting Liverpool for the unveiling. "I am very excited about going sightseeing in Liverpool. I’ve been there once before and got a quick tour but I was only there for a few days, so it’ll be wonderful to have more time to really breathe in the legacies and memories that exist there."
Comments
Im glad is not one 'of him" because I keep recalling how in a NME or Melody Maker interview shortly after Elvis died that John said he did not want statues put up of him or bldings named for him like they were doing all over for Elvis. He said he did not want to be a toilet for the pigeons. Alas, the statue at and bldging : John Lennon Airport.
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