Second Genesis, The Peace Park of Ravenna Italy.
La Secunda Genesi al Parco della Pace. Commune di Ravenna, Italia.
“It is the image of GAIA.” - Dr. James Lovelock, the British environmental scientist whose influential GAIA theory sees the Earth as a living organism gravely imperiled by human activity.
The artist, Jerry Carter cutting smalti as he creates Second Genesis.
Second Genesis. American Peace Ecology Monument. A memorial to Life on a Living Earth. By Jerry W. Carter. Parco della Pace, Ravenna, Italy. 1983.
Carter's Second Genesis Peace Monument is addressed to all people of all religions, political persuasions and cultures. The artist asks on behalf of all life on Earth and for the love of God (however defined), to stop conflict and create a universal protective international peace so that we can focus on saving life on our planet. This message he hopes will radiate from Ravenna throughout the world.
Second Genesis details. Murano smalti, Arabia porcelain and concrete relief.
Carter’s “Second Genesis” monument is a universal call for harmony, reaching out to people of all faiths, political views, and cultural backgrounds. Through this work, the artist makes a heartfelt plea on behalf of all living things on Earth and for the love of God (however you want to define Him). He calls on humanity to end conflict and establish a universal and protective international peace, allowing us to focus our collective efforts on preserving life on our planet. Carter envisions this powerful message radiating from Ravenna to the entire world.
The creation of this monumental work began with a prestigious international artistic commission meeting in Rome. Chaired by the renowned art historian Giulio Carlo Argan, the commission included such notable figures as Palma Bucarelli, Mario Manieri Elia, Achille Bonito Oliva, and Pierre Restany. After careful deliberation, they selected Carter to design and build a work for the Parco della Pace in Ravenna.
"Second Genesis" was created under the patronage of numerous influential entities, including the President of the Italian Republic, the Italian Ministry of Culture, the European Parliament, UNESCO, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, the Council of Europe, the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Municipality of Ravenna, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, D.C., and the United Nations. In recognition of the significance of the Ravenna Peace Park, 1988 was proclaimed the Year of Peace, further emphasizing the monument's importance in promoting global harmony.
Selezione e Patrocinio del Concorso
Reviews of Carter’s Second Genesis Monumental Mosaic
Lmages and written texts about Second Genesis have been published in many countries. Publications include: ‘The Washington Post’, ‘Echo Planet’ Tass Magazine, The ‘Helsingin Sanomat’, ‘Carlino Romagna’, ‘The World and I’, ‘La Repubblica’, ‘Ravenna Oggi’, ‘Cover ‘World Resources Institute, Annual Report Sustaining Global Resources’, ‘AMBIO’. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, ‘Decorative Arts Magazine’ Moscow, “Monumental Mosaic” ‘Sun Magazine’ and more.
Prof. Isotta Roncuzzi Fiorentini. President A.I.M.C.: “Second Genesis, by the American artist Jerry W. Carter, represents the links between ancient Byzantine aesthetics and contemporary aesthetics. This close connection between Byzantine art and its religious tension is its “point”. It is a point, a demonstration of a “state of being” that is found in more than its basic criteria of formal aesthetics. It is noted between the Old and the New, which Carter contains for the viewer in "Second Genesis". Carter, in fact, interprets a modern message of salvation. The message inserted in Byzantine art, which focuses on the theme of Christian salvation: it is Carter's confrontation with the theme of salvation, in the context of the Life of the Planet.* “The most striking elements within the mosaic are the great clarity of the colors and the movement within the composition as a whole, it is the luminosity [of Carter's Image] that produces the vibrant effect of the vision and its message. So is the final message, despite the artist's two interpretations: Life and Death, it is a positive message of faith in humanity's ability to adapt constructively to the world within the new vision of our system of life formed by space exploration. “It is this mosaic, which could not have been conceptualized or created before the era of space exploration. It is, in fact, a vision through an artistic interpretation of the image of the earth, seen as a transmission from space missions. The search through the white tesserae, the blue night ceramic suggests our planet and visions of solar systems; a geometric curve indicates the atmosphere of our planet. An area of refined reflective surface expresses the energy that springs from the encounters of matter and antimatter, reaching the outer limits of the universe. This language of fire is a record of the menacing total atomic destruction."
World & I Magazine
""[Carter] has transformed this ancient art by combining modern technology with the use of legendary Venetian glass to create a blend of materials and forms that span the ages. His completed mosaics are not translations of paintings in stone, but are original works of art... [He] is a master of... composition and foresight. Carter presents his personal vision of a universe shaped by space exploration and future technology. Like artists of the past, he speaks to the soul of man. He conveys his belief that man inhabits a fragile planet. - " The World & I. October 1987. Dr. Jennifer Gibson. Ph.D. (Currently Director of the Center for Fine Arts at the General Services Administration. Washington, D.C.)
New York Arts Review
“[Carter’s] experimental multimedia mosaics and ceramic sculptural pieces express radical individualism and reflect his purpose “to evoke higher levels of perception and intellectual and spiritual involvement in the participant-observer.”
ECHO OF THE PLANET. Moscow. -Igor Ignatiev, Editor-in-Chief. TASS. Moscow.
Above. Carter’s Cascade in The Vista International Hotel. Echo Planet Magazine: “20th Century Esthetics.”
John Topping, President. Climate Institute. Washington, D.C.
"American artist Jerry Carter, whose works, including Failed Atmosphere, have explored the possibility that abrupt climate change could wreak havoc on humanity over the past two decades. Carter, considered by many to be the world's foremost climate artist, won the Lorenzo de Medici Award at the 2003 Florence Contemporary Art Biannual.
“Second Genesis,” installed in the Peace Park of the Italian city of Ravenna, reflects humanity’s obligation to preserve life on Earth that winds through the void of the Universe. “I hope,” says the artist, “that my creations will help humanity recognize the need for international cooperation and understanding to find solutions to social and ecological problems, most of which are created by our own hands.”
Daniel Y. Gezari, Ph.D., astrophysicist. NASA. came from the Goddard Space Science Center to Peace Park in Ravenna to pay NASA tribute to Jerry Carter. "...the ideas behind his work challenge human hesitation to acknowledge the daunting prospect of our place in space. His art is an interpretive link between fundamental new scientific information about our place in space and public sensibilities."
Daniel Y. Gezari, Ph.D, Astrophysicist. NASA.
Ambio Magazine. Royal Swedish Academy of Science.
Englea Wiman, Department of Classics. Associate, Department of Environmental and Energy Systems Analysis. Lund University, Sweden. "Since we are indeed parts of Nature, a true early warning system, enabling sustainable environmental futures and not questioning humanistic principles, could perhaps be found when we listen inside ourselves, in much the same way that Socrates constantly listened to his inner voice, his diamonion. Perhaps this is where a new dialogue can begin [referring to Jerry Carter's Second Genesis mosaic].
“Expecting the Unexpected: Some Ancient Roots to Current Perceptions of Nature.”
Cover: Chemical and Engineering News. Global Warming Issue. 1992.
Cover: World Resource Institute Annual Report. 1987. Washington, D.C.
Making Second Genesis for the Ravenna Park of Peace
Carter designed Second Genesis in Washington, D.C. and built it in Ravenna. Jerry Carter created the Second Genesis stele relief in clay and cast it in plaster as a model for the 14-ton curved concrete wall for the monumental mosaic in Ravenna's Peace Park. Carter and his assistants worked on the elevated outdoor construction platform for eight months during the scorching heat of Ravenna's summer and the cold of its winter, Carter and his assistants enduring illness as they worked. During the eight months of construction, the public gathered almost daily around Carter's scaffolding to talk with him as he created the image of our living planet. From his perch on the scaffolding, he gave television and radio interviews and led impromptu discussions about the meaning of his creation. Carter learned more about the meaning of his work as he listened to students at the Art Academy, as well as public school classes, businessmen, civil servants, diplomats, and scientists.
Carter creating painting of Second Genesis.. Silver Spring, Maryland. USA.
Gianfranco Bustacchini, Manager of Il Grupo Mosaicisti da Ravenna was patient while Carter Selected the Mr. Doná’s smalti.
Selecting mosaic glass palate for Second Genesis at The Doná Brothers in Murano, Italy.
Carter created a model of the stele to be made on which the Second Genesis mosaic would be installed in Ravenna’s Peace Park.
Carter working at the face of his concrete stele in Ravenna’s Peace Park under construction.
Scale drawings of the cast concrete relief hat was cast in the peace park.
Carter was delighted with the expert assistance of Professor Isotta Roncuzzi Fiorentini, President of the AIMC, Lorena del Vecchio, one of the most talented mosaicists of the Gruppo Mosaicisti di Ravenna, Sergio Cicognani, painter and master mosaicist, and others.
A moment to unite people in peace to save life on Earth.
Because of their commitment to international peace represented by the construction of the Ravenna Peace Park, the governors of Kansas and Maryland, in recognition of the positive initiative of Carter and Ravenna, issued proclamations to Mayor Giordano Angeline and Mayor Mauro Dragone.
A time for celebration and recognition
President of Emilia Romagna, Lanfranco Turcchi receives Kansas Governor’s Proclamation from Jerry W Carter. Isotta Roncuzzi Fiorentini, President of the AIMC right.
Jerry W Carter translates President of Emilia Romagna, Lanfranco Turcchi’s letter to John Carlin, Governor of Kansas. Topeka, KS.
Maryland State Deputy Governor Miki Steinberg presents Artist Jerry W Carter with the governor’s proclamations. Seen in photo: Ann O’Brian, gallerist. Dr. Jennifer Gibson, Art Historian, Pierro Bozzetti, Italian Embassy Cultural Attaché, Deputy Governor Steinberg, Jerry Carter, Tarja Carter, and Dr. Stephen Leatherman, Sea Level Rise Scientist. State House Annapolis, MD.
Mayor Giordano Angelini receives Maryland Governor’s proclamation from Parco della Pace Artist Jerry W Carter.
Inauguration of Ravenna Peace Park
Dedication ceremony of the Ravenna Peace Park in 1988 . American artist speaks in front of la Secunda Genesi, American Peace Monument dedicated to GAIA.
Carter says, "I am grateful to the citizens of Ravenna. They have given me reasons to dig deep within myself to find the most important affirmation of my life. That affirmation in Second Genesis is based on this artist's understanding of scientifically proven facts expressed. Scientific facts are a component of the mystery in Carter's monumental presentation of his definition of where we live in the universe. The peace monument in Second Genesis shows his sense that the atmosphere and all living things on the planet constitute a single living entity enveloping the thin crust of this molten planet we call Earth. "I hope that the monumental image of Earth in space depicted in Second Genesis will motivate humans to decide to live in a way that is compatible with the life system on which they, and all life, depend every second of our lives." "The alternative to living in harmony with Nature is for humans to continue to poison the life system of the planet, with our species' self-centeredness and uncontrollable greed and power. The trajectory for massive extinctions of all life is clear." - Carter's words at the dedication of Ravenna Peace Park in 1988. *Carter's words were translated by Titular Archbishop of Canosa, Celistino Migliore, Vatican nuncio in Washington, D.C.
Mayor Mauro Dragone receives Maryland Governor’s Honorary Citizenship from Jerry W. Carter.
Peace Park Mosaic Artist Claude Rahir and Patrizia Poggi, The Secretary of the Associazone Internazionale Mosaicisti Contemporanei,
President of the AIMC, Isotta Firoentini Roncuzzi receives Honorary State of Marylad citizenship from American Artist, Jerry W Carter.
Claude Rahir, Belgium Mosaic Artist. Harriet Backer Ziolko, Mosaic Artist Norway, Jerry Carter, American Mosaic Artist.
Franz Mally, Edda Mally, Austrian Mosaic Artist, Claude Rahir, Belgium Mosaic Artist. Verdiano Marzi Italian mosaicist, Jerry Carter, American Mosaic Artist.
Gianfranco Busticchini, manager of il Gruppo Mosaicisti di Ravenna, and Isotta Roncuzzi Fiorentini, President of AIMC.
Jerry Carter and Tarja Ahola-Carter met in Ravenna in 1972 and Celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in Ravenna in 1984 at The Hotel Capello. Tarja assisted Jerry in many important ways through out the whole process of design and construction of Second Genesis. The anniversary celebration was hosted by Hotel Capello and the Mosaic artists of the Peace Park, who included; Claude Rahir, Margaret Coupe, Edda Malli, and Hariette Backer, Gianfranco Bustacchini, Isotta Roncuzzi, and Patrizia Poggi.
Dedication in 1988. Seen together: The Russian Peace Monument made by Russian artist Alexandre Khornoukhov, and The American Peace Monument by American artist, Jerry Carter. Far Left is Tarja Ahola-Carter.
Carter and Giuseppe Rossi, Vice Sindaco di Cultura discuss The Ravenna Peace Park On Italian Television in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Stephen Leatherman, Ph.D., the University of Maryland’s chief sea-level expert, far left. He was invited to the 1988 opening of Peace Park, while consulting with planners from the City of Ravenna and Patrizia Poggi, secretary of the International Association of Contemporary Mosaicists. Artist Carter, far right Ravenna Peace Park, 1988. *Carter’s words were translated by Titular Archbishop of Canosa, Celistino Migliore, Vatican nuncio in Washington, D.C..
Carter has created more than one mosaic about the living planet and peaceful human interaction. Carter urged Russia to participate in the Peace Park. When Alexandre Khornoukhov arrived from Moscow with his mosaic, Carter was delighted and set to work to build good relations with the Russians. For his efforts, the Moscow Artists Association invited Carter to Moscow to exhibit with Alexandre Khornoukhov in 1990.
American artist Jerry Crter and Russian artist Alexandre Khornoukhov at the Ravenna Peace Park. 1988