Glass
artist Donna Eichholz, has recently designed a genocide-inspired
piece of commemorative jewelry for use by the new film
SCREAMERS and its partner, the Save Darfur Coalition. Click
here for full Artist Statement on this piece.
SCREAMERS is an internationally produced documentary
that covers the history of modern-day genocide and genocide
denial, beginning with the Armenian Genocide in 1915, and
how the world's inaction lead to other massacres. Eichholz’s
unique design for the SCREAMERS glass jewelry
is a symbol of an eternal spiral, which serves as a remembrance
of the past and hope for the future.
"The Design of the commemorative pendent is a powerful
reminder of the flames that still burn from past genocides
and yet how important it is to respond the events of a current
genocide in Darfur,” said Ben Prochazka, the Campaign
Manager for The Save Darfur Coalition. “We hope this will
be an important reminder: Let us not morn a genocide when
we can stop one." The Save Darfur Coalition is an
alliance of over 175 faith-based, advocacy and humanitarian
organizations whose mission is to raise public awareness about
the ongoing genocide in Darfur and to mobilize a unified response
to the atrocities that threaten the lives of more than two
million people in the Darfur region. To learn more, please
visit
http://www.SaveDarfur.org.
"Donna Eichholz's SCREAMERS
pendant is a beautiful embodiment of survival from the
tragedy of genocide,” said Elizabeth Chouldjian,
the Communications Director of the Armenian National Committee
of America, the largest and most influential Armenian American
grassroots political organization in the U.S. “The past
century has seen horrible crimes against inhumanity -- some
which have been properly acknowledged with restitution ongoing
and others where the unrepentant perpetrators of genocide
remain unpunished. In each case, however, the survivors emerged
as the shining beacons of truth and justice -leading humanity
in its collective call ‘never again’. This pendant speaks
to that commitment to survival and the international struggle
to ensure that such injustices -- as we see today in Darfur
-- are stopped and that the cycle of genocide is ended once
and for all. "
Said Eichholz: “The spiral symbolizes power and
independent movement. This commemorative piece focuses on
movement of awareness and action, with the spiral flowing
into a fire. Flames range on in memory of the many that have
perished. As glass never deteriorates, this film burns on
eternally - Lest We Never Forget! I am grateful
for the honor to create this symbolic art for SCREAMERS
and its noble cause.”
Eichholz has studied with some of the greatest Master
glassblowers and glass artists around the world, expanding
her technique and repertoire to include work with “glass blowing”
and “lamp working,” which is melting glass by use of a torch
that is fueled by gas and oxygen. Her work has been seen in
more than 20 countries with exhibits, galleries and festivals
showcasing her glass creations.
Though a Massachusetts native who currently resides in England,
she is perhaps best known in South Africa, where her work
has merited numerous substantial shows and media coverage.
Recently, while serving as resident artist in a gallery in
Cape Town, a photographer from The Cape Times stopped in for
a visit, which led to an interview and photo shoot with the
paper. The headline of this featured front page story was
tellingly astute: “Glass Art Sends Donna Around the World.”
Eichholz was commissioned by the Royal Family of Saudi
Arabia, who host numerous gala parties each year. For the
Enchanted Forest celebration in Africa, she was asked to create
glass pieces that represented the theme of the party. Each
of the guests of the Prince received a glass commemorative.
Among other accomplishments, she is particularly proud to
have appeared at the hugely popular Glastonbury Music Festival
in Britain to create magnificent works of glass art.
The SCREAMERS commission marks another plateau’s
in this remarkable artist’s career.
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