LETTER

A message for our times 

As a teenager I went with my older brother and his friends to the hills to pick mushrooms. After filling our sacks, it was time to go to the place where we left our bicycles. My brother and his friends insisted on one way, and I, trusting my observations and training in orientation, split.

I soon found our bicycles -- and waited. Finally I lit a fire (smoke signal) and called in all directions. They followed the smoke and “found” me and the bikes, as older boys do.

I mention this story, obviously, because even humanity can get lost at times. 

The common link is that nobody listened to my words at that time (fifty years ago), and nobody listens to me still. As an artist, a sculptor, my work was unrecognized (in Canada), even seen as a hoax by some. Artists do have messages worth paying attention to ...  daylight is shortening on us, on humanity -- hence my smoke signal.

Isn’t it time to put our differences and squabbles for power aside? Shouldn’t the best of the world sit and discuss all nations’ spectrum of ideologies. This is no longer a suggestion, but a necessity.  Let us complete the triangle of wisdom: Presidents Trump, Putin and Xi (this specific three, each with accomplishments unprecedented). Just do it.

This is for our times, and the next.  That would complete my message in my Multiple/Multilateral Sculptures (three ideologies in one). There is thought and understanding to come out of it.  It is our choice.

Rasto Hlavina 

Pontiac