The Harmony Peace Prize 2024

PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN PURSUIT OF HARMONY: THE ABSENCE OF VIOLENCE

International Peace Doctors (IPD), as pa- trons of the arts, launched the prize first edition last year (2023) from Texas, USA, as part of its Peace Education and Media- tion Programs. As an international NGO for peace, IPD believes that harmony is the true absence of violence.

HARMONIC APPROACH IN CONFLICT

Inspired by the legendary Lorenzo de’ Medici, a renowned patron of the arts and architect of Florentine harmony during the Renaissance, this international prize seeks to foster harmo- ny through creative expression. Medici’s legacy, marked by his support for artists and his cul- tivation of a stable society amidst a turbulent era, serves as a powerful model for our pursuit of a world without violence. As an outstanding diplomat, Lorenzo was a great advocate of harmony and to this day, continues to be praised for neutralising military threats from neighbouring city states, such as Naples and Rome. By implementing a harmonic approach that em- braced diversity and respect, Lorenzo proved how treating adversaries with respect was the key strategy to ensure long-term prosperity for all. Like Lorenzo, IPD believes that conflicts must be resolved harmoniously for the simple reason that a harmonious order fosters harmonious unity, where all members of society can flour- ish without violence or tyrannical aggression.
 

THE RISE OF HARMONY

Following de Medici’s foot steps, IPD contin- ues to recognise the vision of the artists in the pursuit of harmony. The theme of this year’s Harmony Peace Prize is the Rise of Harmony, a concept developed by none other than Michel- angelo, a protegé of Lorenzo de Medici. As a young Florentine, Michelangelo was exposed to de Medici’s vast art collection of sculptures, paintings and, of course, ancient Greek philos- ophy. Lorenzo’s patronage nurtured Michelan- gelo’s intellectual capacity and creative talent. A privileged education at such an early age played a crucial role in shaping Michelangelo’s artis- tic genius. Medici’s protegé was to become, not only a true cannon of the Italian Renaissance, but one of the greatest artists of all time.

Michelangelo established himself as a painter, a sculptor and an architect. His impressive talent was recognised during his own lifetime as the embodiment of artistic perfection. He was the chief architect of the final design of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and sculpted The Pieta, one of the most admired sculptures in the world.

But, perhaps Michelangelo is more common- ly known today for his famous frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. One of the scenes, the Creation of Adam, is an image of profound theological and philosophical depth that captivated the world. This scene holds significant symbolic relevance to the concept of harmony, not only due to itsbalanced and proportionate composition, but be- cause it represents the harmonious connection between humanity and divinity.

Here, Michelangelo extends God’s hand to touch Adam’s hand striving for harmony between the two – a dynamic state that requires continuous effort to bridge the gap between humans and their surroundings.

Yet, a closer look at the scene reveals Michel- angelo’s three more subtle reflections: First, the transfer of a power higher than the potential of human intellect. Second, Adam’s hesitance to receive such power. Third, the gap between both hands suggests a mutual desire to connect and rise in harmony.

Michelangelo’s masterpiece serves as a time- less reminder that true harmony is not a static state but rather a dynamic process. It requires a constant effort to bridge divides and connect with ourselves and our surroundings. This rise of harmony, beautifully captured in “The Crea

tion of Adam,” resonates with the core values of the Harmony Peace Prize, inspiring humanity to create a more harmonic, yet diverse world.

As discussed in The Harmony Peace Prize last year’s edition, the Renaissance man sought to follow the ultimate perfection to solve intellec- tual, artistic, political, and social problems with humanistic ideals. For Michelangelo, as well as his patron Lorenzo de’ Medici, art held the potential to motivate and transform people’s lives in harmony. Their idealism was a corner- stone of the Renaissance, inspiring generations to seek beauty, respect, diversity and prosperi- ty in their world.

This is precisely the goal of the Harmony Peace Prize 2024, to promote harmony making a dif- ference in people’s lives for without harmony, there is no peace and ultimately “rationality turns bitter and leads to chaos, the source of hu- man suffering.” Lorenzo de’ Medici.

Celebrating Creativity and Harmony

The Harmony Peace Prize 2024

The Harmony Peace Prize 2024 brought together artists from around the globe to express their vision of Harmony and capture the essence of three concepts: Diversity, Respect, and Prosperity.

Here, we proudly announce and celebrate the winners who have inspired us with their creativity.

First Prize Winner, US$3,000 ,“The Rebirth of Harmony”by Erwin Montero

"My painting seeks to capture the harmony between humanity and nature, represented through the figure of an Indigenous woman who symbolizes our ancestral connection to the Earth. The predominant red color in the artwork evokes the vital energy of Pacha Mama, our Mother Earth, whose strength and wisdom sustain life. The woman's face reflects this deep connection, showing respect and balance with the natural environment. Through this image, I aim to convey that true harmony arises when we recognize ourselves as part of nature and live in unity with it, as one indivisible whole."

Erwin Montero

Second Prize Winner, US$2,000 ,“Walk towards Harmony” by Juan Gómez Del Viso

"This artwork represents humans leaving Earth in search of a harmonious planet. This new planet is green, the color of harmony, where words and different ways of thinking will come together. Ultimately, this will lead to harmonious coexistence between opposites, lighting a better and fairer world. A path of "interstellar cosmic dust" connects the two planets in the shape of a three. This number is a pattern found in nature and has been reflected in philosophies and beliefs with deep cultural and spiritual meaning. Three is the number of harmony and harmonic expansion."

Juan Gómez Del Viso

Third Prize Winner, US$1,000 ,“The Tree of Life” by Abbas Saberi

"I believe that harmony does not mean that everything should be uniform, identical, monochromatic, and alike. Instead, true harmony is a collection of acceptable contrasts that coexist and tolerate each other in companionship. Explanation of this Artwork: For this artwork, I decided to use a circular frame to symbolize the grandeur of the world we live in. One unique feature of a circle is its lack of angles and corners, representing continuity and infinity. To give depth to the artwork, blue is predominantly used in the main background. The floating island in the sky features a wide variety of colors, yet its cohesion and unity are clearly evident. Two white birds symbolize all living beings, especially humans. A warm nest, filled with love and kindness, is a rightful home for all creatures. In the background of this artwork, I incorporated curved lines in the form of waves, spaced according to the Fibonacci sequence, signifying the order and laws inherent in nature. These lines resemble the staves of musical notes, evoking a melody that embraces the "Tree of Life" within the flow of time. At the heart of it all, the "Tree of Life" is designed in the shape of a musical treble clef, bringing together a harmonious and delightful composition."

Abbas Saberi

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