Temple of Light -- In the News
Today was a big day on the understand-mass-murderers-and-honor-the-victims front.
The report from an independent panel that analyzed the Capitol Hill shootings was released and it is very well done but incredible chilling. The details make my stomach churn. A friend of a friend (someone I've never met but heard about in the aftermath) was apparently "shot" twice, point blank, but the gun didn't fire. I can't imagine carrying that memory in my head.
On a far more positive note, the Seattle P-I ran a terrific article with a giant, front page, above-the-fold picture on the Temple project (yay Chris and Amani!). And we dropped the press release (text below).
We still need volunteers and cash so perhaps this spurt of publicity will drum some up.
Temporary Art Installation Intended as Public Space for All Who Have Lost
July 18, 2006
The Temple of Light, a temporary art installation memorializing the
victims of the March 2006 Capitol Hill shooting, will be dedicated at
Seattle Center on July 30th as a focal point for community healing and
reflection.
On March 25th 2006, a gathering at a blue house on Capitol Hill was
suddenly and tragically interrupted when a guest inexplicably shot to
death six people and traumatized dozens more before taking his own
life.
This tragedy cut across the diverse Seattle arts and music community,
immediately producing volunteer efforts to support the survivors and
the victims' families and bring the community together through art.
The Temple of Light is the result of several months of volunteer
effort to create a public, healing space for to grieve, reflect,
connect with others and celebrate life. The seven-sided Temple of
Light will be installed on Seattle Center's Fisher Pavilion rooftop on
July 27th and will stand until August 18th.
All are invited to visit the Temple and leave messages or memorabilia
related to any personal loss they may have suffered.
The entire community is also invited to join in an opening ceremony on
July 30th. The ceremony will begin with a procession from Capitol
Hill, the location of the March shootings, to Seattle Center where a
dedication ceremony will take place. Those wishing to join the
procession should meet at Miller Community Center lawn any time after
2:00 PM, in preparation for a 3:30 PM departure (wear good shoes for a
2+ mile walk).
The design, construction and adornment of the Temple of Light results
from the volunteer efforts of dozens of community members and has been
funded entirely through small donations. The Shunpike has generously
provided sponsorship of this arts project so that donations are tax
deductible. Seattle Center has generously extended their sponsorship
as host of the Temple, providing a stunning, centrally-located home
for this art.
On August 18th, 2006 the Temple of Light will be dismantled and
components of the Temple will be given as gifts to the victims'
families. The primary structure will then be transported to the
Burning Man Festival in Nevada where it will be erected as a gift from
Seattle to Black Rock City, the temporary city of 30,000 people that
forms annualty for this arts festival. On September 3rd, 2006 the
Temple of Light will disappear in a cathartic, ceremonial burn.
Visit www.seattlememorialtemple.org to donate and learn more about this project.
To learn about volunteer opportunities volunteer@seattlememorialtempl
Press Contact
Amani Loutfy
press@seattlememorialtemple
206.384.5287
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