be different art

Quetzalcoatl, the "feathered serpent" was a revered deity in Mesoamerican myth and legend. Mariana Llanes depicts him as a sterling silver dragon that take its own tail in his mouth. "When one becomes many, they awaken the dragon, and duality emerges — light and darkness, what is mine, yours and belonging to others," ths artist says. "Our differences, survival and the struggles for power.

"By biting its tail, the dragon places all its energy toward understanding who we are and why we're here. It speaks of overcoming one's own ego, of humility.

"For me, the open hands are a beautiful representation of human collaboration. They symbolize friendship, honesty, respect, solidarity and willingness.

"Black crosses flank the hands along with garnet droplets that represent the death and suffering caused by wars. This is in honor of everyone who has died because of war. And it's a prayer that their lives and their blood be seeds that germinate in green fields of conscience, learning, and respect for life and for our differences.

"The spirals speak of life's cyclical nature and of resilience. Of our capacity to learn and change our reality, converting painful experiences into strength and wisdom.

"The feather pendants are symbols of the birds that collect our prayers around the world — for peace, for justice, for equality and the rights of everyone. They carry our voices in their song and they carry our prayers for peace."

The pendant is worn on a beaded gemstone strand of amethyst, iolite, citrine, peridot, carnelian and garnet.

Alejandro Camacho depicts a a tender couple sharing a kiss, as symbolic of world peace. In this work of art, sailboats ply distant waters and a cool breeze caresses the couple's hair. Every detail is achieved with a traditional linoleum block print technique.

"Peace is a concrete concept in the interaction between both individuals and societies," the artist says. "In today's world, it seems utopian," the Mexican artist says. "We will need to work to achieve it, and then it must be taught and also applied to generate social agreements of coexistence based on empathy and respect.

“For me the love of this couple symbolizes the concept of world peace," the artist continues. "When we are in love we see the world in a different way, with a positive passivity and tranquility. This love is the basis of universal love – from individuals, to villages, to nations. The union that exists between a couple who love truly, well, only in this way can we all unite as one to bring about world peace.

"Humans must experience being in love to truly understand world peace. Peace implies empathy, admiration, and the respect to live in harmony with each other. By creating internal peace we can then replicate that feeling in society. The love between people generates harmony, understanding, well being, and respect. And these each in turn generate peace. To be in love is to live in peace.”