be different art

"I like to show our ancestors' traditions through my art, so that our children realize how different is their life compared to my generation, and older," confides Filiberto Chali. Painting with oils, he tells the story of how a young woman is stolen from her parents' home by her boyfriend and his friends. The only witness to the event is a man with a couple of bottles, perhaps not the most reliable of witnesses.

Kidnapping brides used to be a fairly common practice in San Juan Comalapa, Chali's hometown. The reason for taking her could be anything, from her being underage, her parents not allowing the union, or her not wanting to marry the groom. By kidnapping her, the parents were ultimately obliged to allow their union lest she be deemed unchaste by everyone else. Today the custom continues, but only when there is consent, and then the festivities ensue.

Titled "Se Roban a la Muchacha" in Spanish.

"Peace can be realized by mutual tolerance and love for one another. This can start from the smallest circle, namely the family. Instill a sense of love and peace from an early age so that in the future there will be mutual respect," artist Ida Bagus Lawa Bargawa confides.

"Peace is always beautiful, always starts with a smile, and any problem can be discussed. Differences are natural and, as long as they don't hurt each other, peace can still be realized. Peace is closely related to mutual tolerance, listening, and understanding, and reducing unnecessary debate is an important key.

"Keep peace and maintain it, because to get it requires a great sacrifice. Peace cannot be maintained by violence, it can only be achieved by understanding peace within ourselves and peace in the world. Peace is a daily, weekly, and monthly process of gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, and quietly building new structures.

"My hope for world peace is that what is an aspiration for the progress of a country will be reflected in the harmonious relations of all countries in this world. For this reason, all countries must be able to help each other stabilize the world's economy. Welfare within a country will have a good impact on the path of world peace."

To illustrate these thoughts and dreams, the artisan brings us a captivating composition made with traditional batik techniques. Crafted in Bali, it is a tribute to peace and unity, depicting joined hands surrounding the world and upholding the peace symbol. Every element adds a message of friendship, love and cooperation.

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.”