Ten Thousand Ripples

Ten Thousand Ripples is a multi-platform public art project that launched in fall 2012. The project Ten Thousand Ripples is a reminder of that need.

A powerful and profound need exists within each of us to know that peace is possible in spite of the violence that surrounds us on so many different fronts. It invokes the image of an emerging Buddha sculpture as a universal icon of peace inviting people to think about how they can find peace in their own lives and their communities. Ten Thousand Ripples (TTR) is a collaborative public art, civic

engagement and peace project. It uses art as a catalyst to foster dialogue about peace and non-violence and create innovative solutions to address contemporary social issues. Through TTR, artists, neighborhood leaders, and residents are at the heart of community-driven planning and public involvement efforts. At the center of TTR are 100 fiberglass and resin Buddha sculptures designed by Indira Johnson and installed in sites in 10 Chicago area neighborhoods. The locations are chosen by stakeholders in each community who are also planning and implementing related artistic programming. TTR is a partnership between artist Indira Johnson and Changing Worlds, the lead organization in a consortium of local community, social service, educational and cultural organizations. Guided by a city-wide advisory council, TTR uses an innovative approach that engages entire communities and brings together people from various sectors in pursuit of transformational, sustainable change.TTR is rooted in the beliefs that art is for the people, that community art should contribute to daily life, and that creating safe forums for residents to talk creates a habit of dialogue and a foundation for trust and mutual understanding. When these elements are in place, communities come together and quality of life is raised. TTR aims to leverage public art as a springboard to build responses and solutions to vital social concerns and to improve neighborhoods. Each community brings its distinctive approach to TTR. However, the common threads include neighborhood based dialogues sessions, artistic programming, the installation of public art and arts infused community development plans. In spring 2013, TTR will culminate in an exhibition at the Loyola University Museum of Art in downtown Chicago that will include some of the Buddha sculpture sculptures and document the various artistic responses from all 10 communities. Through TTR, each community will create written and visual documentation of its planning process, implementation and outcomes, as well as a community-designed plan for continued integration of the arts into its neighborhood development process going forward. We would love for you to be part of our conversation.

01/28/2021

The emerging Buddhas deep in snow.

01/26/2021

Ten Thousand Ripples 🌊

08/25/2019

Last week a number of people including Mackenzie Madison (see picture below) contacted me, concerned about a tree that had come down in the middle of the emerging Buddhas. Fortunately none of the sculptures were hurt. Thanks to the Chicago Park District for taking care of the tree and to Mike Dimitroff who sent me the 2nd picture with the emerging Buddhas as serene as ever!

04/22/2019

Happy Earth Day! This card is from a line of greeting cards that celebrate the voices of people who are committed to taking care of the earth. Available through Changing Worlds.

02/01/2019

Ten Thousand Ripples in the snow! Looking forward to the upcoming thaw!

12/31/2018

Happy New Year!
May we all find our own steps towards peace and justice in our neighborhoods and the world.
This card is from a line of greeting cards that celebrate the voices of people who are committed to working for peace. Available through Changing Worlds.

09/17/2018

Celebrate International Peace Day.
Join Changing Worlds and Indira Freitas Johnson at the Chicago Cultural Center on Friday 9/21 from 12-2pm and Saturday 9/22 from 1-3pm to create a Rangoli drawing that embodies wishes for the well being of our community and demonstrates our collective hopes for a peaceful world.

03/08/2018

Today on International Woman's Day lets celebrate past acheivements of women and commit to continuing their work, answering the new calls to action: ensuring inclusive and quality education for all and achieving gender equality and empowerment for all women and girls.
This image is from a line of greeting cards that celebrate the voices of people who are committed to working for peace. Available through Changing Worlds.

02/08/2018

It was more than 62 years ago that Rosa Louise McCauley Parks refused to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Ala., to a white man, becoming an iconic symbol in the Civil Rights Movement.
This image is from a line of greeting cards celebrating the heroes on our lives. Available from Changing Worlds.