“It is a humbling honor to host The Oracle, and to have his first experience of the United States be this exhibit,” said Mia Hanak, Executive Director for the Natural World Museum. “From the ‘rooftop’ of the world in the Himalayan mountain range he has seen the snow pack diminishing. The Oracle shared his essential message about the importance of understanding our local and global impacts, and conscious choices we make in our everyday behaviors and habits. NWM’s exhibit directly reflects the environmental values he is inspiring us to embrace, as they are critical for the well being of the present and future generations.”
As a cabinet-level official of the Tibet Government in exile, The Oracle’s knowledge is usually reserved for advising the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government. This tour will also be part of his effort to preserve the lineage of the Nechung Kuten and help fulfill a prophecy that was handed down hundreds of years ago to develop a college of Monasteries known as the Dreyang. After San Francisco, the tour will continue on to Portland, Los Angeles, Aspen, Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago, Louisville, Washington, DC, New York City and Miami. The Oracle will return to San Francisco for two final appearances in the City on August 8.
“With the blessings of H.H. the Dalai Lama, this earth conscious team has assembled to launch this extraordinary tour of the Oracle of Tibet. It is this magnitude of consciousness from both industry and non-profit working hand in hand that reminds us that time is of the essence; and that it is a time for change” said Jacqueline Miller of Partnerships for Change.
The idea for “Making the Choice” came about in June 2005 when San Francisco hosted World Environment Day: the first time a North American city had been so chosen. It was during that event that San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom asked NWM to design an exhibit that would help connect the daily actions of San Franciscans with the impact their choices have on the environment worldwide.
The exhibition features seven environmental topics: Waste Reduction, Water, Environmental Health, Transportation, Urban Design, Urban Nature, and Energy. The show features painting, sculpture, photography, video, and installation artwork from local and international artists including: Christopher Lamarca, Chris Jordan, Rob Larson, Edward Burtynsky, Free Soil--Amy Franceschini, Lucy Orta, Fred Tomaselli, Harri Kallio, Era and Don Farnsworth, Sven Pahlsson, Free Range Graphics, Leslie Shows, Robert Bateman, Judith Selby Lang, Alison Moritsugu, Allora & Calzadilla, Icleandic Love Corp, Agnes Denes, Giles Mingasson, and Fei Yang.
“Together, the words and images comprise a more complete picture” states NWM’s Exhibit Curator, Randy Rosenberg “the scientist's facts in partnership with the artist's vision in a way that tells us -- implicitly and explicitly, intellectually and emotionally -- that we are part of the problem . . . and the solution.”
The San Francisco-based Natural World Museum utilizes the universal language of art as a catalyst to inspire and engage the public in environmental awareness and action. In order to contribute to the sustainability of our world, NWM provides enlightening experiences through innovative site-specific art exhibitions that advance local and global conservation efforts.
This exhibition has been generously sponsored by the Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation, and produced in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services and SF Environment. Philip Stein Teslar, known for tracking time with beautiful designs and promoting the health of the earth with Teslar Technology, has joined Partnerships For Change in this great undertaking of bringing the Oracle of Tibet to the United States.