A Journey of Art and Soul for the Earth

by Rama the Elephant, Calley O'Neill, and Jeb Barsh

RAMA: AMBASSADOR FOR THE ENDANGERED ONES

Speaking Passionately on Behalf of Those who Cannot Speak

THE RAMA EXHIBITION FLOOR PLAN

The Rama Exhibition floor plan (10,000 sq. ft.) will be customized for each museum or exhibition space.  Smaller versions are envisioned for smaller venues.  The ideal venue may be an independent, nomadic, green museum set forth with a quiet, sacred atmosphere with dramatically subdued lighting, or a permanent home from which to travel.

The main chambers, called The Valley of The Endangered Ones are to be laid out as a 'cathedral of life', encompassing 36 side chapels dedicated to the appreciation of an individual species, representing all of its kin.  The paintings are intended to focus positive attention and understanding of their essential place within the wheel of life.   Each of the 36 species paintings (approximately 7-feet by-5-feet) will be set back in an alcove with pairs of small handcrafted lanterns and fabric or elephant paper side panels angled toward the painting. The painting alcoves are reminiscent of small roadside chapels dedicated to a special purpose. 

Throughout time, many diverse cultures and religions, from Ancient Greece (tama or tamata) throughout Europe to the United States and South America, have practiced this tradition, offering travelers a touch of candlelight and quiet contemplation.   In Central America, visual prayers or votive offerings (retablos) are made in a wide variety of forms and materials. Milagro (miracles) are placed in sanctuaries to petition saints for help, or offer gratitude for help given.  In Poland, wayside shrines (kapliczki) often resemble tiny houses.

Solo Gallery

Grotto of Hope

The Endangered Ones

Action Room

Floor Plan

Wheels

The Wildlife Prayer Wheels stand in between the painting alcoves in front of native trees in baskets.    Along with the sounds of the wheels spinning, special lighting and stories of nature’s heroes, quiet, layered sounds of nature attune the mind to the fragility and preciousness of life.

Arising out of meditation and practical necessity, the structural format of the paintings was inspired by traditional Tibetan thanka paintings.  Looking at the Eight Guardians thanka painting and antique Greek Church lantern hanging in the corner of her room, Calley conceptualized the thanka, lantern and corner alcoves for the paintings.  Beautiful, symbolic and ultimately mobile, the perfect design solution was revealed in the corner of her own room! 

Used as traveling teaching and meditation tools for awakening, Tibetan thankas are sacred, symbolic scroll paintings that are visually and mentally stimulating.  Akin to both thankas of the East, and the complex organization and borders of more western manuscript illuminations, the paintings seek to emanate the energy of each animal and invoke protection for them and their kin.  The Earth is depicted in every painting.  Corresponding native plant communities inspire the finely painted borders, as do patterns from indigenous peoples associated with each animal’s region.