PEACE CARAVAN PROJECT
185 E 85th St #19 E New York, NY 10028
(1)212.722.7039 |info@peacecaravan.com
(Checks to be made out to New York Foundation for the Arts, Peace Caravan Project)
www.peacecaravan.com
BACKGROUND:
The Silk Road was a series of intersecting caravan trails from southwest
China to the Mediterranean, and ultimately arriving in Rome. It was more
than a road where merchants exchanged goods, but was a formative and
transformative rite of passage of religious and cultural heritages within the
Diaspora.
The Peace Caravan Project takes the viewer from Jerusalem to China along
the Silk Road, documenting the places of historical and religious significance
for educational presentations. The project’s goal addresses the global need
for openness and cultural exchange and to help gain the mutual respect and
cooperation necessary for World Peace. By documenting people in their
traditional ways of life, the project reminds us that in our differences we
share similar love, hopes and dreams. Through the educational presentations
led by Mossman, The Peace Caravan endeavors to inform and inspire others
through cultural understanding, tolerance and acceptance. Mossman sets an
example to the people that she meets on the road and through her lectures to
her audiences at home that we shouldn’t have fear for one another- her
motto is: “Trust is the currency of the solo traveler.”
Many International Nonprofits Partners are involved with Education,
Pluralism and Peaceful Tourism, including: The Sugarbaker Foundation
(Missouri) International Institute for Peaceful Tourism (Vermont), The
Coalition for OneVoice (New York), Josephine Hendriks Project ( New
York) Skal International (Spain), United Nations Yak (New York), The
Region Initiative (TRI) (Pakistan), Roza Otunbayeva Initiative (Krygytz
Republic). In addition, the Peace Caravan liaisons with women’s groups,
multicultural, humanitarian, and religious organizations and presented
through educational institutions.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
Violence and modernization in the Silk Road regions threaten the indigenous
way of life. Cultures are disappearing as people become more homogeneous
in the 21st century. It is important to preserve what makes each unique. The
project has proven, by educating through photography, film, and first hand
accounts from the regions, readers find a new appreciation for the religious
and cultural heritages of these nations and a new way to peace reveals itself.
Countries: The Silk Road Countries that Mossman has visited and lectured
on include –Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Afghanistan, India, China, and
Italy. Upcoming countries include Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Iraq,
Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.
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PROJECT SUMMARY continues:
Elements: The project includes lectures, exhibitions, photography books,
Photo Workshops, and films (see attached list for complete details). Recent
lectures include: Royal Ontario Museum, University of West Virginia, Minot
University, University of Michigan, Hilbert College, The University of West
Virginia and the U of San Antonio.
EXHIBITIONS:
Memorial Union Gallery in Fargo, ND; Bismarck, ND; University of West
Virginia; Manhattan, NY; Palm Desert, CA; Santa Barbara CA; Moscow;
Washington, DC; United Nations, New York; Berlin; Los Angeles, CA;
Providence, RI; and Beijing. In addition, 3 photography books have been
published and a 17-minute documentary entitled: The Peace Caravan
Project- Journey along the Silk Road, Xinjiang China.
FOUNDER:
Marla Mossman began the Peace Caravan Project in 1996. She has made six
journeys to document the Silk Road region. Mossman has spent her life
extensively documenting the human condition. Born in Detroit, Michigan, and
raised and educated in Canada, she currently resides in New York. Mossman
earned a bachelors degree at the University of Western Ontario, a lower
division diploma at Brooks Institute of Photography, and a diploma at
Sotheby’s Short Course in Decorative Arts. She founded two other Arts
collectives: MMARTS and Art Soup, both of which represented artists
showing work outside of the traditional gallery spaces.
FINANCIALS:
We seek a donation of $7,000 that will be applied to the production costs for
the educational outreach exhibitions, lectures and documentary films for the
upcoming journey through the Central Asia Silk Road region. Support has
been received from the New York Foundation for the Arts, International
Institute for Peaceful Tourism and The Region Initiative to name a few.
BOARD OF ADVISORS ( see attached list for complete details ):
The Peace Caravan’s seven member Advisory Board includes: Legal Advisor;
Educational Advisor; Executive Director and Project Founder; Regional
Advisors include: Turkey and Central Asia; Israel and the Middle East;
Afghanistan; International Art Advisor.
WHY THIS PROJECT MATTERS:
Today precarious political situations exist in many of the Silk Road nations—
Central Asia, Afghanistan, the Middle East, Pakistan and India are all involved
in local wars that are on the brink of escalation. Secular prejudice is the root
cause, and if allowed to flourish will grow into hate, violence, and ultimately
war. By documenting these areas for education, Mossman features images of
people she meets along the way who are out of the mainstream of history.
She focuses on documenting the daily lives of indigenous cultures rather than
documenting violence giving voice to those who are most marginalized.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Awards, Grants and Recognitions
BEST Documentary Short 2014 - New York/Los Angeles Film Festival 2014
KOWAMERA: Plant Pray Partner for Peace – Director Marla Mossman
Making a Difference Award – Honorable Mention Certificate COMMFFEST, Toront Canada 2014
KOWAMERA: Plant Pray Partner for Peace – Director Marla Mossman
Finalist Documentary Film Fati Un Film, - Rome. Italy, 2013
PEACE CARAVAN: Xinjiang Province, China – Director Marla Mossman
Fiscal Sponsorship Grant - New York Foundation for the Arts 2006 – New York, NY 2007
Peace Caravan Project – Founder/Director Marla Mossman
Honorable Mention: Portraits Lucy Awards 2006 – New York, NY 2007
Three School Girls Jark Afghanistan – Photographer Marla Mossman
Film Festival Screenings:
KOWAMERA: Plant Pray Partner for Peace 15.25 min documentary – COMMFEST, Toronto, Canada, 2014
KOWAMERA: Plant Pray Partner for Peace 15.25 min documentary – Global Peace Film Festival, Orlando, Fl 2014
KOWAMERA: Plant Pray Partner for Peace 15.25 min documentary – Producers Club, New York, NY, 2014
KOWAMERA: Plant Pray Partner for Peace 15.25 min documentary – Tribeca Cinemas, New York, NY, 2014
PEACE CARAVAN: Xinjiang Province, China - documentary, 17'5'' - Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome. Italy, 2013
PEACE CARAVAN: Xinjiang Province, China – documentary – Culture UNPLUGGED Humanity Explored Festival, 2013
PEACE CARAVAN: Xinjiang Province, China – documentary 17'5'' - Hells Kitchen Arts Festival, Manhattan, NY, 2013
Peace Caravan Lecture and Multimedia Presentations:
“Peace Caravan Journey Along the Silk Road” Tamerin Culture Trips – Montreal, Canada – June , 2014
“Cultures Under Siege – Panel Marla Mossman and Janet Goldner” – ArtTable – New York – March , 2014
“One Women’s Courageous Journey Along the Silk Road” – Princeton Club – New York – March , 2014
“Women in Afghanistan” - Royal Ontario Museum – Toronto, Canada - June 2012
“Peace Caravan Project; Art as Philanthropy” - University of West Virginia - Honors Lecture Series - July, 2011
“A Women’s solo Journey Along the Silk Road” - Minot University - Women’s History Month Lecture - March 2, 2011
“Cultures Under Siege” University of Michigan - Martin Luther King Keynote - January 20, 2011
“Peace Caravan Journey Along the Silk Road” - Hilbert College - March, 2010
“Trust is the Currency of the Solo Traveler” - University of West Virginia - Festival of Ideas - March 2010
“ One Women’s Journey” - U of San Antonio - Women’s History Month Lecture - March, 2010
“ Architecture of the Silk Road under Siege” - Ryerson University - Department of Architecture - September 2009
“Afghanistan, a Story of Inspiration” CW Post Long Island University - Honors Lecture Program - April 2009
“Pluralism in Religions along the Silk Road” - Coalition for One Voice - September 2008
“Voice of Women in Afghanistan” - Seaton Hall Law School - International Law Honors Students - September 2006
Selected Project Publications:
This Is New York: Marla Mossman, on Documenting Disappearing Cultures By Amelia Pang, Epoch Times | August 23, 2014
Artist Highlights: Peace Caravan Project By Nia Kiesowis | August 18, 2014
Selected Project Exhibitions:
Memorial Union Gallery, Fargo, ND; U of Mary, Bismarck, ND; Blaney House Gallery, University of West Virginia, WV; BID Gallery 8, Manhattan, NY; Two Feathers Gallery, Palm Desert, CA; Karpeles Museum, Santa Barbara, CA; The Arts Center,
Moscow, Russia; Rhonda Schalling Gallery, Manhattan, NY; Russian Cultural Center, Washington, DC; UNRCC, United Nations,
New York; Inside/Outside Gallery, Berlin, Germany; Area, Los Angeles, CA; Atrium Gallery, Providence, RI; Discovery
Museum, Bridgeport, CT; Red Gate Gallery Residency, Beijing, China.
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Photo Workshops ON LOCATION, New York:
Volunteer Photography Workshop Series with the Josephine Hendricks Project:
International High School. Washington Irving High School – children with special needs 2012 -2013
Footsteps Organization – Secular Community Center for Hassidic Youth, Manhattan New York 2013
Peace Caravan Board of Advisors:
Legal Advisor - Myra D. Mossman Esq. JD., LL.B
Educational Advisor - Dr. Joan Digby - Director of Honors Program - Long Island University
Art Advisor – Barbara Tamerin – Tamerin Fine Art
Executive Director and Project Founder - Marla Mossman
Regional Advisors:
Turkey and Central Asia - Kemel Ulusoy - Int. Trade and Development - Ullusoy International
Israel and the Middle East - Aubrey Burnstein - Software Engineer
Afghanistan- Qais Azimy – Television News Producer - Al Jazzera
International Art Advisor - Patricia Frischer - Art Consultant
Art Advisor – Barbara Tamrin
Central Asia - Agha Iqrar Haroon - Chief Editor Dispatch News Desk and President The Region Initiative
Krygytz Republic - Roza Isakovna Otunbayeva – Roza Otunbayeva Foundation
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