How can peace be achieved in such a violent world?

Hello, I am Amber Hasselbring. I am an artist. I may work differently than other artists you may know. I create art out in public spaces like a street corner, on BART or here with you today. I work this way because more people will see and experience what I do if it is taken out of my studio and out of art galleries. I am not the first to work this way, and I have brought examples of others in art history who make art out of life. (3:15 - 3:25)

First, we’ll play a game to get your mind warmed up. (3:25 - 3:35)      

Pair up with someone who you've never met. Choose a person (A) and a person (B), and decide who will go first. I am going to ask you a question, and one of you will answer while the other listens quietly, then we’ll switch and the other person will answer the same question. 

Why did you get up this morning?

Pair up with a new person you've never met. Choose a person from a (SUBURB) and a person from a (CITY). Remember to not speak while the other person is talking. Ready?

When do you feel peaceful? How does it feel?

Pair up with another person you don't know. Choose a (POOR) person a (RICH) person. Now, I'll ask you to describe something. Ready?

Describe an act of violence you've witnessed. What did you do?

Pair up with another person you don't know. Choose a person (FEMALE) and an (MALE) person.

Do you have any friends who are very different from you? If so, how are they different?

Using the map of SOMARTS printed on the back of this page, go to the colored-in places and perform various tasks with your team mates and with me.

1. If we treat each other with kindness, respect and appreciation, we surround ourselves with people who we admire and care about. (3:40 - 3:50)              

Climb the stairs to the stage, and go to the back left, turn around into the dressing room and find the mirrors lining the walls. Everyone stand in front of the mirrors, look at yourself and the people around you. Exchange compliments.

2. "PLEASE LEAVE US A NOTE OR WHATEVER"      

Peace in a violent world? What is peace, and what does it make us think about? We must first have an idea about how peace would change our world, and we must have these ideas in our minds as we live our lives. (3:55 - 4:05)

Go back into the main room, and walk toward the left wall where you'll find a narrow hallway with offices next to a computer lab. There is some cool stuff in the office; peer through the windows to check it out. Hanging on the office door, there is a bulletin board with the words, "PLEASE LEAVE US A NOTE OR WHATEVER", written onto it. The person in the office who you'll leave a note for can do just about anything. Write your notes in pencil on paper, cut them out, and string them with twine onto the bulletin board.

-Ask to change one thing about this building.
-Ask to change one thing about your town or city.
-Ask to change one thing about the U.S.
-Ask to change one thing about the world.

3. Organizing, Cleaning, and Spiffing:  When we care about our surroundings, we set an example for others to do the same. (4:05 - 4:15)

Use the map to go to any part of the building you wish, and organize, clean and generally spiff-up what you find there. Find three pieces of trash, and in ten minutes, meet me next to the garbage cans by the front entry to throw away your trash.      

Thank you. I enjoyed making art with you!