'Passages to a Better World': Extraordinary Art Exhibit Joins the Route to Human Rights

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Mar 21, 2011, 05:01 ET

MIAMI, March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On April 7th, 2011 at 11:30 am, St. Thomas University will unveil the inaugural sculpture show "Passages to a Better World" a unique art exhibit that brings human rights to the front burner. In addition, the towering sculptures will become a member of the first art exposition of its kind in the world, the Route to Human Rights by representing Article 28 of the Human Rights Declaration: I have the right to social and international order.

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Local Miami artist/architect John Angee has created four metal sculptures ranging from fifteen to twenty five feet in height entitled "Passages to a Better World". He became inspired when an art management graduate student at St. Thomas University Alina Philipp proposed the idea of creating four small model sculptures. She explained her vision for the future of university's beautiful landscape. Angee was instantly motivated and went to work on the sculptures. The sculptures grew from four small models to four colossal dramatic sculptures now known as "Passages to a Better World." The sculptures are metal in raw form; viewers are able to touch them and feel the strength of the iron and the natural texture gained from the molding of the metal. They are interactive and multidimensional as observers can see the pieces as well as experience them and ponder their existence. The shapes of the sculptures appear to be unusual doorways into another time that the spectator can choose to walk through and gain a different perspective into life's possibilities. According to John, "the message of the sculptures is conceptualized through the idea that the personal ability to make changes in one's life can take place by maintaining an open heart and mind."

The mission of the sculptures is to encourage partnerships in both private and public sectors. In there continued efforts to promote human rights education and awareness, the International Solidarity for Human Rights: The New Generation invited "Passages to a Better World" and St. Thomas University's Human Rights Institute to participate in the development of the Route to Human Rights. This unique multimedia project, takes residents and visitors throughout Florida, where they may visit 30 works of art, each representing one of the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The state of Florida takes the lead in the installation of the Route to Human Rights and they intend to take this concept to numerous other locations around the world.

Through the efforts of Msgr. Casale, President of St. Thomas University, Dr. Susan Angulo, Associate Provost, and Dr. Gloria P. Ruiz, Director of the Institute for Communications, Entertainment and Media, "Passages to a Better World " will grace the university campus landscape on the year of it's 50th anniversary.

It is through the new and innovative graduate program titled MA, Communication Arts with an Art Management Specialization that students in South Florida are able to realize such projects. This program includes various courses that focus on a wide range of studies from classical to contemporary art and encourages students to actively participate in the arts. As a result, students like Alina Philipp have been enthusiastically participating in South Florida's arts industry.

The launch will be held from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and is open to the public. However, reservations are required. Please contact 305.474.6645 or [email protected] to place your reservation or for more information. For more information regarding the Arts Management program visit the STU website at www.stu.edu/icem

SOURCE St. Thomas University