Exhibitions:

"Buddha Earth" (Group Show), "Common Ground (Digital Art For A Healthy Planet)", A&I Gallery, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., July 8 - August 13, 2010.

"Buddha Earth" (Group Show), "Common Ground (Digital Art For A Healthy Planet)", Huan Tie Art Museum, Beijing, China, November 9 - 19, 2008 (Limited Edition Commemorative Book; all the book proceeds donated to these environmental non-profit organizations: The World Wildlife Fund, Global Giving, and the Global Environmental Institute.).

Photo of Earth courtesy of NASA: AS17-148-22727 (December 7, 1972) This view of Earth ("The Blue Marble") was seen by the Apollo 17 crew as they traveled toward the Moon on their NASA lunar landing mission. The Apollo 17 crew consisted of astronauts Eugene A. Cernan, mission commander; Ronald E. Evans, command module pilot; and Harrison H. Schmitt, lunar module pilot. While astronauts Cernan and Schmitt descended in the Lunar Module (LM) to explore the moon, astronaut Evans remained with the Command and Service Modules (CSM) in lunar orbit (NASA).

Courtesy of Common Ground:

The Common Ground Partnership

Bringing together art, technology and philanthropy to focus attention on - and raise money for - environmental projects worldwide.

Who is Common Ground?

An online community of artists, designers, galleries, curators, art patrons, art institutions, art consumers and concerned corporate citizens.

What is Common Ground?

International touring exhibition and media events highlighting digital art in limited edition reproductions and commemorative books, all focused on the theme of environmental stewardship.

When does Common Ground take place?

A touring art exhibition premiered in Beijing, China at the Huan Tie Art Museum in November 2008, and now continues in North America and Europe in 2010. A new Common Ground exhibition will be produced in London 2012 to coincide with the Summer Olympic games in London.

How does Common Ground fulfill its mission?

It's a corporate sponsored, brand extension series of events that generates media coverage through artist and celebrity participation, with visibility on television, print media and on the Web. Through this visibility and art sales, Common Ground raises awareness and funds for environmental stewardship projects.

Why Common Ground?

At the end of the day, Common Ground raises the profile for our corporate partners and their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives, while at the same time raises media visibility and financial support for environmental non-profit organizations around the world (Common Ground).

Limited Edition Commemorative Book (250 copies):

Chambers' book 37/250.

"Buddha Earth" (#2) is in the private collection of Don Zedde, DVM. Dr. Zedde was born and raised in Calgary, and he graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981. He has practiced veterinary medicine in the Calgary area for 30 years. He is a Buddhist, and he is contemplating starting a non-profit, web-based organization for Buddhists wanting to take action on climate change. A possible name might be Buddhist Climate Emergency Sangha.

"Buddha Earth" is a part of the Earth Holder Sangha group's public service announcements (promotions):

This Sangha is a community within the larger Plum Village tradition of Buddhism started by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. There are 25 ordained members - both lay and monastic - of Nhat Hanh's Order of Interbeing, which was started in 1966.

Thich Nhat Hanh has written more than 70 books about making Buddhism real and alive in people's daily lives and culture. His involvement with seeing the larger environmental picture is embedded in the name of the Order itself - interbeing. They are not only with each other, but also all of Nature. In 1970, Thay (Thich Nhat Hanh) helped organize the largest environmental meeting ever held. Over 2000 scientists met in Menton, in Southern France, and addressed the interlocking issues of war, poverty, overpopulation and environmental destruction. Thay was asked to name, or theme the conference, and he called it "Dai Dong, The Great Togetherness". A Declaration (message) came out of the conference, The Menton Message, which was eventually signed by 5000 scientists and government leaders. It was published in the UN Courier in July 1971. The organization called Dai Dong, existed for about 7 years.

The Earth Holder Sangha group is bringing forth this vision, continuing it and looking to expand its realization in this time. As is beginning to happen in the Catholic faith with the Pope's new "Encyclical on Climate Change and Social Justice, Laudato Si", and with the new Declaration from the Islamic Faith, this group is first working to increase awareness and action with their own faith tradition, while is also beginning to connect to other faiths and activist groups.

Comment from George Hoguet, Ordained Member, Earth Holder Sangha:

"Thanks again for allowing us to use "Buddha Earth". I can't think of any other image that so quickly, and beautifully, connects the viewer to the vision of the Buddhist Earth Holder Sangha. Dharanimdhara, the Bodhisattva Earth Holder (from the Lotus Sutra), will surely bless your works. May your day be well."

"Buddha Earth" used as cover image for Thich Nhat Hanh's Facebook page: