THE ART OF HUMAN RIGHTS The “Artists for Human Rights” art show which opened in New York as part of a United Nations summit is coming to LA with an opening at the Johnson Art Collection on Melrose Avenue on October 26 from 6-9pm. The show, sponsored by Academy Award nominated actress and activist Anne Archer, is the second stop on its international tour and runs through November 16.

The show features paintings, sculptures, and multimedia presentations by thirty-six international artists each reflecting some aspect of the thirty points of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Filmmaker Taron Lexton presents a series of public service announcements on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights “intended to give the viewer an intense aesthetic and emotional education on the subject”. Artwork from Armenian artist Yuroz, selected by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to create six commemorative United Nations stamps, is also included in the show.

The show first opened in New York City at SoHo's Westwood Gallery on August 25 as part of a two-day summit co-sponsored by Artists for Human Rights and the Church of Scientology International Human Rights Department along with a coalition of other groups. The summit also included a Youth for Human Rights conference at United Nations Headquarters and a concert in Union Square Park attended by an estimated 8000 people. The show is planning to tour to San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, London and Florence before returning to New York.

Artists for Human Rights (AFHR), founded by Anne Archer, has the purpose of bringing artists together with the common cause of raised awareness and education of human rights. Participation is broad-based, embracive of all races, creeds and nationalities with its only prerequisite a support and affirmation of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 with 191 countries now ascribing to this declaration.

"The artists in this show,” said organizer Pomm Hepner, "are using the quality of their communications to show that people really do have rights, that they must know their rights, and insist on their rights and the rights of others. Together, we are using the power of artistic communication to move the world towards one where human rights are a reality. In addition to their involvement in the show they are donating thirty percent of the sale of each piece of artwork to Artists for Human Rights.”

"ESCAPE FROM SUPPRESSION"

by Ron Anderson

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