What is THE GiViNG TREE?...

You are!

If you can understand why the letter "i" is small.

The following is a personal vision of TDK and THE GiViNG TREE in the Creation of The LA Freedom Festival:

Chapter 1

ReflectionS
Memorial Day Weekend
May 29-31, 2004

On the spring eqinox of 2003 we met on a dry Mojave lake bed. It was here, at the intimate Burning Woman, we were taught the practical application of an old magic called 'GiFTiNG'. Its power derives from the lifting up of those souls around us who we observe needing nourishment. The potent and active ingredient in 'GiFTiNG' can be appropriately called 'LOVE'.

It's easy...

and yet still easier to forget...

ReflectionS was an exercise in this ancient Art.
The Art of Alex Grey gave us the REASON and led to the
iDEA.

The iDEA was to create an non-profit event
That would seek to raise a fund
To commission a work of ART
From an Artist we vote to HONOR
In celebration of their PASSiON
And in recognition of their social and cultural
CONTRiBUTiON.

The commissioned ARTwork will then be customarily GiFTED by the ARTIST to the community who help to create the event. This community is called THE GiViNG TREE. Then, during a 'GiFTING Ceremony', One individual family member will be selected to be the custodian and care-taker of the ARTWORK for one seasonal period.

Every equinox and solstice this 'GiFTiNG Ceremony' will take place. At this ceremony, a new custodian will be nominated and THE GiViNG TREE body will attend to determine the next ARTiST to honor.

With the passing of each new season the gallery will grow and the collection will pass honorably from hand to nominated hand until a time when a permanent home can be created for this expanding collection.

Then, the ART will be relinquished to this gallery. All past custodians will be offered partial caretaker assignments/responsibilities of the gallery's collection. This stewardship appointment will be of the highest honor.

The gallery will never seek for profit, but only to maintain and expand the contents of its institution.

It shall be free to the public.

It shall be an art gallery given to, from, and for the people.

In the process we're gonna throw a hell of a lot of good parties!

But always non-profit.

All honoring the Giving Artist in every one of us.

So, What Is THE GiViNG TREE?

THE GiViNG TREE is you!

Thank You!

Tedward, Derek, Kandice

http://givingtree.tribe.net