A flock of 1,000 paper doves form an art installation at the University of Winchester’s chapel this summer.
Origami doves, created by students, staff, and local churches, schools and community groups have been suspended from the ceiling above the altar.
The paper birds, attached to fishing line, form a huge fan shape above the altar and will remain on view until 19 September, from 10am to 4pm each day.
Entitled 'One Thousand Doves of Peace', the installation symbolises solidarity with people in war zones and hope for peace.
University chaplain Rev’d Sue Hart said: “Several catastrophic events have occurred in recent times and many of the students we speak to have expressed their fears about war and nuclear holocaust.
“We wanted to do something in response to that in which people could express their hopes and fears but we also wanted to say there is something beyond that… Hope is an act of rebellion - it is not giving into the narrative that the world is going to hell in a handbasket.
“This is our tiny way of saying the world could be a better place.”
Sue sent out invitations to organisations in the area with instructions on how to make their dove.
Those taking part were asked to write a prayer or message on their dove.
They were also encouraged to learn and perform a round composed by Vicky Feldwick, who leads the University’s Music Centre.
The Round was performed by a choir at a special interfaith service in the chapel to unveil the installation on 21 May from 6.30pm.
University chaplains at the interfaith service to unveil the artwork (Photo by Vicky Feldwick)
Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Christian chaplains took part in the service at which young Ukrainian musician, LaLa, gave an acapella performance of ‘My Ukraine’, a song which she had written about her homeland.
Among the groups involved in the project are St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Twyford School, The Quakers, St. Paul’s Church Fulford, Voices for Peace Winchester, St. Mary’s Bentworth CE Primary School, St. Leonard’s Church Sherfield, Stanmore Primary School, Romsey Abbey and Melford Lodge.
Pupils at Twyford School making paper docs for the installation
Students Maria Rog and Silvia Garcia Portilla put the finishing touches to the chains of doves
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