Peter Max to present posters

eter Max, one of America's most recognized artists and the official artist for Earth Day 1995, will be in San Diego for Earth Week. An important exhibition of his art will open at the Circle Gallery in Old Town on April 21.
Max has exerted a sweeping and enduring influence in the world of art that has often been compared to the Beatles' impact on the music of our time. His art represents a unique blending of cultural symbolism with an intense and vivid color palette. Recent works are more painterly and sensuous than his art from the 1960s, but are still rendered in bold intense colors.
The original poster created by Max for the 25th Anniversary of Earth Day, features a large image of the earth seeming to float on the horizon behind two ships heading out to sea, against a background of swirling clouds and the sun with brilliant rays emerging. A figure in the foreground watches.
The signed posters will presented to San Diego Earth Day during his visit here and then offered for sale as part of the Silent Auction at the VIP (Very Important Planet) Reception at Scripps Aquarium Museum on Thursday, April 20 (call (619) 496-6666 for reservation information).
As a passionate environmentalist and defender of human and animal rights, Max has frequently directed his artistic energy toward noteworthy causes. In 1992, he created the official postage stamps commemorating the first environmental Summit held in Rio de Janeiro. As official artist of Earth Day 1995, he embraces a cause for which he has long felt a personal commitment.
Throughout his artwork, Max celebrates the American experience and revels in popular American imagery - as reflected in the vibrant and exuberant images he created as official artist for World Cup USA '94 and for Super Bowls XXVII and XXIX.
Unabashedly patriotic, he has created numerous works celebrating our nation's principles of freedom and democracy, including his famous Statue of Liberty painting, series of American flags, and portraits of five United States presidents.
European-born and raised in Shanghai, Tibet, Israel and France, Max's multicultural background has given his work a rich artistic character, with influences as diverse as classical Western art, European expressionism, American jazz and the ancient traditional culture of China.
Says Max, "My art is an expression of myself. My art has to do with where I am and what I'm doing . . . I'm like a jazz musician, only I play with colors and I love it."
Circle Gallery hours are Sunday through Wednesday, 10AM to 6PM, Thursday through Saturday, 10AM - 8PM. The exhibition runs though May 15th.

Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson to speak

idely considered to be he Father of Earth Day, Gaylord Nelson, former Governor and Senator from Wisconsin, will speak about, "The Future of the Environmental Movement: Twenty-five Years After the First Earth Day," at 7pm, Thursday, April 13, in the Institute of the Americas Auditorium on the UCSD campus. The program, sponsored by the Helen Edison Lecture Series, is free and open to the public.
The 25th anniversary of the first Earth Day will be celebrated on April 22 of this year. The anniversary comes at a time when political pressure is being exerted to cut budgets for environmental programs and private donations for environmental groups are on the wane.
Nelson is a staunch environmentalist with a record of notable achievements. As a Senator from Wisconsin, Nelson introduced the first legislation in Congress to mandate fuel efficiency standards in automobiles, control strip mining, ban the use of DDT, ban the use of agent orange, and ban the use of phosphates in detergents.
As counselor to The Wilderness Society, Nelson continues to work for the protection of the environment. The Wilderness Society is the only national organization that is devoted primarily to public lands protection and management issues.
There is a $3 fee for parking on the UCSD campus. For more information, call 534-3400.

Dr. Vogel shares wisdom of the Himalayas

by John Dorsey
or Earth Day '95, Dr. Erhard Vogel, Ph.D. will speak at the Vogel Institute, 3033 Central Avenue, on Wednesday, April 19th from 6pm - 8pm.
Dr. Vogel has lived among the sages of the Himalayas, teaching seekers from all over the world. He has traveled extensively throughout many countries, experiencing their cultures. For over twenty-five years, he has been teaching the means to live in tune with nature and to be truly fulfilled in the awareness of our true, interconnected Self.
Learn how to become truly fulfilled in life by awakening to subtler and more deep-reaching self-experience. See how you can bring a greater sense of peace, purpose and true contentment into the routine activities of your daily life.
"One of the most powerful and pervasive influences upon the environment is the human being," says Dr. Vogel. "If the internal state of human beings is one of harmony, cleanliness and health, there is the likelihood that human beings will project that positive state upon the environment.
"If the internal state of human beings is toxic, unhealthy and in disarray, there is a strong likelihood that this negative state will be projected onto our environment. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance for each one of us to create a powerful and lasting positive state within ourselves in order to have a beneficial influence upon the earth."
After the event, from 8pm - 9:30pm, there will be a presentation and information on the Vogel Institute's Expert in Life program. Refreshments will be served. Tickets are $3 in advance and $5 at the door. Space is limited, so please RSVP by Saturday, April 15 to 282-2111. Proceeds will be donated to San Diego Earth Day and the Nature Conservancy.