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contributed by Dr. Carroll Cradock (1) Very often, and particularly in times such as these, the suffering of people prompts us to want to turn away from seeing it. Yet, public and collective art works such as Cairn & Cloud offer us the opportunity to witness the depth of trauma in ordinary people and their courage in facing it. This courage enables them to be transformed into stronger, more beautiful human beings. We see their valor in facing it both alone and together. Forming clay as witness to trauma  I was privileged to participate in this work when I joined Corinne in leading workshops at El Circulo, a center for Mexican-American women in Brighton Park and at Sarah’s Inn, an Oak Park community organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by domestic violence. At each workshop, I saw women seated side by side reach for the clay to re-create their trauma and express their hope. As they shaped the clay, some talked about their experiences and hopes and others did not. But each of them witnessed the trauma and transformation of the others as they embraced their own. Collection of clay works in Cairn & Cloud a witness to trauma  Today we all witness and are inspired by the courage of each and all who created this magnificent collective artwork by facing the truth of their own terrible and merciless experiences. The witness of this collective artwork is all the more powerful for its eloquent silence. El Ojo Que Llora in Lima, Peru – Witness to victims of terrorism in Peru Before they began to shape their clay at the workshops, the women viewed images of other collective art works. Among these was a labyrinth, a magnificent memorial to the very ordinary people of Peru—over 70,000—who were murdered during 20 years of terrorism that ended in 2000.   The sculptor Lika Mutal, my dear friend, who died just over a week ago (November, 2016), created the labyrinth, El Ojo Que Llora or The Eye That Cries, in a city park in Lima. Yes, she put this memorial to victims of terrorism right in a city park so that as many people as possible could witness the importance of the lives of these very ordinary people---people who would otherwise be forgotten. The labyrinth stones commemorating each person were also made by very ordinary people who are relatives and friends of those who were killed. El Ojo Que Llora began with the vision of one woman who mobilized others to help her create that memorial. Cairn & Cloud also began with the vision of one woman, Corinne Peterson, whose dedication to this vision mobilized so many to support the transformation of those who have suffered trauma. Without doubt, this commitment to honor and transform the suffering of ordinary people which came toward us from Peru is now joined with Cairn & Cloud. No doubt it will inspire those in other places, beginning with Portland, Oregon, to witness to and transform the trauma of ordinary people. A Place to Sustain and Extend this Witness As the mission of Cairn & Cloud spreads, its expression created first here in Chicago needs a home. We are seeking a public location that will welcome Cairn & Cloud for now and the future: an indoor space (since it is made of clay), where people will see it as they enter or walk through the place. We hope you will think about this and send us possible locations that may welcome Cairn & Cloud. Please send your ideas to [email protected].  Carroll Cradock, Ph.D., a psychologist for over 30 years, works in the West Loop counselingadultsadolescentschildren.com/. She teaches International Psychology at the Chicago campus of Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has been engaged with the Cairn Project from its beginning. She is also a weaver whose tapestries currently focus on themes of good and evil. (1) Edited version of Carroll Cradock’s speech at Cairn & Cloud reception at Citlalin Gallery, November 18, 2016 Coming Posts Reflections from The Next Cairn in Portland, an extension of The Cairn Project Guest posts by Elizabeth Russell and Kara Jefts  http://www.thecairnproject.com/ https://www.facebook.com/cairnproject/ https://www.instagram.com/cairnproject/
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