PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT:  Beth Grossman

212/ 949-4071

bethg@cma-inc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE------ New York City ------------------------------January 25, 2002

PUBLIC SCULPTURE AT UNITED NATIONS LINKS ALL PEOPLE AND ALL NATIONS

At the heart of Neil Tetkowski's multi-faceted, artistic undertaking, the " Common Ground World Project" is a singularly fascinating concept: collect clay and sand samples from all 188 United Nations member states, formulate them into a single "world clay", and create an 8 foot sculpture celebrating the interconnection of all human beings. There is an elegant simplicity to this idea, made remarkable by the fact that the project was endorsed by the United Nations, and is installed in the main UN building in New York. Symbolizing the generations of humanity is 102 year old Mary Livornese whose handprint graces the center of the sculpture.

United Nations Exhibition - The completed World Mandala Monument sculpture is on view to the public in the main lobby of the UN, Through March 6, 2002.

Enter at First Avenue at East 46th Street. Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM. There is no admission charge.

UN Under-Secretary General, Nitin Desai says, "This extraordinary work of art illustrates the spiritual and genetic thread that connects all people, tying us together with hope and inspiration." It is an environmental work sponsored by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs during the preparatory meeting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

January 24, 2002: UN PRESS RELEASE

New York artist Neil Tetkowski comments that, "The World Mandala Monument speaks to the collective need for unity. Living breathing people from every nation participated equally in this project. And it is the first time earth from every country of the world has been blended together to symbolically dissolve borders and boundaries. This collaboration with individuals in every nation of the world is an ideal vision for all of humanity----past, present and future."

The Ford Foundation recently made a generous grant to support the final fabrication and installation of the World Mandala Monument at the UN. This work is a sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts.

For more information on Tetkowski's World Mandala Monument go to:    www.tetkowski.com

Contact Tetkowski Studio:  e-mail

Common Ground World Project      410 West 84th Street #84, New York, New York 10019 tel. 212-255-1850    

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