Monday, January 01, 2007

The Rainbow Bridge Peace Project

An International Peace Project
for the
Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul


How it could be...


Above, how it is today.

Rainbow Bridge Images
Rainbow Bridge Presentation
7 Synergy
The Rainbow
Peace
Quotes of Support
The Bosphorus Bridge

NPP conceived the concept of Rainbow Bridge (RB) c. 1997-99. There are 7 concrete panels spanning the underside of the Bosphorus Bridge periodically painted with anti-corrosive grey paint.
NPP propose instead of grey anti-corrosive paint, the Turks applying the paint could use anti-corrosive paint mixed with 7 rainbow colour pigments. This will create an image the international media will find interesting and the benefits associated with the synergy of 7 can generate a positive and fun marketing story.


Read The story so far



The Bosphorus sea strait is unique in that it is where the East and West continents meet; where Europe meets Asia; the Christian world world meets the Muslim world. Turkish media coverage and support for the project was secured from important Turkish media personalities such as Cahit Akyol, Leyla Umar and Gila Benmayor. When I appeared on the popular Turkish TV show Zaga in 2003, there were 100,000 hits to www.nedpamphilon.com that weekend. However, internet-hackers deleted Ataturk portrait images, posted Islamic scripture and destroyed the site within weeks. After several attempts to re-establish a website, one Ali Yildrim contacted NPP, suggested I start a blog and this is it.

Ned with Okan Bayulgen on the Zaga TV show December 2003

NPP secured the support of possibly the biggest chemical company in the world, Germany's BASF for nearly 2 years. Ned Pamphilon met AKP government ministers, secretaries and under-secretaries during a meeting in Ankara. The project was well received and we were told to consider it a "done deal".

Later Egemen Bagis, Istanbul Parliamentary Deputy, adviser and translator to Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, informed BASF that the PM saw positive aspects to the project, but held 3 main concerns:
- The "San Francisco" issue (BASF tried to convince the government authorities that this is not of relevance especially if the project is marketed in the right way)
- Terrorism (may always remain an open issue)
- No local paint producer involved (this was corrected, because then sponsor BASF have a local partner for the paint and would deliver the pigments only. Local Turkish paint companies had previously been approached directly, but only BASF responded in the affirmative)

Egemen Bagis was next due to talk to Mr. Zeki Ergezen, the then Minister of Public Works Settlements, to inform him of the PM's opinion, give it a further push and to give additional direction to the 17th Regional Highway Patrol District. Something happened inbetween as later BASF were informed this project would never happen under this AKP government.

The only official paper communication NPP have is a letter of rejection from The 17th Regional Highway Authority manager, Mr. Yakup Dost.

Below is an English version, kindly translated by Ali Yildirim, of the rejection letter from the 17th Regional Highway Patrol Authority dated 15.09.2004. It reads:

Your applications have been reviewed by our Regional Office.

The type of paint and colour to be used was discussed at length during the construction of the First Bosphorus Bridge*, a German-Turkish joint venture and opened to the public in 1973. At these discussions attended by local and foreign experts, factors such as the dominant colours of the Bosphorus, its appearance, the effect of the bridge's construction on the make-up of the Bosphorus were looked at from all possible perspectives, and it was decided to favour a visual impact that would have the least dramatic effect in accordance with the selected aerodynamics of the bridge, and that the chosen colour of the applied paint should not increase that impact. An agreement was reached that the grey hue chosen in accordance with the above decision was the least influential to the skyline (sky drop) and the make-up of the Bosphorus and would ensure the bridge did not stand out. The same criteria were followed in the selection of paint colours for the Second Bosphorus Bridge**.

As you suggest in the aforementioned applications, if the rainbow colours were to be applied beneath the bridge, it is clear that this would make the construction more solid and visible. Furthermore, not only is the view that rainbow colours are ideal for the bridge completely subjective, it contradicts with the necessity to paint the whole bridge in one colour. The most important factor to take into consideration is that the chosen colour must not make a negative impact on the make-up and appearance of the Bosphorus. Similar applications have also been deemed unsuitable for the reasons given above,

Yakup Dost
Highway Authority Manager

NPP comments:

* The Bogazici Bridge is known as the First Bosphorus Bridge. A contract was signed with the British firm Freeman Fox & Partners in 1968 for the structural engineering work. The designer was the Englishman Gilbert Roberts. The construction was carried out by the Turkish firm Enka Construction & Industry Co., along with the co-contractors Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Co. Ltd. (England) and Hochtief AG (Germany).
It is not clear why Yakup Dost refers only to a German-Turk venture when there was also English collaboration.

** The Second Bosphorus Bridge is called the Faith Sultan Mehmet Bridge.

NPP continue to believe RB will benefit which ever Turkish government happens to be in power at the time. RB will open the imaginations of millions of children. The authorities reportedly spent $40,000,000 on an tourism advertising campaign at the end of 2005. BASF offered to sponsor the RB project and submitted a detailed budgeted protocol costing a maximum of €350,000. RB will reap dividends because every news agency in the world will cover the story; art magazines will feature it; architectural magazines; it may be entered to the Guinness Book of Records as the longest artwork between 2 continents; perhaps even be entered for The Turner Prize.......the opportunities are endless.

If the rainbow colours are so strongly disliked, the bridge can be painted grey again.

Istanbul is to be the EU Cultural Capital in 2010. RB would be a perfect tool for such a venture. RB could aid Turkey's EU aspirations and generate a more constructive image toward the sceptical French, German and Scandinavian public.

RB could also highlight Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who founded secular democratic Turkey of approximately 97% Muslims where an individual is entitled to freedom of belief; though this gets hampered by everyday politics of course. He was an engaging character, though if you are into single religious theocratic states you probably won't agree. This association may be another reason why the conservative and religious leaning AKP government do not wish to implement RB; they do not wish to highlight an artist who has painted Ataturk.

Ataturk said: "Our religion is the most reasonable and natural of all, and that is the reason why it is the most recently established religion. For a religion to be natural it must conform to reason, science, technology and logic. Our religion fully conforms to all of these."

Churchill said: "Ataturk's death is not only a loss for the country, but for Europe is the greatest loss, he who saved Turkey in the war and who revived a new the Turkish nation after the war. The sincere tears shed after him by all classes of people is nothing other than an appropriate manifestation to this great hero and modern Turkey's Ata."

The message of RB is simple: peace, tolerance and dialogue are good for business and there are major themes of peace to be promoted from Turkey:
- 7 peaceful colours of the rainbow which appeared in the skies above Mount Ararat (Mount Agri) in present day Eastern Turkey, along with the dove and olive branch - all representing universal symbols of peace
- the Mevlevi Whirling Dervish movement founded in Konya giving Turkey a tailor-made peace slogan for her tourism industry: Come, come who ever you are, however you are, just come.
- Ataturk founded the secular democratic Republic of Turkey 1923 consisting of 7 internal regions and touched by 7 bordering countries: Greece, Bulgaria, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq and Syria. He left behind a standard bearer quote applicable for all peace minded nations throughout the world:
Yurtta Bagis, Dunyada Bagis - Peace at Home, Peace in the World


Comparison can be made between RB and projects such as the Eiffel Tower, London Eye and particularly works by Christo and his wife Jeann Claude. The Eiffel Tower experienced considerable resistance before becoming a much loved and internationally recognised icon. The London Eye also encountered resistance before inspiring a British Airways corporate logo, has since been an advertising tool for mobile phone company O2 and is today a popular London landmark. Christo and Jeann Claude spend years planning, organising and persuading authorities before implementing their projects. Initial resistance was followed by international acclaim, cultural and financial success e.g. the German Parliament Building, the Miami islands and the Pont Neuf in Paris.

NPP took a painting station to several public locations in Turkey and generally the public appeared very supportive of the Rainbow Bridge project. Turkish channel TV8 conducted a street survey which concluded YES.

Somewhere along the line the authorities have a problem with the RB project. The problem may be financial and contractual issue. It may just be fear of the untried and untested. The Turkish business community, although very supportive in private, did little to support the project in real terms. This is understandable since one does not wish to compromising relationship with the same government which issues business contract tenders. RB may one day create more business and positive PR for Turkey than any of them apparently understand. RB has become its own little private drop in the ocean to help change the world for the better; a stance against the conservative status quo which so often declares it cares about peace in the world but in practise does little to show it.

Time will tell.

14.09.2013
Love Bridge in Balikesir painted in rainbow colours:
http://www.haberler.com/ask-koprusu-gokkusagi-rengine-boyandi-5043039-haberi/

Contact: nppistanbul7@gmail.com

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Friday, January 06, 2006

Rainbow Bridge Presentation

Click to view the Rainbow Bridge slide show presentation of the Power Point pages below.......

Thursday, January 05, 2006

7 Synergy

7 concrete panels span the underside of the Bosphorus Bridge

7 rainbow colours: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet

7 letter words: Turkiye, Ataturk, Osmanli, Mevlana, Ortaköy, Marmara, Topkapi, secular, Erdoğan

7 major WORLD religions: Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Tao, Judaism, Confucianism

7 ayets: 7 sentences open the Koran
- In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most merciful
- Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds
- Most Gracious, Most Merciful
- Master of the Day of Judgment
- Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek
- Show us the straight way
- The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.

7th commandment of Islam and Christianity: Thou shall not kill
- Quran: Anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people (5:32)
"You shall not kill any person - for God has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. If one is killed unjustly, then we give his heir authority to enforce justice. Thus, he shall not exceed the limits in avenging the murder, he will be helped." (17:33) Exodus 20: 1-17 & Deuteronomy 5: 6-21): Thou shall not kill.

7 traditional hills of Istanbul: Cemberlitas, Beyazit, Fatih, Edirnekapi, Kocamustafapasa, Sultanahmet, Aksaray

7 churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation are found in Turkey: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea

7 geographical regions to Turkey: Mediterranean, Aegean, Black Sea, Marmara, Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Southern Anatolia Regions

7 bordering countries: Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Syria

7 traditional continents of the world: Asia, Europe, North Americas, South Americas, Africa, Australasia, Antarctica

7 traditional seas of the world: Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, Southern Ocean, Mediterranean, Caribbean

7 historical civilizations: Mesopotamia, Hittite, Urartu, Ionian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman

7 big gates to Topkapi Palace

7 degrees of separation which divide humanity

7 stages to spiritual enlightenment

7 chakras of the body

7 days of creation

7 days of the week

7 musical tones: do - ra - me - fa - so - la - te

7 finger holes to the Ney musical instrument

7 times Joshua walked around Jericho accompanied by
7 priests carrying
7 trumpets

7 th day they circled Jericho
7 times and the walls came tumbling down

7 heavens according to the Koran, Bible, Shaman and Druids

7 deadly sins

7 virtues

7 cycles to life according to tradition

7 inspires the Hebrew Septenary design in the Bible

7 steps to Heaven according to popular belief

7 th son of the 7th son is by Jewish tradition believed to have great healing powers

7 leagues in one stride may be walked by the weraer of magic boots according to the mythical magic of giants or men of renown.

7 is the influence upon which Hebrews swear an oath to come to influence under

7 Argive heroes of Greek legend

7 champions of English legend

7 gifts of the spirits

7 Japanese gods of Luck

7 joys and sorrows of Mary

7 sacrements

7 ages of Greece or Wise Men of Greece

7 sciences

7 senses – according to the ancients, by influence of the planets: fire moves, earth sense of feeling, water gives speech, air taste, mist sight, flowers hearing and the south wind smell.

7 wonders of the ancient world.

7 according to Numerology has Jesus Christ as the number 7

7 is scholarly, mystical, withdrawn, dreamy, time, stability, endurance and duration.

7 forms the Septenary design as 777 (the beast 666)

7 elementary hues to the spectrum when blended together form white.

7 spirits of God

7 churches of Asia

7 golden candlesticks

7 stars

7 lamps of fire

7 seals

7 trumpets

7 angels (you thought there were only 4?!)

7 thunders

7 headed Red Dragon in Revelations with 7 crowns

7 pairs of animal go into Noah's Ark (and we thought it was 2)

7 pairs of each type of bird

7 days between the prediciton of the deluge and the rain

7 days between sending of the doves

7 th month the Ark rests on 17th day and Noah leaves the Ark on 27th day to begin his
7 th century

7 wonders of the ancient world:
- the Great Pyramid of Cheops at Giza
- the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus (Turkey)
- the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (today's Bodrum)
- the Colossus of Rhodes (over looked the Aegean Sea)
- the Statue of Zeus at Olympia (Turkey)
- the Pharos Lighthouse at Alexandria

7 in 007

7 UP

7 dwarfs in Snow White

Add further examples if you have them......

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

The Rainbow

The Oxford English Dictionary Definition: Rainbow

rainbow
/ا reınbц/ n. & adj. – n. 1 an arch of colours (conventionally red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) formed in the sky (or across a cataract etc.) opposite the sun by reflection, twofold refraction, and dispersion of the sun’s rays in falling rain or in spray or mist. 2 a similar effect formed by the moon’s rays. – adj. Many-coloured. rainbow lorikeet a small brightly coloured Polynesian parrot, trichoglossus haematodus. rainbow trout a large trout, Salmo gairdneri, orig. of the Pacific coast of N.America. ssecondary rainbow an additional arch with the colours in reverse orderformed inside or outside a rainbow by twofold reflection and twofold refraction. [OE regnboga ( as RAIN, BOWا )]

The Oxford English Dictionary Definition: Rainbow

Rainbow Bridge the world’s largest bridge of natural rock, situated in San Juan county in southern Utah. Its span is 86m (278ft).

The science of rainbow colours according to NPP's L1 specialist

We use our eyes to see the things around us. The human eye is like a camera lens.

Light is a kind of electromagnetic radiation. There is no difference between high frequency radio waves and light waves, apart from their wave-length.

We cannot see high frequency radio waves; our eyes are not capable of detecting such frequencies. We can detect them with the aid of electronic apparatus.
The wave-length of high frequency radio waves varies from 2-5m long (FM) to a few cm long (3-5 Gigahertz).
The wave-length of visible light is between 3-7 Angstrom (Aº).
1 Angstrom = 1/10,000,000 mm.
Our eyes can only see 3-7 Angstrom wave-length radiation i.e. visible light.

The colour of visible light is dependent upon its wave-length.
At the higher end of the wave-length scale, 7Aº, the light appears purple in colour.
Toward the lower end of the wave-length, 3Aº, the light appears red.

Approximate colour and related wave-length:
7Aº = red (red/orange)
6Aº = yellow
5Aº = green
4Aº = blue
3Aº = purple (violet/indigo)

Light waves shorter than 3 Aº (ultra violet) and longer than 7 Aº (infra red) cannot be detected by the human eye; we cannot see them.

Sunday 13 January 2008 - I found some interesting information using the name rainbow...
Philadelphia Experiment / Project Rainbow

http://www.mysterieszone.com/philadelphia-experiment.htm

It's No Secret - Area 51 was Never Classified
By Peter W. Merlin
...In 1956, the U-2 prototype (known as Article 341) was modified for a series of anti-radar tests called Project RAINBOW in which Lockheed technicians attempted to reduce the RCS of the U-2 using radar-absorbent materials. Another U-2, Article 344, was strung with piano wire of varying dipole lengths between the nose and wings of the aircraft to reduce the radar signature. These methods created extra drag with a resultant penalty in range and altitude. The U-2 aircraft modified under Project RAINBOW were known as "dirty birds."
http://www.dreamlandresort.com/pete/no_secret.html

Philadelphia Experiment
http://www.crystalinks.com/phila.html

http://www.cyber-north.com/ufo/projects.html
List Of Alleged Secret Projects...

14 June, 1973
New Mexico. Code name: Fallen Rainbow; Project Rainbow, USAF.
Crashed UFO recovered with survivors. 385 American witnessed
the crash. All disappeared with their families. Anthrax
epidemic was blamed. Area cordoned off within 1/2 hour. DERO
activated. Some Americans near the crash site were shot by
paramilitary stormtroopers. Moved to Coonty Mountain on 15
June, 1973. Moved to Battle Mountain on 21 July, 1974 and
remains there.

Note: Project Rainbow originally was the code name of the
time/space experiments conducted aboard the USS Eldridge and
dubbed "The Philadelphia Experiment." We believe it continues
under that name.

Coonty Mountain, Utah

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Peace

Oxford English Dictionary Definition: Peace

peace /pi:s/ n. 1 a quiet; tranquility (needs peace to work well). b mental calm; serenity (peace of mind). 2 a (often attrib.) freedom from or the cessation of war (peace talks). b (esp. Peace) a treaty of peace between two States etc. at war. 3 freedom from civil disorder. 4 Eccl. a ritual liturgical greeting. at peace 1 in a state of friendliness. 2 serene. 3 euphem. dead. hold one’s peace keep silence. keep the peace prevent, or refrain from, strife. make one’s peace (often foll. by with) re-establish friendly relations. make peace bring about peace; reconcile. the peace (or the queen’s peace) peace exisitng within a realm; civil order. Peace Corps US an organization sending young people to work as volunteers in developing countries. peace divided money saved by the reduction of expenditure on weapons and defence after the relaxation of tension between Western and Soviet bloc countries in 1990. peace-offering 1 a propitiatory or conciliatory gift. 2 Bibl. an offering presented as a thanks-giving to God. peace-pipe a tobacco-pipe as a token of peace among US Indians. [ME f. AF pes, OF pais f. L pax pacis]


“All we are saying is give peace a chance!”
“Peace at home. Peace in the world.”
“Thou shall not kill!”

As the 1946 film “A Matter Of Life And Death” by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger states:
“Love, truth and friendship. Those qualities and those qualities alone can build a new world today and must build a better one tomorrow.”

That is our case and upon it we demand a verdict that nothing is impossible:
Peace must prevail!

Today’s children will be tommorrow’s leaders. Let’s present them with a symbol of peace; a catalyst for constructive dialogue; an invitation to open minds, to inspire imaginations and prepare an environment in which peaceful actions are moved to the forefront. Let Rainbow Bridge send out a global message to just give peace a chance and consider a more harmonious world for tomorrow’s generations.

Monday, January 02, 2006

Quotes of Support

Quotes of support in chronological order.......

With my great life experience from happiness through misery and ultimate incarceration in Concentration Camps to the very happy present....... I have the right to judge Ned's credibility, being still very young yet cultivating his talent as a very original painter. It took him 10 years of hard work in Turkey.
Now he will build his future very quickly and even the keepers of the Bosphorus Bridge might come back to him crying: "Ned please come back and paint the Rainbow on its underside."
I urge people to come to this unique one-man show. I have seen it three times in Coney Weston - it opened my eyes. WHAT A TALENT!!
Very good luck to you Ned.
And very wishes to you from Your old friend.
Witold Kasicki, aged 88, Veteran of 2nd World War

"The most obstinately provocative painter I know."
Brian Sewell, art critic The London Evening Standard June 2008

"He's the painting wizard."
Eloise Willcox, Barningham Primary School, aged 4

“I always appreciated your positive energy and effort towards a modern secular Turkey. The work you have done concerning Ataturk is fantastic.”
Ali Y. Koc, Koc Holding 25 March 2008

"Thank you very much for sending me the Ataturk’s Eyes T-shirt and images of Turkey. It was indeed very thoughtful of you. Your efforts to promote peace in the world through your exhibitions, is commendable and I wish you success with your endeavours. Best wishes and warm regards."
General Pervez Musharraf,
The President of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan 16 February 2006

"It’s a big, bright, ambitious, multi-coloured project. But, it seems the Turkish authorities aren’t quite ready for a British artist who wants to paint a rainbow from Europe to Asia on the underside of the Bosphorus Bridge. The impact would be dramatic, symbolic and unifying. Mr. Pamphilon clearly has an uphill task in a Muslim country. But he is determined to campaign for the project. If he succeeds he’ll certainly deserve his pot of gold."
Eastern Daily Press, Editorial 17 January 2006

“Dear Mr Pamphilon……..You contribute to the cause of our country – we sincerely need genuine people like your good-self. As for the Deniz Temiz Association, this could not have been a better subject for promotion and sparking the interest of the children.
God bless you and best personal regards.”
Rahmi Koc, Koc Holding 20 August 2005

“Gökkuşağı köprüsüne evet diyorum - I say YES to Rainbow Bridge!”
Gila Benmayor, Hurriyet 13 March 2005

“Many great countries illustrate their commitment to peace and unity through some visible or tangible gesture. Rainbow Bridge could easily become known to symbolize the birthplace of 21st century peace between East and West.”
Jamil Qureshi, leading UK ‘new-wave’ mentalist performer, 10 May 2004

“Dear Minister,
BASF believe the Rainbow Bridge project has the potential for a world wide profile. The image of Rainbow Bridge will carry a message of intercontinental peace and hold magical connotations for children and adults alike. We consider Turkey to be a most important location in the world today and understand the potential for Rainbow Bridge to highlight this country in a positive and constructive light.
BASF is ready to support the project by offering all the necessary paint and experience to realize this project. We hope this project will also receive your support.”
Dr. Gerhard W. Schwarz, BASF General Manager, Turkiye, 19.04.04

“I think it’s a great project and we’d like to support it anyway we can.”
Yasemin Dalkilic 12 March 2004

“Let’s get that bridge painted bro!”
Cem Ceminay, Number One 102.5 FM

“Recently the rainbow has become a reasonable symbol for all kinds of associations, parties and companies in the world The idea to paint the bridge is the idea of an inspired person. Since the bridge was built all we ever saw was a dark grey colour, so it must be better to paint it as a rainbow, which joins two continents I really believe in Ned’s project as dreams are the basis for huge constructions...
...Ned Pamphilon, a British painter who understands and appreciates the relevance of Ataturk, asked me: ‘What would you say if I said I wanted to paint the underneath of the Bosphorus Bridge?’
At first I thought it was a joke, but when I saw his photographs and visuals, I realized it could be a great project.”
Leyla Umar, Vatan 15.03.2004

“Ned Pamphilon: A foreigner belonging to Istanbul more than any of us....
...There is a voting procedure on his website and 30,000 people voted positively for the Rainbow Bridge.”
Cahit Akyol, Hürriyet, 06 March 2004

“Your rainbow bridge idea seems admirable and well worth the effort of offering support – imagine, if nothing else, the heads of tourists turning as the ferries pass under it, obediently and in unison.”
Brian Sewell, London Evening Standard art critic, 12 January 2004

"Look at this guy! None of us are thinking like he does. Why does it take a foreigner to come to our country and show us such a simple, intelligent idea to promote our country? It's an inspired idea and it will be an inspired decision for our authorities and our country to let this happen.”
Okan Bayulgen, Zaga, Kanal D, 13 December 2003

“Pamphilon’s bridge painting project is ridiculous, amazing and impossible. Perhaps that’s why he is so giddy about it. He is already searching for support for the project and mulling over how to surmount practical difficulties. Maybe within the next few years we’ll be seeing some young artist basking in the spotlight as we ferry across the Bosphorus. Who might that be? Pamphilon? Yeah!”
Ann Musser-Ercan, Turkish Daily News, 20 June 1999

“I would like to see the underside of Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge painted: Can you imagine? The longest painting in the world between two continents spanning the underneath of the Bogazici Bridge, from East to West and back again!”
Ned Pamphilon 1999

Sunday, January 01, 2006

The Bosphorus Bridge

The Bosphorus Bridge is one of two bridges connecting the two continents of Asia and Europe. It was constructed between 1970-74 with 7 panels spanning its underside - just waiting to be painted with colour! The other bridge, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (1988), has only 6 panels.

For some technical information click on The Bosphorus Bridge

Below are images of the Bosphorus Bridge being constructed...