BACK TO THE GARDEN

BACK 
TO THE 
GARDEN

BACK 
TO THE 
GARDEN

ABOUT

The Back to the Garden Initiative was a multi-faceted nuclear non-proliferation campaign in 2005, commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The campaign was held in coordination with the United Nations who were hosting the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference for their 193 Member Nations. The initiative was hosted by Tadatoshi Akiba, the Mayor of Hiroshima and the President of Mayors for Peace, which represents over 7,800 Mayors around the world from 163 countries. The Back to the Garden Initiative raised funds and awareness for Nihon Hidankyo, the organizations that represents the “Hibakusha,” the living witnesses/survivors of the 1945 Atomic bombings.
ABOUT

The Back to the Garden Initiative created by David Clark Cause was a multi-faceted nuclear non-proliferation campaign in 2005, commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The campaign was held in coordination with the United Nations who were hosting the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference for their 193 Member Nations. The initiative was hosted by Tadatoshi Akiba, the Mayor of Hiroshima and the President of Mayors for Peace, which represents over 7,800 Mayors around the world from 163 countries. The Back to the Garden Initiative raised funds and awareness for Nihon Hidankyo, the organizations that represents the “Hibakusha,” the living witnesses/survivors of the 1945 Atomic bombings.
ABOUT

The Back to the Garden Initiative was a multi-faceted nuclear non-proliferation campaign in 2005, commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The campaign was held in coordination with the United Nations who were hosting the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference for their 193 Member Nations. The initiative was hosted by Tadatoshi Akiba, the Mayor of Hiroshima and the President of Mayors for Peace, which represents over 7,800 Mayors around the world from 163 countries. The Back to the Garden Initiative raised funds and awareness for Nihon Hidankyo, the organizations that represents the “Hibakusha,” the living witnesses/survivors of the 1945 Atomic bombings.
THE PROJECT

As part of the Back to the Garden Initiative, David Clark secured Yoko Ono to deliver a poignant address before the United Nations General Assembly—a powerful moment, given Ono’s own family fled Japan in the wake of the atomic bombings in 1945. Clark also garnered the support of Michael Douglas, a longtime advocate for nuclear disarmament, and Joni Mitchell, who contributed the lyric “Back to the Garden” from her iconic song “Woodstock” to inspire the campaign.

The evening before Ono’s speech, Christie’s Auction House hosted a benefit art auction under the same banner, “Back to the Garden.” Co-hosted by Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba of Hiroshima and David Clark, the event featured works from over 50 artists, including Yoko Ono, Joni Mitchell, Jeff Koons, Tom Otterness, Kiki Smith, Richard Serra, Julian LaVerdiere, and Takashi Murakami.

Proceeds from the auction were directed to Nihon Hidankyo, Japan’s largest organization representing the 300,000 surviving Hibakusha, who bore witness to the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As recipient of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, Nihon Hidankyo stands as a global voice against nuclear proliferation, channeling the resilience and testimony of atomic bomb survivors into a powerful call for peace.
THE PROJECT

As part of the Back to the Garden Initiative, Clark secured Yoko Ono to address the General Assembly of the United Nations. This was noteworthy, as Yoko and her family fled Japan following the atomic bombings in 1945. In addition, Clark secured the support of Michael Douglas, a long-time advocate for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, along with Joni Mitchell who lent her lyric “Back to the Garden” from her iconic “Woodstock” song to the campaign.

The day before Yoko Ono’s “Back to the Garden” address to the General Assembly, Christie’s Auction House held a benefit art auction of the same name, which was hosted by Mayor Akiba and David Clark. The event featured over 50 visual artists, including Yoko Ono, Joni Mitchell, Jeff Koons, Tom Otterness, Kiki Smith, Richard Serra, Julian LaVerdiere and Takashi Murakami.

All proceeds of the Christie’s art auction benefited Nihon Hidankyo, the largest organization of Atomic bomb survivors and a nominee for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize. The organization based in Japan, represented the 300,000 living survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 
THE PROJECT

As part of the Back to the Garden Initiative, Clark secured Yoko Ono to address the General Assembly of the United Nations. This was noteworthy, as Yoko and her family fled Japan following the atomic bombings in 1945. In addition, Clark secured the support of Michael Douglas, a long-time advocate for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, along with Joni Mitchell who lent her lyric “Back to the Garden” from her iconic “Woodstock” song to the campaign.

The day before Yoko Ono’s “Back to the Garden” address to the General Assembly, Christie’s Auction House held a benefit art auction of the same name, which was hosted by Mayor Akiba and David Clark. The event featured over 50 visual artists, including Yoko Ono, Joni Mitchell, Jeff Koons, Tom Otterness, Kiki Smith, Richard Serra, Julian LaVerdiere and Takashi Murakami.

All proceeds of the Christie’s art auction benefited Nihon Hidankyo, the largest organization of Atomic bomb survivors and a nominee for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize. The organization based in Japan, represented the 300,000 living survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 
YOKO ONO ADDRESSES
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
VIEW YOKO ONO'S SPEECH
YOKO ONO ADDRESSES
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
VIEW YOKO ONO'S SPEECH
YOKO ONO ADDRESSES
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
VIEW YOKO ONO'S SPEECH
THE ORIGIN

In 2005, Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba entrusted David Clark with a profound mission: to create a high-profile initiative commemorating the 60th anniversary of Hiroshima’s atomic bombing and to elevate the cause of disarmament during that year’s Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nations. Honored by the request, Clark envisioned a campaign that would champion nuclear non-proliferation through a deeply human lens, centering on the Hibakusha, the living witnesses to the atomic devastation.

As he searched for a name, Clark found himself captivated by the line “Back to the Garden” from Joni Mitchell’s emblematic song “Woodstock,” evoking a return to a world untouched by nuclear weapons. When he reached out to Mitchell for permission to use the lyric, she not only agreed but offered to create a painting specifically for the campaign’s art auction at Christie’s.

In his discussions with Mayor Akiba, Clark learned of the rare opportunity to address the United Nations General Assembly during the Review Conference. Recognizing the significance of including a voice shaped by both personal loss and enduring peace advocacy, he invited Yoko Ono—whose family fled Japan in the aftermath of the bombings—to deliver an address on behalf of the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Hibakusha. Ono graciously accepted, poised to represent those who continue to bear witness to the urgent call for global peace.
“I am delighted to have David Clark’s expertise in creating and producing the “Back to the Garden” art exhibition with Christie’s Auction House the day before the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nation, and for securing Yoko Ono to speak in the General Assembly on our behalf.”

– Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba
THE ORIGIN

In 2005, Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba met with David Clark to ask him to create a high profile initiative to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the atomic bombing of his city and promote disarmament during the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference being held at the United Nations that year. Honored by the request, Clark set out to create a campaign that would advocate for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Understanding that the issue would be challenging to promote, Clark sought to humanize the issue further by including the “Hibakusha,” the living witness survivors of the atomic bombings.

In searching for a campaign name, Clark was struck by the chorus “Back to the Garden” which is featured in Joni Mitchell’s iconic song “Woodstock.” The concept of going back to a time before nuclear weapons existed, intrigued Clark. In an effort to secure the lyric for the campaign, Clark reached out to Joni Mitchell, who responded immediately that not only could he use the lyric for the campaign, but she would also create a painting for the Christie’s “Back to the Garden” art-auction.

Following the meeting with Mayor Akiba, Clark learned that in addition to the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there were only a few coveted speaking slots to address the UN General Assembly during the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference. Understanding that long-time peace advocate Yoko Ono and her family fled Japan following the atomic bombings, Clark approached her with the opportunity to address the UN General Assembly for the first time, on behalf of the Mayors, and the living witness survivors of the atomic bombings. Yoko graciously agreed.
“I am delighted to have David Clark’s expertise in creating and producing the “Back to the Garden” art exhibition with Christie’s Auction House the day before the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nation, and for securing Yoko Ono to speak in the General Assembly on our behalf.”

– Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba
THE ORIGIN

In 2005, Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba met with David Clark to ask him to create a high profile initiative to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the atomic bombing of his city and promote disarmament during the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference being held at the United Nations that year. Honored by the request, Clark set out to create a campaign that would advocate for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Understanding that the issue would be challenging to promote, Clark sought to humanize the issue further by including the “Hibakusha,” the living witness survivors of the atomic bombings.

In searching for a campaign name, Clark was struck by the chorus “Back to the Garden” which is featured in Joni Mitchell’s iconic song “Woodstock.” The concept of going back to a time before nuclear weapons existed, intrigued Clark. In an effort to secure the lyric for the campaign, Clark reached out to Joni Mitchell, who responded immediately that not only could he use the lyric for the campaign, but she would also create a painting for the Christie’s “Back to the Garden” art-auction.

Following the meeting with Mayor Akiba, Clark learned that in addition to the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there were only a few coveted speaking slots to address the UN General Assembly during the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference. Understanding that long-time peace advocate Yoko Ono and her family fled Japan following the atomic bombings, Clark approached her with the opportunity to address the UN General Assembly for the first time, on behalf of the Mayors, and the living witness survivors of the atomic bombings. Yoko graciously agreed.
“I am delighted to have David Clark’s expertise in creating and producing the “Back to the Garden” art exhibition with Christie’s Auction House the day before the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nation, and for securing Yoko Ono to speak in the General Assembly on our behalf.”

– Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba
MAYORS FOR PEACE

Mayors for Peace, a coalition representing over 7,800 mayors across 163 countries, stands as a global force for unity, rallying cities worldwide behind the vision of a nuclear-free future. Through its Program to Promote the Solidarity of Cities toward the Total Abolition of Nuclear Weapons, the organization builds bridges of cooperation and support among its members, fostering a collective resolve for disarmament. Their 2020 Vision Campaign infused fresh energy into this mission, inspiring peace advocates across the globe and inviting diverse new voices to join this resolutely non-partisan effort toward a world without nuclear arms.
MAYORS FOR PEACE

The Mayors for Peace, which is represented by over 7,800 Mayors from 163 countries, builds solidarity and facilitates coordination among the cities that support the Program to Promote the Solidarity of Cities toward the Total Abolition of Nuclear Weapons. The 2020 Vision Campaign is providing renewed inspiration to peace activists everywhere and is reaching out to involve new constituencies in this non-partisan effort.
MAYORS FOR PEACE

The Mayors for Peace, which is represented by over 7,800 Mayors from 163 countries, builds solidarity and facilitates coordination among the cities that support the Program to Promote the Solidarity of Cities toward the Total Abolition of Nuclear Weapons. The 2020 Vision Campaign is providing renewed inspiration to peace activists everywhere and is reaching out to involve new constituencies in this non-partisan effort.
NIHON HIDANKYO

Nihon Hidankyo represents the voices of the Hibakusha – the living witnesses to the atomic bombings. Founded in 1956 by survivors themselves, the organization has become a cornerstone of the global nuclear abolition movement, advocating tirelessly for disarmament. Members of Nihon Hidankyo have borne powerful testimony at United Nations sessions, speaking to the urgency of banning nuclear tests and halting proliferation. 

In 2024, their dedication was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded “for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating, through witness testimony, that nuclear weapons must never be used again.”
NIHON HIDANKYO

The Nihon Hidankyo was nominated for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize. They represent the 300,000 living witness/survivors (or Hibakusha). Its officers and members are all atomic bomb survivors. Founded in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo have helped build the worldwide nuclear abolition movement and have testified at numerous United Nations sessions on nuclear test bans, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.
NIHON HIDANKYO

The Nihon Hidankyo was nominated for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize. They represent the 300,000 living witness/survivors (or Hibakusha). Its officers and members are all atomic bomb survivors. Founded in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo have helped build the worldwide nuclear abolition movement and have testified at numerous United Nations sessions on nuclear test bans, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

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