DwijHomeAbout UsCommunityDavidContactUs all - resource
creator of site
© dwij 2001

Welcome to this overview of my creative projects, many of which were undertaken in different parts of the world where the pendulum has often swung between aboriginal villages, a sojourners Walkabout, and corporate/government boardrooms. This introduction will show some of my interests, which are presently funneled through the lens of this Internet Publication (Home Page), and the development/artistry of my 23-string Dwij Veenas. I look forward to working with you towards the success of a project you are launching.

                                                                                     Contact: dwijveena@gmail.com


Gratitude - The Infinite Journey: Vernal Equinox 2010 - Music Video:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hgPExvBOJ8

Awaken Tiamat: Summer Solstice 2010 - Music Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_VC0HPHfxg


Design and Styling
Entry level minimal structure low speed aircraft designed as a low cost, easy to assemble sports and recreation vehicle. This aircraft utilizes a parasail as its wing and is powered by a 35hp twostroke engine.

Gyro 2000, USA:
Concept, design and construction of Ikenga Autogyro's as kit assembled aircraft that are developed for utility applications in Third World countries, and for sports recreationflying in the US, Japan, and Europe.

Ikenga Motorcars, UK
:
Concept, design and prototype development of experimental high performance GT autos and micro sized inner city vehicles using gas and electric power and specialty electronics.

Complex-D, UK:
Acrylic products and furniture design. Highlighting a voice actuated and electronically driven furniture concept for computer applications that was featured in the Dr. Who television series.

Playtoy/Storage Modules:
Grant from the State of California to design playtoy modules and storage units for preschools Mendocino county.

23 foot Catamaran: USA
The Ikenga houseboat prototype, powered by a 50hp outboard motor, was designed and built in Mendocino, California in the mid-70s. It featured a nine by twelve cabin and outdoor deck. Designed to be marketed as a kit assembled boat using recycled matrials, the project was completed with the support of the Mendocino High School and Middle School directors.
.
Naran Hak, Korea:
The concept, ideation, and design of this two person, side by side, Autogyro was commissioned by a Korean multinational for assembly in Asia.  To be powered by a Arrow or Hirth aircooled engine, the airraft featured a prerotator for jump takeoff. Naran Hak was targeted towards worldwide distribution and sales as a kit built aircraft.

Solarwind, USA:
Living above the Earth, Solarwind is a proof-of-concept/design for a minimal structure, Suzuki powered, semi-rigid dirigible as a flying-living environment. It was to be constructed in Mendocino, California. The aircraft featured a twelve-foot diameter living space . . . fondly refered to as a yogi nest.

Zip, USA:
Concept and development of a minimal structure, friction drive, hand portable inner city vehicle. The Scootboard project featured both petrol and electric vehicles.

Dwij Veena, USA:
Design and development of twenty-two and twenty-three stringed fretless guitars that are inspired by the Sarode, an Afgani/northern Indian instrument made popular in the west by maestro Ali Akbar Khan.
The Talisman CD is my first recording of this instrument which you can hear on this link: dwij-music

Manatee, USA:
Manatee is a proof of concept minimal structure gas and electric trike for short range and inner city commuting. New technology now make the compressed air motor and state-of-the-art 250mpg gas engines power sources. Presently seeking start-up investment for prototype and feasibility studies.

Scootboard, USA:
Design and manufacturing of hand-portable gas and electric motorized scooters for inner city commuting. Created as a transportation solution to the 1980 NYC transit strike, and manufactured in Santa Fe, NM, Scootboard was featured in a 1984 issue of  The New Yorker magazine.

Children's Furniture, USA:
Concept and design of a series of specialty automobile-based furniture for national distribution by a US manufacturing group. The series featured styles/cars popular with both boys and girls.
Photography and Graphics
New York - London - Milan

Photography studios servicing clients in the United States and Europe including Celanese, British Airways, Trivera, Austin Reed, Vogue, Elle, Women's Own, Revlon, Westminister Bank ,ICI Fibers, Car & Driver, General Electric, and Jaguar Automobile Group.

Paintings: Inspirational Art
Water colors and pen and ink original art and limited editions. A powerful and insightful world of visionary art that opens the heart and mind to the mystical realms and other dimensions.

Internationally:
Advertising, graphics, and illustration for a wide array of clients including The New York Visitor and Convention Bureau, The Long Walk, International Women's Day, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, and Ford Motor Corp, UK.
Commissions includes graphic design and illustrations for books, magazines, poster art, CD art, and concept ideation and development for film and digital video projects. 

  

Creative Consultant:
Servicing businesses requiring renewed, and visually impactful corporate image, logo design, ad campaigns, television spots, and PSA's.
Working with a creative team that includes art, copy writing, and marketing specialists assures success in the targeted market.

Website Design:
Consulting, Ideation, and Development of websitesand online marketing. Our staff will link you with a number of talented designers who have participated in www.dwij.org and developed beautiful and impactful marketing tools.

  

  

Internet Publication:
www.dwij.orgThe concept for this/our Internet magazine is an outgrowth of the two-day Sarasota 2K millennium presentation in December of 1999. The publication is my vision/intention to launch an educational networking website that can serve people of all ages —in many cultures— with topics of importance on a wide variety of subjects.

The concept was launched in 2000 by Dvid Gittens and has been sustained over the years by volunteers and through donations by many in the community.

  

 

Community Projects

click image for gallery

"Only Hearts:"
An art/peace project featuring drawings and wisdom-words of over three thousand Sarasota, Florida students. This project is being used by educators around the world and can be downloaded into the classroom.

United Nations:
Commission to design and build the General Assembly stage set for the United Nations 50th anniversary celebration. Manhattan, NY
   

Sarasota 2K:
Concept, design and production of two day community healing arts, visual arts and performance arts festival which celebrated the millennium from a view point of peace making, ritual and ceremony. Sarasota, FL


Smithsonian/NASM:

Designer/ficilitator: Interactive creativity seminar for D.C. area youngsters presented at the Garber Facility of the National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC

Interfaith Center:
Designing, scoring and production of the Gift of Spring Easter performance presentation. Manhattan, NY

UNICEF Grant:
Concept, design and construction of a solar heated community shower system in a Mayan village on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, CA

Selby Botanical Gardens:
Designer, producer, of the Selby Garden's Winter Solstice presentation feature at their Lights in Bloom Christmas holiday celebration.

The Giving Tree:
Designer and producer of a two day community arts, performance, and healing arts festival. Albuquerque, NM

Government Grant:
Design and implementation of a fund raising project for Mayan schools in Mexico. Funded by the Government of Yucatan.

Institute of Noetic Sciences:
Design, presentation and facilitator of a Creativity Workshop for the Florida national conference.

Opening Meditation and Presencing with Tibetan Bowls and the debut of Dwij Veena; a 22-string fretless guitar design.

Zia Wings:
Design of Autogyro flight training and flight safety seminars for new and seasoned gyroplane pilots. Albuquerque and Espanola, NM

Smithsonian/Lemelson Center: Designer and facilitator of a hands on creativity enhancement workshop for middle school teachers at the National Museum of American History. Washington, DC

Drum Song:
Research project: Drumming and rhythm for seniors and advanced Alzheimer's patients. Sarasota, FL

Harvest of Gratitude:
Design/production of a Multi-Cultural, autumn equinox, community presentation for all ages at the Players Theatre. Featuring northern Indian guitar master Debashish Bhattacharya. Sarasota, FL.

Seamen's Institute:
Creation, design and presentation of this organizations holiday crafts and performance festival. Manhattan, NY

World Game Presentation:
Member of steering committee that introduced and facilitated R. Buckminster Fuller's World Game to the Santa Fe, NM community.

Sarasota March for Obama/Biden:
Designer and coordinator of promotionals and advertising, and steering committee member. 

    

Santa Fe New Mexico Children's Museum:

Concept, design and construction of the Donors Mural for the Santa Fe, NM Children's Museum which featured motorized, time phased, components.

Nassau Guardian Newspaper:
Redesign of the Guardian newspaper supplement and the creation of a feature article on playground development and its projected impact on Bahamian school children. Nassau, Bahamas

The Whale School:
Environmental playground design and construction for an alternative school. Funded in part by Georgia Pacific Corporation. Albion, CA.

Images & Voices of Hope:
Steering committe member and presenter of this organizations first presentation in Sarasota, Florida.

The I Am Center:
Design, production, and presentation of Talisman, an autumn equinox concert featuring instrumentals, poetry, and vocals.
Awards and Distinctions

Distinction: Ikenga MKlll
1969 - Ikenga MK III GT motorcar featured on BBCs Tomorrow's World television program.

1969 - Debut of the Ikenga MK III GT, McLaren based, motorcar at the Italian International Motor Show in Turin, Italy

   

1970 - Ikenga MKIII - The featured automobile design at the Pico Troberg International Motor Show in Stockholm, Sweden.

Grant - Artist in Residence:
1970 - Foundation Karolyi
Vence, France

Award: Ikenga 530Z
1988 - Grand Champion Rotorcraft trophy at the 1988 Albuquerque International Air Show in Albuquerque, NM

1988 - Best New Design in Rotorcraft award at the 1988 - PRA International Rotorcraft Convention. Middletown, OH

1988 - Reserve Grand Champion Rotorcraft trophy at the 1988 EAA, Osh Kosh, International Air Convention. Osh Kosh, WI

Award: Cygnus 21T
1989 - Grand Champion Rotorcraft, trophy at the Albuquerque International AirShow, New Mexico

Award: Cygnus 21TX
1990 - Grand Champion Rotorcraft, trophy at the Albuquerque International AirShow, New Mexico

Distinction: Cygnus 21P1
Debut: Sumitomo Heavy Industries commissioned the Ikenga, pusher, autogiro for the Sky Sports Japan Airshow at Ikegawa, Japan. - 1989

Presentation: Mitsiu. LTD.
Making Dreams Real: An experential presentation and workshop presented for researchers at the Mitsui Advanced Technology Center in Chiba, Japan.

Exhibit: Ikenga MKlll
McLaren based, 170mph GT. Permanent Collection of Manx Automotive Museum in England. Featured at the 1969 Turin International Motor Show and in 1970 at the Swedish Motor Show in Stockholm.

Exhibit: Ikenga 530Z
Permanent Collection of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Washington, DC. Winner of multiple awards that include the 1980 Reserve Grand Champion at the Osh Kosh International Air convention and the Best New Design in Rotary Wing Aircraft award at the PRA National Convention.

Exhibit: Ikenga Cygnus 21P2
Exhibited at the G-WIZ Sciene and Tehnology Museum in Sarasota, Florida since 2004, Cygnus21P2 is one of two ships commissioned by Sumitomo Heavy Industries of Japan.

Exhibit:Ikenga EZ Bird
A recreational aircraft featured at the Santa Fe, Children's Museum, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Award: D.O.G
Dynamic Oscillating Gizmo: Codesigner and team member of Santa Fe, New Mexico's first annual Kinetic Sculpture Race winner.

Exhibit: Kinetic Donors Mural. Permanent exhibit of the Santa Fe Children's Museum. Santa Fe, NM

Motion Picture: Ikenga MKll
Featured in a film produced and directed by Mike Margets and Malcolm Hart. Constructed in London, 1968.

Exhibit:
Scootboard
Hand portable transportation invented during the New York City transit strike and featured in the New Yorker magazine, and the Black Inventors Museum
.

Distinction:
Recipient of the Cherokee Golden Eagle Feather for community service. Sarasota, FL

Distinction:
Consultant to the Lemelson Center of Invention and Innovation at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC

Distinction:
State of Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator.

Distinction:
Ordained Priest
The Order of Melchizedek

Distinction:
Recipient of the Aviation Pioneer plaque at the International Conference on the Autogiro, Hofstra University, April, 2003.
Aircraft Only Heart Gallery