Fear&Loss - Industrial Karoo group exhibition

This is the dead land
This is cactus land
Here the stone images
Are raised, here they receive
The supplication of a dead man’s hand
Under the twinkle of a fading star.

Is it like this
In death’s other kingdom
Waking alone
At the hour when we are
Trembling with tenderness
Lips that would kiss
Form prayers to broken stone.

- From The Hollow Men, T.S. Eliot 1925

A word by the curator

The installation Fear&Loss speaks of the possible environmental damage should the Dutch oil giant Shell be granted an exploration license to drill for shale gas in the Groot Karoo – the place of my home, community and livelihood.  

Fracking - or hydraulic fracturing - involves pumping toxic chemicals and fluids under high pressure five km deep into the earth’s core. This causes the seams in the layers of sediment to break apart for gas and oil extraction. Large volumes of water are needed for this and these fluids and chemicals cannot be recycled and remain in the earth, causing the fear of contamination of the underground water supply. In the Karoo, this is drawn from its reservoir of interconnected aquifers through the use of boreholes and springs (http://www.greenpeace.
org). 

My work has evolved out of my own deep concern and passion for this widely-ignored part of our country. Despite larger questions that arise, the work is also intensely personal since it addresses a situation that will impact dramatically on me, my family, and community. As such, my intention is that the work may raise awareness in its creation of a specific and intimate
installation space. 

Fear and Loss focuses on the impact of global capitalism and consumerism on individuals and small communities. Eliot’s poem, The Waste Land (1922) reveals the emotional and physical scars and damage left by World War I and expresses the unspoken wish that this type of tragedy will not be repeated. But Fear&Loss represents the probability that man-made disasters will. Creative works, such as the poem The Waste Land, or the visual art installation Fear&Loss, remain tools for communication, to reach out beyond our immediate realm of understanding and lay bare our hope for humanity.

- Katie Barnard du Toit 

 

WWF-SASSI Limited Linefish Exhibition

Moss Painting by Usha Seejarim

As a contribution to Mandela week Usha Seejarim created a moss painting at St James school in Belgravia.
In response to the school's theme of growth, she created a growing artwork of the yoga “tree pose” on one of the school's white walls. In the artist's words:

"...it alludes to our innate connection to the environment as human beings that can literally grow when nurtured. St James is a value based school where meditation, stillness and respect are key practices that are built into the curriculum. As such, this image and the concept of a growing artwork are completely apt for this environment. In the last 2 weeks it has been amazing to see the moss beginning to develop, despite the severe cold."

See more of her work at www.ushaseejarim.com

Say Goodbye to Plastic Bags

In Manchester, this environmental performance is planned for 3 July - International Plastic Bag Free Day. We could do something similar in South Africa, can't we?

Addition (28 July 2014):

On local soil, in Greyton and Montagu:

Thank you, Jurgen from Simonskloof Mountain Retreat for sharing this poster!

Exhibition: WILD & STILL - expressions of the landscape by Janet Botes

Of bird and beast

Janet Botes

Bone, wood, paint, wire and tequila bottle tops

37 x 15 x 16 cm

2014

 

Gogga II (left)

Janet Botes

Photo-transfer, paint, ink, rock and wood on wooden block

31.5 x 11 x 3.5 cm

2014

Elephant Beetle (Megasoma elephas) are part of the Scarabaeidae family and the subfamily Dynastinae. They are classified with the Neotropical rhinoceros beetles.

Tread softly, 

walk carefully

for there are life

all around us

Tread softly

consciously

there are creatures

here among us

Timber (right)

Janet Botes

Wood, rusted nails, paint, filler, varnish

39 x 17.5 x 15.5 cm

2014

Memoirs

Janet Botes

natural materials and collage on paper

20.5 x 14.5 cm

2014

These small collections from the landscape and remnants of human-made items capture moments or memories from being outside - whether walking in the street or walking in the mountain.

Primal sense

Janet Botes

Found bone, carved wood, and mixed media on wood

21 x 18 x 6 cm

2014

The natural softness or brittleness, but also hardness and resilience of bone and wood are accentuated, specifically with the textured background and the simplicity of this piece. On another level, however, the three carved twigs represent the three wise men or astrologers and the jaw bone to the work of medicine men or shamans - alluding to the sacred and primal quality of nature and our place within it.

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The sculptures (Of Bird and Beast and Timber) aim to capture a juxtaposition of the human need to make things lasting, permanent and unchanging, in contrast or opposition to the flux and transience in nature where the rhythms, seasons and cycles of growth and decay seem fleeting, even though it is as timeless as the mountains. It does this through the use of organic as well as inorganic materials - natural vs. synthetic, man-made. It symbolises the relationship between humans and animals, as well as humans and the landscape. 

Process Photos

as part of the preparation for the exhibition, showing material use:

More information about this exhibition