Land Art by Annie le Roux

I very recently became aware of the work of Anni le Roux, a very inspiring and nature-connected artist based in Plettenberg Bay - which is where I'll get the chance to meet her in person during the Site_Specific Land Art Biennale next month! 

I fell in love with the simplicity in Annie's work. She creates simple forms, primarily circular shapes, from natural materials found in the landscape, and each seems to echo the essence of the landscape but also the universe - atoms in space, a flare of energy, each unique and dynamic. Simple. Beautiful. Authentic.

"Annie le Roux’s work echoes the simplicity of natural cells. Using natural shapes and textures found on site in discrete subtle colour combinations, it is reminiscent of pre-historic mark making and enigmatic rock art of the Khoi-San. Mother Earth and her effect on the human psyche is the source of Annie’s inspiration. She sees Nature as her mentor, muse and healer."

“It is only in the primordial landscape of the wild where silence, smells, wind, tides, sun, dust and rain still has a profound transcendent and palpable impact on our awareness and state of being. This consciousness in turn accentuates our vulnerability, nurtures our humility, and fosters the tender sense of our human limitations. It is from this fragile space where I am inspired to start my work” - Annie le Roux

To see more of her work, go to www.annieleroux.co.za

Site_Specific LAND ART 2013

Join us! Viewing of Land Art is free!

This year’s Site_Specific International Land Art Biennale (every two years) will take place 10 - 17 August 2013 on the beaches of Plettenberg Bay

Launch Event

On Sunday 11 August, Strijdom van der Merwe’s permanent work in the Eden to Addo Land Art Route will be unveiled. The work “Calling the Herd” is a lovely interactive piece that symbolically calls the last remaining wild elephants in the Eden forest to once again tread the ancient migration routes and join their family in the Addo National Park. Everyone is welcome to join us at 10:30 at the intersection of the R339 and the R340 where the work will be unveiled, and then to travel with us to Aartmoeders (the stone art work) at Kranshoek. The Kranshoek Griqua community will be laying on a traditional basaar with food and music. Come and enjoy a special day with the invited artists from Korea, Germany and South Africa!

Land Artists at work and Public Lectures
Tuesday 13 August to Thursday 15 August

All Land Art Enthusiasts are invited to witness the art making processes on the beaches of PLETT! and to join the artists in the evenings at the Beacon Island Resort for the free public lectures where the invited artists will discuss their work.

Visit sitespecific.org.za to browse through the exciting workshops that are on offer: Beach Calligraphy, Land Art Photography and a fully catered Eco-Art walk from Nature's Valley to Keurboomstrand. You too can play an ACTIVE part in making this Biennale the best, and PLETT THE LAND ART DESTINATION in Africa!

Unveiling of Site_Specific work

Friday 15 August - Art work will be ready for viewing from 12:00 onwards. On Friday evening there will be a Land Art Party at the Beacon Island Resort. Buy your ticket for the party at the Beacon Island Resort Reception, and join the artists in this celebration of Land Art!

For the full programme and more info, go to www.sitespecific.org.za.

New work by Strijdom van der Merwe

Look at these beautiful works by Strijdom van der Merwe, created during two international art festivals during July! Make sure to see his work and visit Plettenberg Bay during our own land art biennale here in South Africa - Site_Specific is happening 10-17 August on the Plettenberg Bay beaches! For more information go to www.sitespecfici.org.za.

Fragile Interventions for the exhibition SWIM 
made on site as part of the Malta Arts Festival 
July 2013, Strijdom van der Merwe

Art works done in the landscape on site as Festival Artist for the Norsk Fjell Festival.
Andelsnes. Norway July 2013, Strijdom van der Merwe

Experiences as a land artist by Simon Max Bannister

A presentation about adventures as a land artist and how it compels you to experience the ecology of place. 

Date: Tuesday 16 July 2013
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Place: Phakalane – centre for living ritual, 12 Hunters Way, Hout Bay
Cost: By donation
RSVP: Claudia 083 663 7401 or info@phakalane.com



















Recent Work: "Compression" Afrika Burn 2013 (image by JonX Pillemar)

Simon Max Bannister has been consistently creating sculptural artworks that live in the outdoors. Be it earth, stone, leaf, water, light, shadow and even plastic, he grasps the energy and moulds it into a necessary and intriguing artistic dialogue. It is ultimately the creative processes of nature that inspire his creative endeavours. He has participated in events such as Site_Specific, Afrika Burns, Infecting the City and the National Arts Festival. While keeping a diversity in materials, his style is unique and his passionate creativity is in tune with the climate of our challenging times. He is currently based at Londolozi Game Reserve as artist in residence.

http://www.simonmaxbannister.com/

Beautiful new work by Strijdom van der Merwe

"Fragile Interventions' Art Works by Strijdom van der Merwe for the exhibition SWIM as part of the Malta Festival of Arts 1 - 30 July 2013

'Diaspora' Art work by Strijdom van der Merwe for the city of Rovaniemi, Finland as part of the X-Border Art Biennale 2013.

"The inspiration for this work come from the geological phenomenon where rocks move in long tracks along a smooth valley floor without human intervention. Crossing borders and place themselves in a new environment the same as people would scattered away from an established or ancestral homeland and settle in more than one location.

On each of these stones words are installed that reflect diaspora, movement crossing migration etc. The inspiration for these words come from the philosopher Aristotle who's school of thinkers where known as Peripatetic. This school was known for teaching across all borders and carry the message of knowledge where ever they went. Not bound to one specific place.

As solid and as heavy as rocks can be they can move from one place to another place and across borders as the ice age have also carry large boulders across the borders of continents and deposit them in different places. 

Although we as humans like to draw borders with in which we feel safe to operate. Nature know no borders and will carry thoughts and ideas to where ever it is needed or been deposit."

- Strijdom van der Merwe 

www.strijdom.co.za

Don't miss the unveiling of Strijdom van der Merwe's second work along the Eden to Addo Land Art Route, 'Calling the Herd' at the opening ceremony for the second Site_Specific Land Art Biennale in Plettenberg Bay, on 11 August 2013. For more info, keep an eye on sitespecific.org.za/land-art-biennale-2013/timetable  (the time table is updated regularly as the events and time details of the programme is confirmed)