Cool Capital | Pretoria Environmental Art Project

Leon Nigrini's enclosure projects on the Tina Skukan Gallery grounds, where Site_Specific / Cool Capital held their first Nature Art Workshop to launch the Environmental Art Project.

Izanne Wiid, Sybrand Wiechers, Jessie Doucha and Riana Willemse are activating a clean up project at the experimental farm in Soutpansberg road which has recently been vacated by the Agricultural Research Council. Come along on 27 July at 12h00, and be part of this pro-active project.

Get involved!

28 JUNE - 28 AUGUST 2014
Artists and nature lovers are invited to activate environmental art projects around the city and its metropolitan areas as individuals or in collaboration with other artists/ nature lovers/ interested parties.

Read about Cool Capital on the Site_Specific website

Strijdom van der Merwe Kyknet onderhoud

Monthly Cape Land Art session - JUNE:Tokai

For the past three months, artists have been meeting once a month in a different location close to Cape Town. For the June gathering 10 artists met in Tokai Forest to create temporary site-specific pieces. 

June Artists:

Janet Botes, Janet Ranson, Cheryl Traub Adler, Andrew van der Merwe, Andrée Bonthuys, Robert Bolus, Chris Lochner, Nina Faasen and Klara-Marie Den Heijer

Chris Lochner used large, elongated pieces of bark (which he mostly had to create through breaking the bark into these tall figures), stuck into the bark - part of the work submerged in the stream.

One of the works that Andrée Bonthuys created, using flowers and thorns, on a tree stump.

Janet Ranson explains her process and thinking behind her quirky dominoes - bringing a playful element into the roadbuilding activities next to the plantations, and using manmade and natural materials together effectively.

Circle in a fence, created from fern leaves by Janet Ranson.

Wattle branches were used to create these arches, by Nina Faasen and Klara-Marie Den Heijer

Andrew van Merwe, known for his beach calligraphy, wrote 'cliché's' onto an abandoned concrete pillar with mud, using his forefinger as brush or pen. Here he shows and explains to his fellow artists how he had to adapt the direction of the strokes that form his letters to suit this new 'medium'.

To receive updates about the land art gatherings, subscribe to the mailing list at bit.ly/capelandart or join the Facebook page facebook.com/capelandart

Janet Ranson, Witsands, Western Cape

Hokusai's Wave by Janet Ranson, on Witsands Beach during the second land art gathering organized for 18 May 2014, by Site_Specific artists in the Western Cape.

More about Janet's work: janetranson.withtank.com

Facebook page for the land art gatherings: www.facebook.com/capelandart

More about Site_Specific: www.sitespecific.org.za

Land Art Walk: Hermanus

On the southern coastline of South Africa, a diverse landscape of natural beauty awaits. Join a guided ecological and creative experience over three days.

In conjunction with the Hermanus Fynarts Festival
 

Artist, Simon Max Bannister along with Galeo Saintz have envisioned an exciting methodology of walking and creating. Traversing different biomes, participant are introduced and coached in the practice of land art. This sensitive and fascinating way of engaging with nature brings insight into the ecological processes at work and inspires new ways of seeing. Participants are picked up in the mornings and taken to different beautiful areas around Hermanus. The walking is easy and achievable for all ages.

13 June: Estuary and Beach (next to Piet se Bos).

Spend a day bare feet in the warm water learning about the delicate ecology of the Estuary. Interpret a bird's life by nest making while reflecting on the ever shifting waters of this dynamic biome. The beach beckons and beholds the treasures of the ocean, learn to read the cryptic signs of currents and collaborate in their story telling. Creating ephemeral sculpture with site specific materials we sensitively co create with the environment. This is a very easy walk of not more than 5 km, tea and lunch provided, 8h30 to 17h00.

14 June: Milkwood coastal forest (inside Piet se Bos Park). 

In the dappled light of this meandering coastal forest, we will tangibly experience how the branches have created this cathedral and then go on to co-create with them. Learn about the techniques of making ephemeral eco-conscious land art while creating works of your own. This free flowing yet structured guided experience will enhance your ways of seeing nature and appreciating it. We will then creatively photograph our creations to make stunning images. This is a very easy walk of not more than 5 km, tea and lunch provided, 8h30 to 17h00.

15 June: Along the Rocky Coastline from Piet se Bos to the Harbour.

The rocky coastline offers the dramatic scenery of Hermanus' cliffs to accompany the making of land art. Walking the meandering pathway as it twists and turn through the landscape we will discover coves and outcrops that become the canvas of our ephemeral art works. By picking up the story of the coastline's treasures we draw from our natural instinct to create with stones, driftwood and shells. This is a very easy walk of not more than7 km, tea and lunch provided, 8h30 to 17h00. All creations will be beautifully photographed and available for download.

Date: Sunday 15 June at 18:00

Tickets R60  Scholars R30  Early Bird R50

Venue: Windsor Hotel (Hermanus Central)

Simon will do a presentation of the artworks created by festival-goers on three days of walking in three different biomes within 5km of Hermanus. Simon will also talk about his experiences and approach to Land Art.

Dates: 13, 14 and 15 June  from 08:30 - 16:00 Tickets R2000 per day includes lunch and transport Meeting place: Info Kiosk, Old Harbour  PLEASE SHARE THIS INVITATION WITH THOSE THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED   If you would like to find out more and walk with us as we explore the  interactive capacity land art has to increase our understanding of nature,  ecology and the creative spirit, then please get in contact.  simonmaxb@gmail.com Exploring Land Art Video Explanation www.simonmaxbannister.com/

Copyright © 2014 Simon Max Bannister, All rights reserved.

Andrew van der Merwe, Witsands, Western Cape

Sand calligraphy by Andrew van der Merwe, on Witsands Beach during the second land art gathering organized for 18 May 2014, by Site_Specific artists in the Western Cape.

"'n hand vol gruis", Andrew van der Merwe, Witsands Beach, 2014

"scorn this meaningless play", Andrew van der Merwe, Witsands Beach, 2014

More of Andrew's work: www.behance.net/beachscriber

Facebook page for the land art gatherings: www.facebook.com/capelandart

More about Site_Specific: www.sitespecific.org.za

We are part of nature

Lynn Bennett- Mackenzie during GNAP Korea 2014.

"We are part of nature, but too often we forget, assuming our superiority, aiming to control and manipulate nature for our own ends. Working in the natural environment with the materials that are provided there brings our attention to the potential and versatility of what is right in front of us. It raises awareness, makes you look at the world differently and consider how we treat the environments which we inhabit. New landscapes bring new perspectives, cultural differences, but essentially we are one living organism which should be awarded more respect."

Join the conversation with Site_Specific's Anni Snyman who participated in the GLOBAL NOMADIC ART PROJECT (GNAP) 2014 presented by YATOOi, South Korea.

Join the Conversation! Add your questions online before 12 May 2014

Anni Snyman (co-ordinator of Site_Specific) has just arrived back from South Korea after a three week Nature Art tour as part of the Global Nomadic Art Project (GNAP) which culminated in an exhibition on the 1st of May 2014, Geumgang Nature Art Centre.

Twenty nine artists, critics, and supporting staff travelled around the southern parts of Korea, working in the field using natural materials and their bodies as they went. The trip was a pilot project for similar ventures in Asia 2015, Africa & Middle East 2016, Europe 2017, and America 2018. Invited members included Ko Seung-hyun; Ri Eung-woo; Jeon Won-gil; Lee Jae-eun; Ko Soon-ho; Kim Yong-min; Cho Kyu-hyun; Ko Hyun-hie; Jung Jang-Jig; Kwon O-yeol; Park Bong-gi; Kim Soon-im; Choi Yong-sun; Chung Hye-ryung; Hur Kang; Kim Sung-ho; Kim Young-ho; Yoon Jin-sup (South Korea) and Zhang Kai Qin (China); Somu Desai (India); Anni Snyman (South Africa); Mahmud Maktabi (Iran); Rumen Dimitrov (Bulgaria); Lynn Bennett-Mackenzie (UK,Scotland); Alpar Peter (Hungary); Saulius Valius (Lithuania); Diana Radaviciute (Lithuania); Delphine Saurat(France); and Reka Varallyay (Hungary).

Please join us in an online interview and conversation with Anni on the experiences and insights gained. Click ‘going’ to follow the interview, and start posting your questions before Monday 12 May 2014 on the event wall, even if you can’t attend the allocated time slot.  Hopefully some of her fellow travellers will be able to join us ~

ONLINE Q&A : GNAP KOREA 2014 with Anni Snyman

www.facebook.com/events/1437648623149789/

One of our key values states: "Embedded within all it’s activities, Site_Specific holds education as it’s key role, aiming to influence minds and paradigms around issues of environment, community, culture, and artistic practice.”

Please join the conversation!

Cape Land Art gathering: Witsands Beach

Want to join on Sunday 18 May 2014 and create land art at Witsands Beach? 

The focus is on process, on temporary work and exploration. For more information, go to greenyourart.blogspot.com/2014/04/cape-land-art-gathering-witsands-beach.html or facebook.com/capelandart. Also join the Site_Specific facebook page if you have not done so already: facebook.com/sitespecific.landart

Site_Specific JOZI: Anni Snyman, Andrea Cristoforetti, Katty Vandenberghe

ANNI SNYMAN working with Andrea Cristoforetti, Katty Vandenberghe and helpful Johannesburg Botanical Garden staff who decided to bring all the yellow leaves they could find. Anni built up an image of a robin with leaves found in the area, home-made flour & sugar glue. This leaf painting is in honour of a robin living at this site, and also has the ability to attract insects. The painstaking process of collecting and sorting leaves in the area, and arranging them into feathered patterns becomes part of a meditative practice in honour of the animal depicted. 

Photos by Anni Snyman & :kat~

Anni Snyman is one of the directors and founding partners of Site_Specific. She works in various media ranging from traditional prints, photography, digitally manipulated images and animations, to three dimensional installations and sculptures. She actively seeks collaborations with other artists, and has organised several 'Kunstellasies' – juxtapositions of different creative disciplines in public spaces.

www.annisnyman.co.za

The Architecture of Help: designing for life, improving lives

by Michelle Albinson 

For most of us mud houses are something of the past. We are used to modern houses, tall apartment blocks and skyscrapers. Our homes are made of the best materials. We know there are small zinc sheet homes for the poor. Just as there are zinc homes, there are also plenty of places in Africa where mud houses are still used. Nka Foundation makes us aware of this situation and is reaching out a helping hand in a creative and innovative manner. It is currently accepting ideas and proposals from designers, architects and builders to improve these mud houses and entries can come for anywhere around the world.

Design Problem: A Typical Mud House at Abetenim Village

Nka is an Igbo and Akan word, and together they refer to art being an ancient tradition, one of the most ancient activities to be taken on by humans. It is a well chosen name, since Nka Foundation is focused on capital development through the use of different art forms, such as visual arts, architecture and performing arts. They hope to broaden people’s scope through their Mud House Design Competition.

The competition is open for entries until the 31st of August. The selection of the winning designs will be chosen between 15 September and 30 September by a panel of judges.


This competition aims to reach more than one goal:

1. Nka Foundation hopes to solve a “design problem” of homes in Ghana (more specifically the Ashanti Region), that causes people to have a stereotypical perception of mud houses being for the poor. The solution will enable the people of different wealth classes to think more openly about mud houses and to eventually also live in mud houses which are less expensive than cement houses. Nka Foundation is trying to show people the potential of a well-designed and -built mud house.
2. Another goal involves making people’s lives easier through this change. At the moment many people can’t afford a home of their own and often end up living in cramped spaces. By scraping the idea that a mud house makes for a bad home that will erode over time, these people can afford having their own humble space.
3. This is an opportunity for the local labourers to learn from people all over the world. They will be able to build these homes for their own people, giving them work, experience and even confidence.
4. In time the Mud House Design Competition will allow the people of Ghana (and elsewhere too, as the house that gets chosen becomes Open Source) to grow and live more comfortably. It also allows for better and more buildings. This alone should be a good enough reason to send in an entry or two! Another good reason is, of course, for the possible honour of winning, or at least a chance to build your portfolio.

ENTER NOW

Go to www.nkafoundation.org/2014mudhousedesign.html to read about the requirements, background, conditions, FAQ's and more. If you have the talent, you now have the chance to show it where it will matter: design for lives.

Site_Specific JOZI: Colleen Winter & Moira McMurray

COLLEEN WINTER made of natural materials, one including the dead branches of an acacia thorn tree.

MOIRA MCMURRAY, assisted by Daniel and David, had to come to grips with the realities of land art as her large leaves wilted in the heat of the sun. The challenge in working with natural materials is that they change form from one hour to the next. Understanding this medium comes with trial and error, and therein lies the challenge of creating a successful land art work.

Site_Specific JOZI: Angus Taylor

"Belated Wake II", donated by Angus Taylor as part of the JOZI Land Art event, remains part of the Johannesburg Botanical Garden even after the event. 'Belated Wake II' is part of a series of works of similar scale of a giant figure emerging from the ground.

www.angustaylor.co.za
www.sitespecific.org.za

 

Land Art gatherings in Western Cape starting up

Inspired by Site_Specific JOZI monthly meetings around Cape Town is being initiated by artists in the Western Cape to help connect us to one another and to the Land. The first of these meetings were held on Monday, 14 April 2014 in Radlof Park, Somerset-West.

This shared day of discussion and participation resulted in some site-specific temporary installations. To join the group for one of the next gatherings, go to the Facebook page, or subscribe to their mailing list: eepurl.com/SLoMz.


A circle of wood figures by Janet Ranson




Accentuating the lines in rocks with water, and a water totem with green and yellow leaves from the river, by Janet Botes


Spiral-like pattern or line of yellow autumn leaves, by Adri Bezuidenhout

Site_Specific JOZI: Gordon Froud, Colleen Winter, Kylie Serebro

GORDON FROUD working with Colleen Winter and Kylie Serebro created this rhino out of natural materials supplied by the garden. The rhino is a repeated form previously executed in Froud's popular coat-hanger style. The Rhino is life-size and looks as if it's happily grazing it's way through the garden. Rhino's are facing an alarming escalation in poaching, which has already wiped out the Western Black Rhino. Rhino's numbers are dwindling dangerously low, and if the situation isn't taken in hand, will disappear altogether.

Cape Town/Helderberg Land Artist Meetup

Dear Artists,

Inspired by Site_Specific JOZI Janet Botes and Janet Ranson believe we need monthly meetings around Cape Town to help connect us to one another and to the Land!

Please join us next Monday (14 April 2014) in Radlof Park, Somerset-West, at the Gordon Road entrance, map.

Share a day of discussion, inspiration and installation. We will begin  at 9.30am, with a quiet, ‘Open Hearts, Empty Hands’ approach, as described by Wongil Jeon. This means walking into Nature and responding to whatever is there, in the environment. Whatever we build will be respectful, organic and temporary: we may even dismantle it at the end of the day. (Some of us do bring tools in our otherwise empty hands: e.g. cameras!)

Then we’ll share tea and chats, with 2 main aims:

• Setting up regular monthly meetings
• finding opportunities and venues for public site-specific events

RSVP if you’d like to join us on 14 April.
Mail if you’d like to be kept up-to-date.
Please send any advice or suggestions!

Janet Ranson - janran@cybersmart.co.za
Janet Botes - art@janetbotes.co.za, +2772 331 5057

Cycles: Crows by Colleen Winter

Colleen Winter created these melting ice crows at the Site_Specific land art installation at Aardklop last year in the North West University Botanical Garden.

Colleen Winter, ‘Cycle:CROW’, detail from an installation of crows made out of melting ice.
Aardklop 2013, NWU Botanical Garden.

"The melting dripping ice crows were very poignant as a metaphor for the cycles in life."

- Chris Reinders