Land Art Plettenberg Bay
In 2011, Plettenberg bay hosted South Africa’s first international Land Art event presented by Site Specific. The artist–led project was conceived by Strijdom van der Merwe and Anni Snyman in an attempt to create more opportunities for Land Art in South Africa.
Cornerway House’s Dee, was a “Gorilla” Land Artist for this site-specific week in 2011 in Plettenberg Bay. Her concept was an installation in the Square outside a popular Coffee Shop, Liquor Store, not a very sophisticated Supermarket and an Arty Video Store. This evoked the need to display THE DICHOTOMY of BITOU.
Dee used the tree in a giant planter situated in the middle of the Square and draped it with opposing items. The one side represented the beauty and natural resources including items of learning. The other side contrasted enormously with 3 mobiles hanging off the branches made of syringes, a condom circle and a large pomander of beer cans, wine and brandy bottles. This representing the destructive elements of our society! Needless to say we had no neutral comments passed on this installation!
It is with great excitement and anticipation that we will be hosting the 2nd International Land Art Biennale event in Plettenberg Bay. Between 10 & 17 August2013 our landscapes and open spaces will be artistically transformed into a visual ecstasy. This land art event celebrates the beauty of our natural environment and our rich cultural history. It allows the community spirit, that is in all of us to be enhanced and transported to another level….
This promises to be an awesome event, as we will have such influential artists from South Africa and overseas, sharing with our very own local artists. This year we see the inclusion of the Site Specific side artists, which allows artists to take part at their own exspense.
One of these fringe artists is Adriaan Augustyn who, together with Pletts phenominal Malcom Solomens, will create a work that has been inspired from their observation of the way man has become, through ignorance, arrogance and greed, unconscious and conscious agents in the destruction of nature. “The chain of ‘trash’ is suspended within the forest
tunnels and along the paths symbolizing the vortex nature of water going
down the drain. The aim is to raise awareness in those that witness this
work at how each action has a reaction. The days of dumping waste far
away, are gone and each individual is now challenged to evaluate his part in
the creation of the vortex drain of our natural resources. At this point
lies the opportunity for change and creating a new and inspirational vortex
with the potential to uplift rather than destroy.” They will be sourcing their materials from the Win Win Swop Shop, a recycling initiative started last year.
For more information on the International Land Art Biennale 2013, events and artists visit www.sitespecific.org.za
If you would like to visit Plettenberg Bay for this exciting event, please contact us on cornerwayhouse@mweb.co.za or visit our www.cornerwayhouse.co.za