2011 - The journey
The
journey goes on, the journey is the destination, and the journey is here. The
year has watched me come and go, back and forth, to and fro. Planes, trains and
boats all in a row. But what’s this rhyming nonsense? Let me begin at the start
then.
With
the Two oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, I saw an opportunity to see the location
as an exhibition. So I hunted and collected plastic from the shorelines and
roadsides to use as my material and inspiration for the artworks. Using a
studio space in the Cape Castle of Good Hope, I created a series of synthetic
creatures that represented the satirical emergence of life from the oceans. A
warning prophesy of the tide that was changing for the worse. The installation
was well received as it linked with an awareness message of how we need to
control our waste (namely plastic) better.
While
the exhibit was up, an amazing coincidence occurred. The research I had done
into the topic had connected me with the 5gyres institute, who were at that
very point were conducting water sampling across the South Atlantic. They had
planned to be in CT in December and had been interested in my work. I wanted to
join their expedition back to S. America and managed to raise half the funds
required (as they run a volunteering business model). They arrived and once
they had viewed my exhibit, decided that I must join them! I literally had a
week to prepare for my first sailing trip. The Black South Easter blew for 3
days, while we were moored in the CT harbour, with a looming presence. What a dream
to travel across an ocean! We finally left on the 30 December and I welcomed
the new year on the bow of the “Sea Dragon”. We sailed by the lee, up the West
coast to Walvis Bay to meet the rest of the crew and then westward to St.
Helena. The island is an incredible speck of Earth that very few get to visit.
But the entire trip was beyond what I can convey in these few lines. Bioluminescent
plankton in the wake, flying fish skipping across the surface of the mercurial
skin that is the boundless reflection of light. Cloud dancers and on a full circle
horizon, floating on the restless waters of creation and chaos. Truly inspiring
to feel the vast space of the open waters. We took 42 samples across the Gyre,
before we reached Pirriapolis, Uruguay. Every single one contained some degree
of plastic fragments. A confirmation of the immense pollution footprint the
last 50 years of progress have left behind. On my return (via 9hrs by plane) I
recounted my learning’s from the last 30 days I had been at sea and the
insights this experience gave me. Both for better and worse I continue to be
fascinated by the paradox of plastic as a giver and taker of life.
It
was only fitting that on my return to Cape town I then got involved with an inner
city art festival called” infecting the city”. Myself and 8 other artists were
challenged to create an artwork from 30 bags of household waste. Pretty insane
actually, a real challenge to find a single solution amongst many strong minded
artists, a real test in working together in the heat of the moment.
I
then had an incredible opportunity open up in the form of a graphic design
position at Londolozi. Working on the premise of doing their marketing print
communication, I would have the time and space to pursue my land art after
hours too. I found that this has given me a centre of gravity to operate from
for the rest of the year. A place of warm smiles, good energy and inspirational
wildlife. I have been working here for 10 months and it has great to spend time
with my brother, who, when he is not busy driving guests as a ranger and taking photographs of
leopards and lions, manage to co-create by working on 2 books that use
photography and poetry to convey the insights of living in the bushveld, we
wish to share those soon with you.
Being
in this part of the world opens up many beautiful getaway locations, Swaziland
being one of them. I have found a magical retreat there near Mbabane and have
enjoyed taking walks in the mountains and contemplating the art of the simple
life.
I
managed to reconnect with my parents in the Drakensburg mountains soon after my
wonderings in Swaziland. We spent some peaceful afternoons enjoying the scenery
and had a very special hike to this beautiful waterfall called the Blue Grotto
in the Champagne Castle region.
With
each getaway I maintained my creation process of making artworks along the way
and pushing proposals for involvement in upcoming events. One such proposal was
the creation of the first land artwork on the Eden to Addo corridor initiative;
this perfectly coincided with the launch of the Site_specific land art fest in
Plettenburg Bay. I worked in a small town called Kranshoek in a far-out
location on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean. It was a dramatic setting for
the piece, which consisted of moving 8 large boulders into the shapes of 3
elephants. The result was great and added a new permanent attribute to the
little town and a highlight for the co-ordinating project groups.
After
this I had to return to Londolozi and so took the trip by car. A fantastic long
drive through the desolate but rich heartland reminded me of the need I have to
constantly explore the unknown, cover new ground and learn more about the
mystery and magic of this country.
After
a couple of weeks back in the bush, I returned to the Western Cape to
participate in the Grahamstown festival. I saw a few outstanding shows and
created a small exhibit in the sustainability commons at Rhodes. I enjoy
participating in the transformation of the town, taking to the streets, meeting
creative folk from around the world and pushing my artistic boundaries.
I had
the absolute pleasure of joining my parents for a hike called the whale trail
down in the De Hoop reserve. An incredible array of fynbos flowers lined the
path of shells with sweet and unusual aromas. One walks a combination of
mountain, cliff and beach amongst stunning rock formations of ancient sand
dunes turned stone, sculpted by rain, wind and ocean for millions of years. The
tranquillity, rugged nature and isolation make this place one of my favourite
locations of all time. It was great to see how fit my parents are, they kept a
healthy pace the whole way and we shared good times and great meals along the
way.
I had
one of my works exhibited at the Standard Bank gallery in a collection entitled
“Water” along side some of SA’s most recognised artists. The work entitled
“return” was used as the exhibit poster image and subsequent catalogue. This is
a good sign that finally, the effort and energy I am pouring into my craft is
coming through.
The acclaimed
Boekenhoutskloof wine estate commissioned a giant porcupine made from timber in
October. It was fantastic to be in Franschoek for a couple of days and taste
the matured fruits of the delicious red wine “chocolate block”.
This
last month has taken me by train from Johannesburg to Durban as an artist
required to make temporary artworks to demonstrate the effects of climate
change with found objects along the way. The objective was to bring awareness
to the COP17 conference and the issues to be addressed there. I was unable to
attend the debates and so busied myself with the expo stands trying to get my
head around the incredible latest technologies in renewable energies. One thing
is for sure, as a collective we have the power, but it lies in the hands of a
few. For how long will this be the case? You can find my latest artworks here on my
blogsite, simontothemax and my
website: maxplanet.info
This
year has been incredible for me, I’ve found my passion and am pushing it on all
levels. Creation is sublime and essential to progressing and processing the
nature of the world, for better or worse. Life is what you make it, and I am
grateful for every breath. I wish to inspire you to follow your passion
strongly as the world keeps turning, everyday is never the same. Everyday is
yours to begin, again.
With
grace and gratitude, Simon Max Bannister 20011/12/02
