Plettenberg Bay's Land Art event

Last year, many residents of Plettenberg Bay, myself included, watched in amazement as the town was visited by local and international Land Artists for the first Land Art event to be held in the area. It was an interesting time, as sticks were planted on the beach and circles drawn in the sand. I must admit that I was very curious about the outcome of this artistic endeavour.

Site_Specific, the company responsible for putting the event together, explains that the “discipline of Land Art uniquely combines culture and nature in a manner that brings art to the community’s landscape, thus it has the potential to transform communities’ and individuals’ perceptions of themselves, each other, their environment and the interconnected relationship between all of them.”

Much of the artwork created had disappeared within a week or two, but the spectacular stonework, “Aartmoeder” remains on the cliffs near the Griqua community of Kranshoek, overlooking the sea. The nearby Knysna forests are the last known location of free roaming elephants in South Africaand Simon Bannister’s “Aartmoeder” looks like an elephant when seen from a certain angle. Local stone masons worked with Bannister to build the artwork and it is the first permanent Land Art in the Eden to Addo Land Art Corridor. The Eden to Addo Corridor initiative is aimed at linking the 3 mega-reserves of Tsitsikamma, Baviaanskloof and Addo by means of natural corridors to protect the biodiversity and ecosystems of the area. Other beautiful creations included: “Cucitera (Sewing)” created by two international land artists, symbolising the stitching together of two continents and “Veiled Hope” made entirely from cotton, shells, beads and fishing line.

The event was very well supported by the local community, Bitou Municipality and the Beacon Isle Hotel. Those who are interested can look forward to an exciting event this year, which will focus more on local artists and involve additional communities in the area. For those who like a bit of exercise with their art, there will be a hike/mountain bike trail linking the Eden to Addo Land Art Corridor during the event in 2012.

The documentary book, launched recently at the hotel includes photographs of last year’s artworks and limited edition prints are also available. The ability of these artists to showcase not only their talent but the natural beauty of the Bitou Community was truly inspiring and I look forward to seeing what they come up with this year.

For more information on the mountain bike/hike trail through theEdento Addo Corridor contact [email protected]