A multi-disciplinary, explorative and ongoing Arts Project
Scapes is a project that encompasses not only traditional art in the form of drawing, painting and sculpture, but also contemporary and transient practices such as performance art, Land Art, installation art and recycled art, as well as interactive events and activities that invites audience or viewer participation and community involvement.
Primarily the focus is on the interaction that we as humans have with our environment, especially the way we feel in these environments – physically and emotionally – and the ways that we attempt to either involve ourselves or escape from a specific area, situation or environment. It also aims to explore the effect that a person's environment has on an individual’s personality, lifestyle and perception, and the effect or mark that we as individuals leave on the environment surrounding us.
This project is an ongoing exploration and interaction with audiences (performance art), viewers (exhibitions) and participants (interactive events, performances and installations), and through this explores interaction with scapes on another level – the artist’s interaction with the environment. The project incidentally investigate ways in which art and creative interpretation can raise awareness and also create an interaction between artist, participant or individual with a specific environment or scape.
This could include the execution of Land Art and the creation of Recycled Art. It could also include the creation of sustainable systems and projects that encourages and supports ongoing interaction and dedication by partipants.
Context
We live in a post-industrialized world where we seem to be stagnating between progress and problem. Most of us strive for more knowledge and attaining more technology, convenience and financial security. We abuse and deplete the natural resources that were once abundant on our planet, and destroy habitats, forests, and our ocean. People who still live in harmony with nature, who respect and replenish the earth that they take their food and sustenance from, seem to be in the minority. The beaches, mountain trails and rivers are being conserved and enjoyed by few, while the malls, entertainment parks and cinemas are overflowing with people seeking escape, convenience, more material possessions or entertainment that requires no physical exertion or effort.
We have by large become disconnected from ourselves as natural beings, as interconnected parts of nature, and as result of this, or as the cause of the result we are destroying not only our planet, but ourselves. Currently a trend towards more healthy and organic living can be noticed, and many people are becoming more aware of our responsibility towards nature conservation, responsible buying and farming practices, and ways of reducing their environmental footprint. There is thus a transformation taking place in a growing amount of people’s relationship towards the natural environment. Awareness and interaction with nature, and issues such as pollution and deforestation, are rising, and this could – or already has - an enormous impact on consumer-based industry, technology and people’s lifestyles. Growing concern and involvement with fighting environmental degradation could also stop and even reverse the negative effects that we as a species have inflicted upon our planet. It is with this in mind that this project is being embarked upon – to explore the different ways that people interact and perceive the natural environment, and also to raise awareness and encourage participation towards nature conservation.
SCAPES aim to include interactive performance and installation art, and also pull in and make use of collaboration with other artists, performers, organizations, groups and individuals.
To participate in or support the project, please email art@janetbotes.co.za for more information on how to get involved.
SOME OUTCOMES:
SCAPES at HUMANEARTH
Land art by Andreé Bonthuys, Leli Hoch, Di Smith & Janet Botes as part of
Re(-)Presentations
SCRAPES & SCAPES
Exhibition at Bodutu Gallery, VUT, Vanderbijlpark,
May 2011
SAND(SPOOR]
Performance Art & Installation, July 2012
Arts Lounge, National Arts Festival, Grahamstown