This sculpture/installation by Andries Botha touches my heart. It is called "You can buy my heart and my soul" and consists of 9 life sized elephants constructed of thousands of little wooden pieces, bolted onto metal frameworks.
Andries Botha who comes from my neck of the woods in KwaZulu Natal, enlisted the help of several traditional carvers to help construct the elephants. There is something about these elephants walking into the sea that effects me to the point of tears.
They were originally made for the Beaufort 2006 Art Project in Belgium and graced the beach at De Panne for 6 months. Imagine seeing a herd of elephants walking along a windsept beach and into the sea. An awesome sight!
They were moved to the Antwerp Zoo as part of the zoo's "Year of the Elephant" theme.
This photograph is the property of http://www.hotels-belgium.com/
An interesting site for African Elephant facts here.
Those elephant are more than amazing. I don't have words to describe it. I would love to have been able to see those elephants too.Thanks for telling us about it.
ReplyDeleteI am just so pleased to share, Jason. They are .... beyond words.
ReplyDeleteStunning. Eerie timing. I just finished reading in the New Yorker magazine - Sept 22 issue - an article about the Babar books. I had no idea they were so controversial and political, I just loved them as a kid because I wanted Babar the elephant to be my friend. Check the magazine's website, there are links to a slide show with some illustrations. How magical can it be that something so large seems to need a hug?
ReplyDeleteSusan
WOW...this is absolutely innovative.
ReplyDeleteBy the way thanks for leaving a comment on our blog
Such a moving tribute to such a magnificent creature who has suffered so much at the hands of man.
ReplyDeleteReally lovely.
I agree with you, it must have been an awesome sight.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan, I will check it out.
ReplyDeletet and s, amazing what people can do with simple materials...found objects etc.
Pamela, yes I think that is what makes me so emotional about this sculpture. These huge creatures at the mercy of man.
dear robyn got your message,sadly we did not see these but we saw the sultans elephant in 2006,if you heard of it.it was amazing here is a link
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/the_Sultan's_Elephant
was quite a treat,nitya was very small yet but arth absolutely loved it.
the elephants in your post are amazing,it would be amazing to see them in real. great post yet again
:)
Those elephants are amazing and beautiful. I love them. Elephants have been my favorite animals for years.
ReplyDeletethinker, wonderful to touch them too.
ReplyDeletemegha, I looked up the link thank you. Another awesome sight!The wrinkled skin, the spray from the trunk, the shere size....amazing!
queencraftygirl, I'm glad you like them. Have a look at the link Megha has posted in her comment. Huge elephant marionettes!
good heavens! i am truly shaken by this. it's magnificent.
ReplyDeletea post to blow my mind away from sunday evening lethargy.
thank you robyn.
you have an award waiting on my blog,no strings attached :)
ReplyDeleteThe ability to mold something so lifelike from chips and strips of wood is so amazing. I learned much about art and artists here on your blog. Thanks again.
ReplyDeletepriya, nothing like something amazing to blow the cobwebs away.
ReplyDeletemegha, thank you so much!
stevie, I'm so glad I was able to introduce you to something new.
Those elephants are amazing. But I had so wanted to think they were walking on a South African beach.
ReplyDeletethis kind of handiwork leaves me speechless, in awe and humbled !!
ReplyDeleteIt's the scale, that is awesome, isnt it? And the fact that it is a herd. HE must have had great relationships with his land and people to do this, I can see why this is one of your favourite pieces... thanks for showing it.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing this. There is something so melancholy about that image! Like a quiet march to extinction. Very thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteOMG. Just seeing the pictures has brought tears to my eyes. I'm not sure I could see them in real without a total breakdown. I don't even know why, but for me elephants represent the best of all creation.
ReplyDeleteThank you for making sure that so many of us will get to see this tribute.
thank you Robyn - there are no words
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful. I would love to see these in person. Beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteOh Robyn, what incredible photographs, these elephants touch my heart too. I wish I could see them in person. Such a statement, to me of family, of nature... and of simplicity. Wow... thank you for sharing these with us. Roxanne
ReplyDeleteRobyn,
ReplyDeleteThese photos are incredible.
I love these elephants!
There's something special about elephants, I see any number and still stop and watch in awe.These sculptures are fantastic, love the use of wood bolted onto a metal frame, must check out the sites you have recommended.Robyn you are my window on Africa, thank-you.
ReplyDeleterobyn, these are beyond words... they really are. thank you...
ReplyDeletehi again robyn,
ReplyDeletei came across this post and remembered you and the elephant post:
http://www.designboom.com/contemporary/naturalarchitecture.html
What amazing work, there is so much life and movement in the work. Thanks for sharing the images.
ReplyDeletePriya, I just went to the site you referenced - fabulous! Thanks for sharing it here! Robyn and everyone - definitely check it out-
ReplyDeletePriya, thanks for that link. There is some awesome work there. Loved the nest and running in circles.
ReplyDeleteHeather, it would have been very special seeing them face to face on a S.African beach!
Julie, humbled indeed.
grrl, a lot of Bothas work is on a large scale and he often uses natural materials. Very effective!
bindu, every time I see these photographs my mind wanders off. Very thought provoking.
So moving - definitely heart and soul stuff. And if the pictures can do that, the real thing must be almost overwhelming!
ReplyDeleteI had a look at designboom too - wow!
btw, I have not commented on your blog before but I LOVE your totems and always enjoy popping in to see the latest thing you're working on!
Jeane, Chris, Terry, Roxanne and Caroline,
ReplyDeleteIt's always great to share something so awesome.
Embellisher, yes I have a soft spot for elephants too.....and a lot of respect.
Lynne, exactly!
Ro, even though they are standing still you get the feeling that they are lumbering along that beach.
Kendalee, thanks for popping in!
ReplyDeleteThose elephant sculptures are truly amazing, what stunning pieces of art.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for posting the photos.
The sculptures, like the elephants, are strong, serene and noble. Thank you for showing them.
ReplyDeletebeautiful. breathtaking. amazing. wow!! What amazing works of art! Thank you for taking the time to show us these wonderful artists and their creations that we might not otherwise be able to see!
ReplyDeleteVery moving. Like you say, seeing them in person would be a powerful experience.
ReplyDeleteThese are spectacular. There is something about them that just draws and holds the eye and the imagination.
ReplyDeletewow - what an incredible sight ... the first and fifth photo's really speak to me. I hope that some day I am lucky enough to get a chance to see them in person. Thank you for sharing (and the links to Botha's website & iinteresting facts, too)
ReplyDeletebig smiles, ~M~
These are just beautiful Robyn...
ReplyDeleteRobyn these are stunning.. what a sight...gorgeous workmanship!!!
ReplyDeleteThey feel as if, you turned away for a moment, they may lumber out of sight.. I am amazed at the life -likeness they have..
Thank you so much for bringing them our attention...