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BirdLife South Africa's DivisionsAvitourism:Martin Taylor, Cell: +27 (0) 72 2777254, tourism@birdlife.org.za Business:Rob Stewart, Tel: +27 (0) 11 7891122, accounts@birdlife.org.za Important Bird Areas Programme:Daniel Marnewick, Tel: +27 (0) 11 789 1122, Fax: 086 5122516, Cell: 082 7724432, iba@birdlife.org.za Terrestrial bird conservation:Dr Hanneline Smit, Tel:+27 (0) 11 789 1122, conservation@birdlife.org.za Events:Sadie Halbhuber, Tel: +27 (0) 11 789 1122, Cell: +27 (0) 79 5028379, events@birdlife.org.za Policy & Advocacy:Carolyn Ah Shene-Verdoorn, Tel: +27 (0) 11 7891122, Cell: +27 (0)82 7768333,advocacy@birdlife.org.za Seabird conservation:Dr Ross Wanless, Tel: +27 (0) 21 4197347, Cell: +27 (0) 73 6753267, gsp@birdlife.org.za Environmental Education and Community Conservation:Joe Peu, Tel: +27 (0) 11 7891122, education@birdlife.org.za |
George John Holloway
I am an Afrikaans boy from Stellenbosch who found his creative rootstock in Durban.
Before my training in Fine Arts at Technikon Natal – now Durban University of Technology – I worked broadly in sculptural media for many years.
I grew up in my dad's workshop with wood and woodworking tools before graduating to my brother’s model building studio with silicone moulds, resins and metalwork.
During my stay in Johannesburg I worked on film and TV sets for two years before coming to Durban to do my Fine Art diploma. With Andries Botha and Jeremy Wafer as my major influences I majored in sculpture.
During my studies I developed an affinity for working in found objects. The appeal was twofold.
Firstly found objects have a history, they were made for a purpose, fulfilled that purpose, were discarded and began another life in the streets. The second part of their lives is where they develop texture and a patina that is unique.
Secondly I was partaking in recycling, although it was on a small scale. I collected 'waste' from the streets and redeemed it, elevating it to the level of sculpture. Instead of purchasing new materials, using what I need and discarding the rest, I scouted for waste material, used it all and recycled the rest.
After completing my studies, I worked in various commercial sculptural environments. During this time I acquired knowledge of a broad range of commercial and industrial materials, processes and design skills. A primary art making skill I uncovered for the first time was sculpting in foam on a monumental scale. I also completed my first wildlife sculpture in the form of a Fish Eagle. This was a frontispiece for a housing complex in Zinkwazi and was reproduced in fibreglass.
These skills along with my conceptual training at art school have positioned me rather uniquely in the art world, both as sculptor and fine art contractor.
To the project at hand -The Bird will be constructed with a 25mm square tubing structural core covered with a network of 6mm roundbar. I include pictures of similar construction used in an elephant I did for Andries Botha recently.
Over this framework I will fix metal flight feathers of recycled tin, feathers made of slate roof tiles and plastic bottles and panels of chicken mesh that will be woven with plastic packets. The plastic bottles and packets will add bright and 'unnatural' colour to the bird that will add weight to the central message of birds under threat.
Work in progress: Baby Elephants for Andries Botha's exhibition at the Everard Read GalleryCirca on Jellicoe, Rosebank, Johannesburg from 4 - 28 August 2011
The Bird: Project to illustrate climate change for
COP 17 in Durban 2011
Background and definitions: The effects of global climate change are becoming ever more evident. Scientists believe that climate change is already causing more frequent occurrences of drought, flooding and rises in malaria. Other phenomena attributed to climate change are increased incidents of hurricanes and forest fires. Among the long-term impacts are rising sea levels and damage to crops which can lead to wide-spread famine. Some of the most serious effects of climate change are occurring in countries least prepared to counter them. Many African countries are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Global warming is caused by an excess of heat-trapping gases, first and foremost carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides. These gases mainly result from the burning of fossil fuels, from agriculture and from waste dumps. The gases prevent the sun’s energy from radiating back into space after it has reached the surface of the earth, much like the glass of a greenhouse. In 1992, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted as the basis for a global response to the problem. With 194 Parties, the Convention enjoys near-universal membership. The ultimate objective of the Convention is to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The Convention is complemented by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which has 192 Parties. Under this treaty, 37 industrialised countries and the European Community have committed to reducing their emissions by an average of 5 percent by 2012 against 1990 levels. The UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol are also designed to assist countries in adapting to the inevitable effects of climate change. They facilitate the development of techniques that can help increase resilience to climate change impacts – for example, the development of salt-resistant crops – and to exchange best practices with regard to adaptation. The Conference of the Parties (COP): This is the “supreme body” of the Convention, its highest decision-making authority. It is an association of all the countries that are Parties to the Convention. The meeting of the Parties (CMP): The Conference of the Parties serves as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP). The CMP meets during the same period as the COP. Parties to the Convention that are not Parties to the Protocol are able to participate in the CMP as observers, but without the right to take decisions. The functions of the CMP relating to the Protocol are similar to those carried out by the COP for the Convention (from the UNFCCC website: http://unfcc.int). Introduction BirdLife Port Natal considers the coming COP 17 meeting in our own backyard a critical opportunity to focus attention on birds and the threats climate change pose to them. The Why To raise people’s awareness of the birds which share their environment. To raise awareness of the adjustments that birds will have to make to survive into the 22nd century, to survive the threats and challenges of climate change in particular, but also habitat destruction and pollution. To create a fun, interactive educational opportunity about birds, their needs and habits. To encourage questions and stimulate discussion about the impact of humans on the natural environment, particularly birds, the place/position of humans within the natural environment and the changes humans themselves will have to make to survive within a natural environment that is set to change drastically due to climate change and persistent species extinction. To raise funds for a conservation project. (The BLPN Committee to decide on a project such as monitoring Important Bird Areas, or adopting a specific site, or sponsoring the studies of an upcoming ornithologist who then have to work in an area we want to for a set period of time, etc). The How We wish to achieve our objectives by building a BIG bird (± 3m x 5m = Height x Width). The Bird will be recognizable as a vulture, but at the same time will have a fantasy aspect as well. This fantasy element will come from some projections on how birds will need to adapt if they are to survive into the 22nd century, e.g. with increased temperature appendages will grow longer and bodies smaller. The Bird will stand as symbol for all birds and will create tension in the viewer. The viewer will be encouraged to ask questions such as “Why does this bird have such long wings?” ”Why does it have this colour?” To some questions BPLN will provide answers, e.g. on boards near The Bird a question will be asked and the answer provided on the back. Other questions the viewers will have to answer for themselves, e.g. “Will I miss something if there are no more birds left?” and “What adjustments may humans need to make, anatomically, to survive climate change?” We wish to stimulate thought and debate. The Bird will be constructed out of recycled materials. It will be of high quality and artistic merit. It will be constructed in such a way that it can be taken apart in seven pieces that can fit through a standard doorway and crated for easy transport. The Where The Bird will be displayed during the COP 17 meeting in a prominent place in Durban. As yet the exact location is uncertain as we need to get final answers from Ethekwini Municipality, BirdLife South Africa and the alliance of NGOs and civil society that will be represented at the conference. The Who The Bird is being designed by George Holloway, a local sculptor whose most recent work include working on the Shaka group at the new King Shaka International Airport in Durban. He will also take final responsibility for finishing The Bird on time and according to specifications. He is advised by Andries Botha, the internationally known Durban based sculptor. George Holloway will be assisted by three assistants in the construction of the basic framework of The Bird. BLPN wishes the building of The Bird to be as inclusive as possible. We aim to involve our own membership, members of BirdLife throughout KwaZulu-Natal as well as BLSA members throughout South Africa. George will travel to other clubs in KZN to work on an actual piece of The Bird with them. However, we also hope to involve a much wider community – in Durban and elsewhere in South Africa. The proposed main building site will be the big room on the second floor of Colombo Tea and Coffee in Gale Street, Durban. This venue is open Monday to Friday from 08h00 to 16h30, Saturday 09h00 to 14h00 and boasts a small coffee shop which is popular with the younger set in Durban. Regular taxis and buses pass this building throughout the day and there is a parking area at the back for those who come by car to work on The Bird. George, who has a background of working with NGOs, will bring some crafters from communities around Durban to help with some of the work which will give BLPN access to a community we do not often have contact with. We also want to bring in schools to help and through publicity in the various media we want to encourage the wider community to stop by and participate in the building process. When George visits various clubs around KZN the local club members will be encouraged to participate in the building of The Bird as well as local school children, churches and others. We believe that every person who ties a piece of plastic to the basic structure has made an investment in The Bird and will therefore be that little more aware of birds. People who are unable to participate physically in the construction process but wish to be part of the project will be encouraged to make donations to the conservation project. To aid general education about birds posters will be displayed throughout the venue that highlight various aspects of birds, e.g. beaks, feathers, feet. The Bird and its entire building process offer a wonderful opportunity to generate publicity about birds and BirdLife and the valuable work it does. We will communicate as usual with the birding fraternity but will also use as many other media as possible – newspapers, magazines, radio and TV, and social media such as Twitter and Facebook and the Internet. The opportunity starts with the first rods being welded together and will build up over the months to the point where The Bird finally takes up position during COP 17. And Then What? After COP 17 The Bird could travel to other clubs and towns in KwaZulu-Natal and elsewhere in South Africa for as long as needed. It could also find a final resting place in a museum. In any of these scenarios The Bird will continue to educate about birds and the ways in which they will have to adjust to survive climate change. And hopefully continue to stimulate debate about humans and their place in a rapidly changing natural environment.
http://happinessisat.blogspot.com/2011/05/colombo-tea-and-coffee-co.html