ARTIST : Eleen van der Walt
Contact Details : 083 276 5123
Email address: sculpture.touchingmagic@gmail.com
Do you share my heart and vision?
The following explains my goals and aspirations towards the sustainability of our Wild-life - through my creative initiative..
Come to the Dance' ...
I invite you to ' Come to the Dance, and support my vision to make a difference through my work.
Sustainability....speaks of embracing something LARGER than ourselves–-something awesome and inspiring. It is about surviving over the long term. The realizing of the concept of sustainability requires leaders of courage and initiative.
In the wild, the game of domination is a never-ending situation—and every decision made rides on the back of paradox and uncertainty. However, the elephants quietly continue on their way, with their hearts rooted in compassion and their minds rested on wisdom and intergenerational thinking. Likewise, every bit of initiative and support toward nature preservation and conservation makes a difference—whether that comes from corporate companies or individuals who have the passion, knowledge and time to offer each initiative.
Initially, of course, our purpose is to educate—to create the awareness—but we also need to go beyond highlighting only doom-‘n-gloom scenarios—such actions cause depressions, which end up being counterproductive—to become creative about establishing innovative responses and confident about their eventual outcomes. As Dr Jim Taylor said,
“When we become worried, our chances of acting more reasonably may even be reduced—like a rabbit caught in the headlights--action paralysis would be the result “
“But our concern for the environment doesn’t have to stay a naïve hope because—like the rich biological diversity that exists in nature–even the predators can find their rightful place within the larger community. You can make use of that brave lion heart and let the corporate bushveld echo not with the roar of greedy lion companies but the gentle rumbling of sustainable elephant enterprises. ‘.(as Dr Jim Taylor emphasized)
By inviting corporate to collaborate in my project ‘Come to the Dance” through a medium such as Prestik ,taken for granted in offices, I hope it will not only raise more awareness but most of all inspire ‘active involvement.
I invite you to come to the dance – and to see and embrace - the potential of this project.
WHY PRESTIK ?
The humorous side of Prestik as the art medium:
Blessed are the flexible- for they shall not bend out of shape.
Prestik is, essentially, a fragile substance…but it clings to any surface with which it comes into contact as if it is holding on for dear life. When Prestik has lost its stick-to-it-ness it is discarded; its stickiness is the very thing that gives it value.
At this time Africa’s wildlife—particularly that of the rhinoceros and elephant—is holding on for dear life. Through Touching Magic, Eleen van der Walt conducts investigative surgery, curious to discover that which the Prestik in her hands may come to embody. Through her sculptures she hopes to access the stick-to-it-ness needed to encourage people to catch the vision and also want to preserve Africa’s wildlife for the decades to come.
The materiality of Prestik offers a tangible presence which represents the fragility of life in contrast with the abundant gift of the life inside. Just as the artist discovered the potential of its material properties to be limitless and as determined as that of her own self, the potential of Touching Magic in the long term is also exciting. Prestik—which is commonly used in the corporate environment—is recyclable.
As Eleen van der Walt says, “Prestik has become the medium I use in my sculptures to carry the concept of hope—hope for conservation; hope for preservation; hope for life itself. Both the art medium and the artwork reflect that unique marriage and determination to survive.”
Moving beyond the Ordinary to the Extra ordinary.
To be able to see Potential Possibilities – it is necessary to recognize “magic” if we see it and feel it.
Prestik can be likened to the qualities one can pursue in your business:
With each of the following points, imagine the creations in my portfolio work and what could still be created with your support.
Prestik is touchable, tangible, the materiality of it can be fun; your business can be fun, creative and—with the right balance—less stressful.
Prestik is flexible, experimental; in your business–-if you can be open-minded for a change—you can experiment: take care but care to take chances.
Prestik is internally tough as human nerves; in your business your internal strength can be tested through persistence and perseverance.
Prestik is soft as animal or human flesh; in your business you can be soft and kind—considerate with employees and customers alike.
Prestik is changeable/stainable/ textured/ painted; your business can be made attractive, beautified and more inviting.
Prestik can be pristine and clean—yet discolored as bone discolors with age; your business may be at times perfect or imperfect…an aspect to be embraced as part of growth and maturing.
Prestik can be brittle—breakable as human bone; your business may have vulnerabilities because it involves people who are not machines but human.
Prestik can be smooth or textured or rough around the edges; your business processes can be imperfect and not run smoothly but can—with patience—be retextured to run more smoothly.
Prestik can be manipulated–-gently…patiently…but firmly—into perfect or imperfect form; your business can be remodeled with time and patience and firmness and patience into a more ideal form and shape (but be in charge and not manipulative).
Prestik is a glue medium—it sticks, grabs and holds substances; at times things can seem out of control, like papers that suddenly fall off the wall. Your perseverance and endurance will see your business through the tough times.
Prestik can be re-usable, recyclable, adaptable: in your business at times it becomes necessary to adapt—or die. Such events—and our ability to adjust and cope with living life—show us our strengths…it is the glue that grabs and holds us all together. And then we discover that unity attracts.
Stretch the Potential – find out what it could become- beyond the obvious..
The Urgent Need for Preservation
During my years as a fine art student, I re-used the Prestik I had used for one sculpture to create another—thus stretching its potential; re-birthing it; morphing it into something new. With my portfolio work I sealed the final art work with resin, in essence, making a glass coating that preserves the integrity of the physical shape and detail.
In archaeology glass is perceived as being an almost indestructible substance. What makes it very unique and special is that it sculpted from a substance used in corporate day – to day ,taken for granted just as our wildlife is in danger of disappearing.
Rise to the challenge - help make a difference.
I invite corporate companies and private clients to embrace the elephant mentality that was mentioned above, to reconsider your stance on Africa’s wildlife conservation and rise to the challenge, and to Come to the Dance through Touching Magic.
As an artist, I am only one individual – but through my work and my dedication to my inborn creativity - I attempt to speak to the consciousness of groups and individuals. Through the unconventional application of the recyclable medium of Prestik, I wish to inspire people to act to the benefit of Africa’s vulnerable natural environment and embrace the responsibility of working towards a sustainable future for all.
It is my hope that through the touchable presence of my sculptures, I can create a special tangible space to remind viewers of the required support for anti poaching initiatives , as set out here.
The Spark Inside the Bigger Picture.
My potential ideal client or collaborators is groups and individuals that passionately share my heart for conservation and sustainability. It is not a crusade in my eyes – but purely a labour of love through very hard work, determination and persistence. In a humorous way- life in itself – is like Prestik – you got to stick with it – to find its magic. Therefore I am looking for that same spark in others who can embrace my dream - and ‘ do’ as dreamers do.
“ Dreamers don’t quit – Dreamers Do.” Walt Disney.
Quitting is not an option. Not only because its been three long years of perseverance to complete this enduring body of work. My ultimate desire is to leave a legacy- and for my work to have made a difference…an
My dream for Come to the Dance is to help generate funding and much needed exposure and support for reputable, approved, and credible anti-poaching projects. To that end, I have pledged to donate 25-50% of the proceeds of commissioned sculptures for this project to effective anti-poaching units. so we can assist them in this desperate situation of our animals.
HOPE’ ..can be tangible – if we make it visible and believable through our actions.
If we can realize the ability in ourselves to make a difference- we can make our dreams a reality. and create the spark to take action.
‘Touching Magic’ is the way in which I have made my hope and my dreams – visible - tangible’.. for life and preservation.
If an Investor or potential client may ask how long the Prestik Sculpture may last and why I would value my work just as high as any other works of art made casted in bronze.. the answer comes simply :
Each sculpture do have sufficient layers of resin to protect it from damage and may outlast the next generation who will inherit the artwork. Consequently as the sculpture is dusted and polished to maintain its shiny and pristine material condition for human admiration, the Rhino and the African Elephant may not outlast this artwork.
My motivation is not never for personal enrichment, fame or self-promotion. While self-sustainability and financial independence is important, for me – it must be above all self-fulfilling.
" Come to the Dance "
If I ignited a spark and inspired your involvement in this project, you are welcome to visit my studio to view my Portfolio firsthand. Touch the magic and realize the power and the imagination I incorporated into my medium. It would be a meaningful investment in the sustainability of our Wildlife.
All that Talent ever desires - is to be used'
