SANParks.org Forums

Our next photographic safari in Southern africa is drawing near! but we yesterday went to a wonderful art museum in the Veluwe National Park in the Netherlands. Among the van Gogh's etc I came across an artist I had never heard of: Cai Guo-Qiang. He is however world famous for his constellation art. The work shown here is an installation showing suspended full size tigers ((synthetic but very realistic, in agonizing poses & pierced by hundreds of arrows, which cover their contorted bodies and "screaming" faces.

From the written commentary the work can be interpreted at different levels but my wife and I who spend many months a year in African bush did not see tigers but rather the poaching of rhinos, lions, and all other wild animals. The message conveyed is direct and painful at this level, and we wondered about the role such art could potentially play in the fight against poaching. He has also done an installation with wolves & we wondered if wealthy companies could commission the artist to do a work with rhinos. It is interesting he is Chinese and the horns are often destined for his country. Perhaps the work could change the ideas of some people in his country as well as the wide world.

have a look at the photographs of his work:- http://theblackunicorns.blogspot.nl/2011/04/cai-guo-qiang.html
http://www.google.com/search?q=cai+guo-qiang&hl=en&rlz=1T4ADFA_enNL475NL475&prmd=imvnslo&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=q_nvT9O0DuyY0QXv5NSUDg&ved=0CFoQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=858

Art, and any other medium of making people aware of the conservation of rhino's (and other endangered species) can play a positive part in society. We have just seen what art can do to make people aware of politics in RSA. The more controversial - the better. It must be shocking, speaking to the morals of each individual and nation.

Exbrakpanite, you certainly have an interesting name.

I do believe that any act of creativity has more than a compounding effect. It is like the fecundity of nature. As the seed falls, more grows.

Thank you.