UKZN student produces a R-evolutionary dream art installation
Bijoux works independently as an artist and curator as well as an implementer and manager of creative projects.
WITH more than 27 years’ experience in the arts and education fields, current Masters in Art study student Coral Bijoux has completed a body of art as an installation at the university campus plant nursery.
Bijoux works independently as an artist and curator as well as an implementer and manager of creative projects. Her latest work, Dreams as R-evolution developed over a nine-month period and is now formally open for public viewing.
The Dreams as R-evolution installation project was funded by the National Arts Council and the Human Elephant Foundation. All work was conceptualised and developed by the artist, supported, interrogated and observed by friends, family, students and interested parties. Tholakele Mdakane rendered assistance to the artist as a mentor.
“The work evolved in a dream-like state produced mostly from industrial and household discarded single use plastic. The space (nursery) echoed the lives of animals, insects, plants and humans. It became a place of fantasy and growth, degeneration and re-growth. It was within this context that the dreams evolved: questioning, answering, recording, questioning again, observing, noting, drawing, sculpting, and sharing,” said Bijoux.
Participants came from outside and within the university – through formal (workshops, presentations and talks) and informal arrangements (staff and students walking into/sitting in the space). “This is a space without doors, no roof or windows, opened to the elements and open to engagement, interference and/or appreciation,” said Bijoux, whose work evolved month after month braving the elements, student strikes and a pandemic lockdown.
“It was important for my children, friends, family, staff members and students that witnessed this ‘crazy’ work being developed to see that it is possible to have a dream – be it to study under the direst conditions or to ‘one day get a job of your dreams’ – or to create a dream project. It is possible no matter what the circumstances are and what the context is.”
Bijoux thanked UKZN’s Infrastructure, Planning and Projects Department for permission to use a section of the nursery and staff members who assisted from time to time.
Art critic and academic, Dr Ashraf Jamal added: “Bijoux has spent just shy of a year immersed in an art installation project as evolutionary as it aspires to be revolutionary, or better, revelationary, because what Bijoux strives to reveal, through all the senses, is our relationship to the earth, our native land, which we have squandered and abused.”The Dreams as R-evolution installation can be viewed after a booking is made with the artist (to ensure the requisite permits are granted).
The artbook will be available soon and the website https://coral4art.co.za allows the public to peek into the work in progress.Contact the artist via coralbijoux.65@gmail.com.
