Sutherland Reflections

Sutherland Reflections

In collaboration with Bronwyn Lace.

Bringing in 2009’s International year of Astronomy together with the South African Astronomical Observatory in Sutherland, artists Bronwyn Lace and Marcus Neustetter
launched their project with experimental interventions during the night of New Year’s Eve 2008.

These interventions on the evening of 31st December were a precursor for the following two weeks of activities that resulted in a land-art and kite flying spectacle up to and on the 14th January 2009.

Sutherland Reflections aimed to create an experience for participation, artistic interventions and a creative spectacle in the form of a community driven kite flying
artwork.

The artists’ intention was to address the current attitude and relationship between the seeming “distance” of the disadvantaged communities in Sutherland and the international
neighbouring telescopic observatory. The resulting artistic interventions employed a playful activity to fill the liminal space between these two communities and where their reality
lies – between the earth and the stars.

Together with youth of the Sutherland community, Lace and Neustetter played with ideas of perspective, reflection, shadows and reaching for the stars, with the intention of
developing outcomes that are meaningful and thought-provoking while being spectacular, aesthetic and enchanting.

While the Sutherland Reflections project was only a two week programme, the donated kites and creative skills that were transferred hope to stimulate opportunities for regular
kite events as part of a Kite Club and an annual festival.

Supported by:
The National Arts Council
South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) and Southern African Large Telescope (SALT)
The Karoo Hoogland Municipality, The Sutherland Tourism Board and the people of Sutherland

Download more information:

Sutherland Reflections Report PDF

Sutherland Reflections Image Posters PDF