Where Rabbits go to Sleep & Dream

Wed Jan 8, 10:00 - Sun May 3, 10:00

AfrikaBurn, Tankwa Town

ABOUT


I am creating a 20m x 4m x 2m interactive artwork that will be set up in Loxton, alongside the Riverine Rabbit Thinking Path. Before finding its permanent home in Loxton, South Africa; the artwork will travel to Afrikaburn. 


I need £4700 in order to bring this artwork to the Karoo. 


I have 4 months to complete this project and I have already made significant progress with the design. The sculpture must be completed at the start of Afrikaburn on 27th April 2020 and will be exhibited for the duration of the event where people can interact with the artwork, learn about the Riverine Rabbit and gain an understanding of the fragility of the Karoo ecosystem and the creatures that call it home.


The Riverine Rabbit


Out in the Nama Karoo, the seemingly desolate and endless desert landscape you travel through when driving from Cape Town to Johannesburg is home to a very special creature, the Riverine Rabbit.


The Riverine rabbit is unique in that it’s one of the rarest mammals on earth and is critically endangered. Unlike other members of the Lepus family, the female Bunolagus Moniticularis has only one offspring a year and a maximum 4 in a lifetime.


Their endangered status is partly due to their particular breeding habits however the limited geographical habitat, the destruction thereof as well as hunting are also major causes. Other factors such as Uranium mining and fracking are key concerns that could further impact the status of these rare and beautiful mammals.


Taking into account the Riverine rabbits' breeding habits and the numerous other dangers that plague their fragile habitat we therefore need to do our utmost to ensure we protect their environment and give them the best chance to survive and not allow another amazing and unique animal to slide into extinction.


At the heart of the efforts to save this elusive rabbit are the field teams from the Endangered Wildlife Trusts Drylands Conservation Programme, local residents and farmers of a small town in the Karoo, Loxton. Working hand in hand, landowners, field teams and local authorities work tirelessly to ensure their habitat is restored and protected.


Should you find yourself travelling through the dusty interior of South Africa you will be forgiven for missing Loxton. It is small nondescript town; not widely known and with no obvious attractions. It lies roughly halfway between Carnarvon and Beaufort West. Loxton is nestled between low koppies that makes up this seemingly desolate landscape, just off the R63. It is a charming and beautiful little town and a definitely a recommended stop over.


What makes it special is that it’s at the heart of the conservation effort and its home to the Riverine Rabbit Thinking path, a Site_Specific geoglyph.


Site_Specific 


Site_Specific  is a collective that promotes and integrates art in nature; facilitates and promotes conversation about cultural practices and the impact on nature. Site_Specific established the Riverine Rabbit Thinking path in 2017 with the help of the local community. The 105 by 90 metre geoglyph was created, firmly establishing Loxton as a must stop destination when traveling through the Karoo.


What you can do to help


I am reaching out to the community, seeking support to help bring my vision of creating a large landscape work of art to life and give it a permanent home in Loxton.


I need £4700 to help bring this vision to life. The money will be used to acquire materials, help with the construction, consumables and transportation of the artwork.


A heartfelt thank you! 


I have a deep love for this part of South Africa - it is a landscape that is both fragile and harsh and it inspires me in many ways. It’s a contemplative space that often reminds me of my own place in nature, in time and the impact I can make through my art to help shine a spotlight on an issue that is close to my heart. My artwork will become part of the South African landscape, become part of nature and will hopefully stand the test of time and continue to help the Riverine Rabbit long after I am gone. I am hoping that my artwork will put Loxton more on the map and thus bring more funds to the area through people visiting and provide further support for their conservation.


About Afrikaburn 


AfrikaBurn is a not for profit company, that exists to advance a culture of creativity: upholding and promoting freedom and diversity of expression, inclusive community building and volunteerism with the aim of fostering positive social change. 


As a creative community, the event is participant conceptualised and actualised, all artworks and creative projects are essentially community projects, where labour and professional fees are gifted. Any help in terms of discounts, donated goods and supplementary funds will go towards the staging of art and creating opportunities for arts experiences in South Africa.