(Sculpture by Bernice Stott)
Liquid Light: Forms
drawn from water is an exhibition by Bernice Stott which opens at artSPACE Durban
next week
Bernice Stott describes the inspiration for her exhibition:
“Water is the source and grave of all things in the
universe. Plato described it as the first form of matter, “the liquid of the
whole verification.” All waters are associated with birth and are symbolic of
the Great Mother; the universal womb and the feminine principle. As prima
material, water is refreshment, fertility and the fountain of life.
The waters are also equated with the continual flux of the
manifest world; the ebb and flow of the tides, the circulatory movement of
blood, the moisture/sap of life in plants and people as opposed to the dryness
and static condition of death.
In the origin myths, in Africa and elsewhere, water is
always present. In Greek philosophy, water was believed to be the original
substance that all things were made from. Jewish, Christian and Islamic origin
myths agree it is the original substance. Water is a sacred element in Hinduism
and in many other polytheistic religions. In Christian symbolism, water
signifies regeneration; renewal; cleansing; sanctification and baptism. In many
other cultures water is of great significance in magic or religious rites. It
is revered as the power of life and death a symbol of life-giving and life-destroying;
it can both unite and divide.
Today, water has become a saleable commodity known as the
“Blue Gold of the future” and is third in line to oil in its economic value.
Our sixth great extinction of life on earth will arise through water shortage.
The work in the exhibition alludes to a re-mythologizing of the mystique of
water to counter a laissez-faire contempt for the earth’s water supplies. These
works derive their inspiration from water’s unceasing ability to change shape
and transform its self. Water is the liquid counterpart of light and seems to
be the element out of which everything can be born.”
Liquid Light opens
on September 8 at 18h30 in the Main Gallery at artSPACE Durban. The gallery is
situated at 3 Millar Road (off Umgeni Road) close to the Waste Centre. More
information on 031 312 0793 or visit www.artspacedurban.co.za or www.artspacedurban.blogspot.com
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