In consideration of Earth Day (22nd April), courtesy of the Friends of Iziko South African National Gallery, here is another thought-provoking AFI film that not only looks to the AFI theme (language) but also the relationship between humankind and the planet.
Artists’ Films International (AFI) is a partnership of 21 public art institutions around the world which the Friends joined for 2020. Each of the AFI partners nominates a film by an artist from their region, the partners show every nominated film during 2020. This year’s theme is “language”.
Ailbhe Ni Bhriain – Inscriptions (One Here Now)
In the film the interior of a quarry is panned, tracing the deep-time of geological sequences as revealed by the scars from excavation. Ailbhe Ni Bhriain’s Inscriptions (One Here Now) can be viewed as a metaphor of the Anthropocene, the current era in which human behaviour dominates and shapes the environment.
But the phrase in the title, One Here Now, cannot help but evoke the current pandemic. In this way, we are also reminded that despite our dominance humanity is still vulnerable to nature in its incomprehensible vastness and randomness.
Click on the image above to view this and the other 5 films profiled to date – including the work of the Friends’ nominated artist Lerato Shadi. We will need to take the films down when lockdown ends.
To round things off, join the Iziko social media challenge #MaterialsMatterChallenge
WHERE: In the comfort of your own home #MuseumFromHome
WHEN: Whenever it suits you – Earth Day celebration is unofficially extended this year
HOW: View HERE
See also Cape Town Green Map
