#biodiversiteit

Regenboog Zonnedans

Jonathan — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 10:01:35 +0000

Rainbow Sundance

June 2022

Rainbow Sundance is a contemporary, colorful and dynamic translation of the Cramignon. A traditional circle dance that is danced in various places in the municipality of Eijsden-Margraten (South Limburg, Netherlands) and in neighboring Belgian places in Wallonia. A cultural and musical identity as a cross-border lifestyle and connection.

The artwork celebrates the diversity of all the varied life on Earth. For all colors of people, flora and fauna. But also values like inclusiveness (equality), tolerance and solidarity. And without sun, no life. No sun, no rainbow. On the other hand, the universal and powerful symbolism of rainbow and sun refers to hope and happiness. In the background you can see the connecting, undulating landscape with hills, valleys and the river Maas that are typical of this area in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine.

The artworks are created by converting hand-drawn illustrations into a digital design. The designs were then printed on special, thick mother-of-pearl paper with gold foil. The seven works of art are bundled as a total package with a golden ribbon that was used for the artwork Inside the rainbow (you find yourself).

You can frame the artworks as a whole or per element or always carry them with you in your inside pocket or wallet. A gift for yourself, friends, family or for a stranger on the street.

Second series of Kunst-O-Maat
Rainbow Sundance was commissioned by the municipality of Eijsden-Margraten for the second series of artworks of the Kunst-O-Maat. A recycled vintage cigarette machine which can be found in the PLUS supermarket in Eijsden, the Netherlands. It offers a changing collection of eight small works of art specially created for this purpose. The artists live/work in the municipality or used the environment as a source of inspiration.

The works of art are for sale as a total package for a symbolic price of €4 in a limited edition of 35 and signed on the back (verso).

Title: Rainbow Sundance
Location: For sale from July 2022 at the PLUS supermarket in Eijsden, the Netherlands. Address: Cramignonstraat 1, 6245 CP Eijsden, The Netherlands.
Process: March to June 2022.
Quantity: 7 works of art in a limited edition of 35. Total: 245 pieces.
Signed: on the back (verso).
Material: Mother of pearl paper (300 gr), double sided full colour, single sided golf foil, uncoated. Organza glitter (gold: wide 25 mm).
Dimensions: 50mm wide x 85mm high per artwork.
Client: Municipality of Eijsden-Margraten.
Special thanks to: Maureen Bachaus (municipality of Eijsden-Margraten), Laura Selvi and Ward Schoonbrood (Bureau Schoonbrood).
Photos: Maaike Faas (Maaike Schauer Photography).
© Jonathan Wanders

I can't breathe

Jonathan — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 07:59:51 +0000

I can't breathe

October 2021

The artwork 'I can't breathe' is an ambiguous representation of the systemic (systematic) oppression in our (Western) society. The work holds up a mirror to us. We live in an unjust and unequal society. A faulty system. The phrase "I can't breathe" is like a mantra of systemic oppression ending in noise and tragedy. The words are aggressively intertwined like a kind of impenetrable chainmail which makes any dialogue impossible. A chaotic darkness.

The artwork was created by repeating the phrase “I can't breathe” 2020 times. The phrase “I can't breathe” became known worldwide for the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis. Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, died after police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes while he lay handcuffed with his stomach in the street. The event became world news and sparked worldwide protests against racism.

Floyd wasn't the first - or the last - who spoke the words chokingly "I can't breathe", but since his death and subsequent protests, the phrase has taken on a lasting, substantial impact. Floyd's last words did not die with him, but are still heard. Like a persistent, global and noisy echo.

The artwork is about racism in particular and discrimination in general. Making structural and systematic (racial) inequality and mechanisms of exclusion and marginalization visible. Think of current and relevant themes such as: Black Lives Matter, refugees, climate crisis, #MeToo, (bio)diversity, inclusion, but also the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. The sentence “I can't breathe” symbolizes the people who are on a ventilator due to a Covid-19 infection, the earth that is becoming less livable due to the consequences of the climate crisis, and for all people who are oppressed, or excluded on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, etc. People who cannot be themselves. Who cannot be free.

Details
I can’t breathe, 2021
Fine art inkjet print, framed
Dimensions: 40.5 x 32 x 3.5 cm (white wooden frame), 29.7 x 21 cm (A4 Hahnemühle paper)
Limited edition of 25, signed on verso
Price: €450,- (incl. certificate of authenticity)

Title: I can't breathe
Process: May 2020 to October 2021.
Edition: Limited edition of 25.
Paper: Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Bright White, 310 gsm, 100% cotton, bright white, Matt FineArt, smooth.
Print: Inkjet coating produced with Epson UltraChrome Pro ink from Epson SureColor P20000.
Frame: Wood (white), museum glass (Artglass AR 70), foam spacer. Framed by Maaslands Lijstenmakerij (framing), Maastricht.
Dimensions: 40.5 x 32 x 3.5 cm (frame), 29.7 x 21 cm (A4 print).
Signed: on the back (verso). Paper (September 22, 2021), frame (by date of realization frame, first edition: October 7, 2021).
Photos: Jonathan Wanders.
© Jonathan Wanders

Inside the rainbow (you find yourself)

Jonathan — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 13:57:33 +0000

Inside the rainbow (you find yourself)

September 2021

On September 4 and 5, 2021 the art installation Inside the rainbow (you find yourself) could be seen and experienced during the annual art event plateauKUNST in South Limburg, the Netherlands. The event was attended by more than 3000 visitors.

Inside the rainbow (you find yourself) was an exuberant, colorful and universal art project in the outdoor area of the municipality of Eijsden-Margraten. On the one hand, the installation by artist Jonathan Wanders draws attention to relevant issues and developments such as (bio)diversity, inclusivity (equality), tolerance, solidarity and society. On the other hand, it is a symbol of hope and happiness for the future.

Art installation
In the orchard at Gasthuis 67 (Bemelen, NL) a temporary and contemporary installation had been created by stretching satin ribbons around three different fruit trees: a walnut tree, apple tree and plum tree. The satin ribbons consisted of 10 cm wide ribbons in 7 rainbow colors (violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red) and 2.5 cm wide gold ribbons. The colors symbolize the rainbow and the sun. The ribbons connected the three trees at the same height from grass height to 2 m. Since the trees are at a distance of approximately 11 meters from each other, a triangular pavilion of approximately 55 m2 was created. An entrance was realized by 'folding open' one side of the triangle and attaching the ribbons around a wooden pole. There was no nailing or screwing into the trees. The ribbons were folded around the trees and pole, sewn in a loop and attached with Velcro. Because the ribbons were under tension, they stay in place. A straw bale was placed in the middle of the installation on which one could sit.

Diversity and inclusivity (equality)
Inside the rainbow (you find yourself) celebrates the diversity of all life on earth, including the values of inclusivity (equality), tolerance and solidarity (society). This ties in with current topics such as the decline in biodiversity, the Black Live Matters protests and LGBTI+ acceptance. These (social) themes are brought to the attention of a diverse and broad audience in an accessible and positive way. In view of this theme, the universal and powerful symbolism of rainbow and sun has been chosen. The rainbow colors symbolize the diverse and varied life on our earth. For people in all their colours, in all their diversity. And without sun, no life. No sun, no rainbow. The themes of (bio)diversity and equality were emphasized by the location of the art installation in an orchard and because the rainbow connects 3 different fruit trees, lovingly embracing them. Because a rainbow also stands for connection and unity.

Hope and happiness
On the other hand, the art installation is a symbol of hope and happiness for a better and more beautiful future. This refers to another topical issue: the global crisis and the consequences of the coronavirus. In many cultures the rainbow has an important, special and above all positive meaning. It is a universal, connecting, powerful and recognizable symbol.

Interaction and reflection
The art installation interacted (dialogue) with the context as well as with the visitors. The interaction with the context is about greenery, tranquility and natural versus colorful, exuberant and artificial, open versus closed. Although everything has been designed in advance, there is room for chance: wind, (sun)light, leaf growth, fruit development, shadow effect, etc. The interaction with the visitors went deeper: the outside was experienced simultaneously by several people, taking into account approximately 2,500 visitors during the art event. However, the installation itself was only accessible to 1 person at a time. This to experience an ultimate and intimate experience, but also taking into account the Covid-19 measures. The art installation offered a place of reflection and silence, hence the name Inside the rainbow (you find yourself). In the rainbow you can 'find yourself', disconnect from the crowd and crowds, to focus on what makes yourself most happy or what matters to you. This is a reference to the myth of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The symbol of wealth and prosperity. It holds a promise. The true wealth is not the pot of gold, but inner peace, happiness.

The installation was therefore designed as a sacred space, a kind of contemporary church for everyone, where one can stay alone for a while. With tree trunks as columns, a roof of leaves, colorful ribbons as walls and a straw bale on which to sit. The temporary aspect of both the experience and the art installation itself made the entire experience special and fits in well with the ephemeral character of the rainbow.

Ambivalence
An extra substantive, deeper layer was added because with this installation Jonathan explores the ambivalence of our relationship with each other and with nature. Because it is also about contradictions, comparable to the emergence of a rainbow out of opposites. The rain is associated with sadness and misfortune, the sun with joy, prosperity, hope and life. Remember the proverb “After rain comes sunshine”. When these two 'opposites' coincide, an extra dimension becomes temporarily visible: a rainbow.

The art installation Inside the rainbow (you find yourself) was on the one hand interwoven with the context, by literally making the connection and making use of 'what is'. On the other hand, a contrast was created through the exuberant, artificial use of color, the demarcation of part of the open space and by isolating the 3 fruit trees from the group of trees that are in a tight grid. This says something about our relationship with each other and with nature: It's about individual vs group, artificial vs natural, appropriating nature and putting it to one's own hands. Our disconnection from nature. Jonathan finds this ambivalence interesting. It provides food for thought, such as the colors moving and frolicking with each other in the rainbow. As if the colors enter into a dialogue with each other and the environment.

Sensation and perception
The installation is part of Wander's overarching study of sensation and perception: the sensitive experience, dynamics, stratification and interaction (dialogue) between artwork and spectator (participant). For some, the installation is just a beautiful, colorful work, for others it goes deeper and has more meaning. For some it results in a beautiful Instagram photo, for others a moment of reflection by taking a seat on the straw bale in the installation. Both interpretations are equally valuable to Jonathan. One can read the entire explanation or choose to enter the installation and just experience it.

Rainbow
The rainbow (with sun) is a recurring theme in Jonathan's works. Besides being a universal symbol for values Jonathan believes in and is committed to, such as diversity, equality, tolerance and solidarity, the rainbow also has a personal aspect. Jonathan, like his son David, is a rainbow baby.

News

Review art installation ‘Inside the rainbow (you find yourself)’ - plateauKUNST 2021 (selection) // 21 Oktober 2021 (read the complete NL review here)
Catalog plateauKUNST 2021 (selection, NL) // 4 and 5 September 2021 (watch the complete catalog here)

Title: Inside the rainbow (you find yourself)
Location: Orchard at Gasthuis 67, 6268 NN Bemelen (NL), along the street Franse Steeg. The installation was publicly accessible.
Process: April to August 2021
Period: Weekend of 4 and 5 September 2021, during plateauKUNST art event.
Material: Double-sided satin ribbon (violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red: 100mm wide) and organza glitter (gold: 25mm wide). Wooden pole and straw bale.
Dimensions: Triangular installation with sides of approx. 11 m and a height of 2 m. Surface is approx. 55 m2.
Financing: Municipality of Eijsden-Margraten (Verenigt U) and the Province of Limburg.
Sewing work: Joyce van den Goor (Pretzl Cosplay).
Special thanks to: Evelyne Wanders-Schreurs, Marc Heusschen, Jacinta Kreuger, Joyce van den Goor (Pretzl Cosplay) and Wanda Reiff (PlateauKUNST). Thanks to Dimphy Oberjé and family Bovens for the hospitality and making part of the orchard available for the installation. Thanks to Joep van der Linden (Eyserhof vacation homes) for making the straw bale available.
Photos: Ralph Sluysmans, Marc Heusschen, Jonathan Wanders.
© Jonathan Wanders