Title: Mapping obsolescence
Year: 2018
Medium: Acrylic, ink and papier-mâché
Measurements: 21cm x 29.7cm
🦏 As promised, I submit to my following IBK: The Second Green Lady's double entry for the Rhinos Are Coming project 2018-2019.
I completed and delivered these designs back on 30th April, and have been eagerly anticipating this moment after the June hand-in deadline expired.
All artists just have to wait to see if they managed to capture the attention of local sponsors, and in July we are notified who made the cut.
If one is selected or sponsored, you receive a blank fibreglass rhino to illustrate, fundraise for the cause and try to make a difference for the survival of a species.🦏
Sponsor or none, I still want to make a conscious effort to raise awareness for this noble initiative against poaching and trophy hunting.
IBK hopes you enjoy the journey with my second and final submission entitled 'Mapping obsolescence'.
In contrast to my other submission for the project, this rhino is much more lavish and ostentatious to attract the spectator’s attention towards three relevant initiatives: The Rhinos are Coming, StopRhinoPoaching and the campaign initiated in 2013 in which pink dye/ poison was drilled into rhinoceros’ horns by The Rhino Rescue Project. Although the latter campaign by the hand of The Rhino Rescue Project was partly photoshopped to digitally make the horn physically pink, it made way for a new way of thinking to cease poachers and illegal trophy hunting. An eye-catching memorable effort and long lasting idea against a practice almost indoctrinated as a must-have luxury in some countries.
Therefore, “Mapping obsolescence” embodies the form of an armoured jewel, a commodity to be extracted and mined, which will one day become depleted and turned into a treasure of the past or faded memory only seen in encyclopaedias. Thus the florescent UV painted horn shining bright in the darkness represents the excellent initiatives that endure to give that spark of pink a shot at conservation and survival of a species. The small amount of pink contrary to the largely golden encompassed figure highlights how lucrative trophy hunting and its illegal trade is from a mere horn.
The Rhino Rescue Project carried out this start-up back in 2013 with 100 rhinoceroses from Sabi Sands Game Reserve, part of Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa. These had their horns drilled and a liquid poison/dye mix was injected to deter poachers. The reason why the outer pink was digitally added instead of physically was to protect the rhinos’ remarkable ability to camouflage themselves, after rolling in dust and wallowing in mud amongst their favourite Acacia and Whistling Thorn shrubs. Since then, other nature reserves and parks have all been treated with similar anti-poaching alternatives as an extra measure, even though unfortunately the dye was rendered useless. The venom within the non-porous and non-absorbent horn was easily extracted and sanded off for illegal consumption. As a result, we should not view this as a failure but as another reason to join forces, raise funds and make a difference. Furthermore, the employment of the pink dial reminiscent of Rhino Rescue Project is everything but frivolous as it means to help guide us through this task and was inspired by the illustrious phrase “life will find a way”,
The golden freestanding rhinoceros is split into halves to distinguish between two locations where relevant subspecies inhabit, both with varying degrees of extinction but nonetheless critically endangered. According to the magnetised dial placed on its forehead, the African Rhino is located on the west/left side of the fiberglass mammal and the Asian counterparts have been positioned on the right/East flank, both areas encapsulated by bronze or old gold looking studs. Although placements of countries are on occasion geographically incorrect the topographical surface on each side has been employed to visually list all the countries where conservation efforts were established by re-introduction programs and anti-poaching campaigns. The map, landscape and compass will feature a slight embossed or engraved effect which can be accomplished with a layered gel and/or textured putty as well as the miniature paw prints scaling up each leg. Each rhino print will be handmade with clay or fiberglass and stuck with a strong adhesive. In addition, a few elements like trees, bush and astral objects such as the sun and moon will be gilded with a golden leaf flare.
The African scenery under a bold romantic sunset, home to the Black Rhino and the White Rhino, features a few examples of the most iconic trees to grace the golden rolling savannahs in central and southern Africa. For instance, Baobab trees prominently at the right shadow over a rhino silhouette; followed by Dragon Blood trees, in the distance at the foot of a majestic mountain, which turn one’s eye to the Quiver tree in the centre middle plane; slightly to the left Marula, Whistling Thorn and Fever trees balance out the composition, and are all framed by an emblematic Leadewood tree edging the landscape away from the mammal’s face.
The larboard subdivision therefore includes: the Black Rhino which dwell in natural sanctuaries and protected re-introduction programs of Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Kenya and Swaziland; and, the White Rhino, confined to drastically dwindling numbers in small highly guarded reserves within South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda and Swaziland with the last male Northern Rhino being reported dead as well as two more rhinos perishing at his wake.
On the reverse side, the Asian equivalents make their stand in luscious swamp pads, a beryl jungle of aurous jade under the moonlight and a much dyer future. The landscape on the right was roughly inspired by the Sal forests, in Chitwan National Park at the foot of the Himalayas, presenting broadleaf flora and subtropical bush typical of the ecoregion which extends from Nepal through to Bhutan and India. A far away land which harbours one of the three Asian subspecies of rhino, the Greater One-Horned Rhino, which is partially aquatic and renowned for its skilful dog paddle to feed underwater when not grazing on land. In the past, Mughal emperors of South Asia would offer Greater one-horned rhino fights against elephants to entertain the crowd. Even though rhinos would often win, this contributed to the unfavourable global attitude against animals as a commodity and, thankfully this sport is no longer permitted which has helped along with anti-poaching initiatives to elevate its current status to vulnerable. Unfortunately, the Sumatran Rhino and Javan Rhino cannot be considered so fortunate with their numbers being reduced to single populations in pockets of Indonesia.
Fewer than a 100 Sumatran rhinos survive in highly fragmented populations, making it the most endangered of all rhinoceroses due to its rapid rate of decline, losing more than 70% of its total demographic in the last 20 years as well as continuing to endure poaching, The species was declared extinct in the wild in Malaysia in 2015, and therefore can only inhabit protected areas where they are physically guarded by Rhino Protection Units. As its name indicates nowadays it can solely be spotted in evergreen tropical forests of Sumatra and is disparagingly dependent on continued protection and captivity breeding efforts for the species’ survival. In a similar situation, the Javan Rhino has recovered a few new members, however since the 1980s the population plateaued and went into a slow but definite deterioration. Counting with a mere 60 specimens in Ujung Kulon peninsular, western Java, this numbered existence seems but a bad dream. since Javan rhinos were once considered common and their territory extended over most of Southeast Asia. Characteristic of their brown colouration, Javan rhinoceroses enjoy wallowing most of the day in mud holes, which they deepen with their hooves and horn to regulate their own body temperature, soothe skin conditions and as a pest control measure against ectoparasites and other insects.
Lastly, this is an interactive design as it actively makes the audience search for my pseudonym signature hidden on the chain of brass studs on the animal’s back, as well as bending a knee to the cause, respecting animal rights and their survival by inspecting the footprint details on each appendage.
As an etymology enthusiast I would like to conclude with the dictionary definition of a pack of rhinoceroses which is called a crash of rhinos. For these animals have to face daily a crash, a clash, a battle and a war for their survival. Like armoured plated soldiers ready for battle they march to make an ironclad stand with human backing against animal objectification to finally break free from this commodity status.
Please follow The Rhinos Are Coming project for updates on the yearly event and LIKE IBK: The Second Green Lady's page for similar content :) 🦏
#SaveTheRhinos #TheRhinosAreComingProject20182019 #Fundraising #TheRhinoRescueProject#StopRhinoPoaching #MappingObsolesence#UVHorn #WhiteRhino #BlackRhino #JavanRhino#SumatranRhino #GreaterOneHornedRhino#Existence #Survival #CriticallyEndangeredSpecies #Protection #Pointillism #CrueltyFree#Art4Life #SaveTheEnvironment #ActivistArt#IBKTheSecondGreenLady
© 2018 IBK: The Second Green Lady. All rights reserved.
I completed and delivered these designs back on 30th April, and have been eagerly anticipating this moment after the June hand-in deadline expired.
All artists just have to wait to see if they managed to capture the attention of local sponsors, and in July we are notified who made the cut.
If one is selected or sponsored, you receive a blank fibreglass rhino to illustrate, fundraise for the cause and try to make a difference for the survival of a species.🦏
Sponsor or none, I still want to make a conscious effort to raise awareness for this noble initiative against poaching and trophy hunting.
IBK hopes you enjoy the journey with my second and final submission entitled 'Mapping obsolescence'.
In contrast to my other submission for the project, this rhino is much more lavish and ostentatious to attract the spectator’s attention towards three relevant initiatives: The Rhinos are Coming, StopRhinoPoaching and the campaign initiated in 2013 in which pink dye/ poison was drilled into rhinoceros’ horns by The Rhino Rescue Project. Although the latter campaign by the hand of The Rhino Rescue Project was partly photoshopped to digitally make the horn physically pink, it made way for a new way of thinking to cease poachers and illegal trophy hunting. An eye-catching memorable effort and long lasting idea against a practice almost indoctrinated as a must-have luxury in some countries.
Therefore, “Mapping obsolescence” embodies the form of an armoured jewel, a commodity to be extracted and mined, which will one day become depleted and turned into a treasure of the past or faded memory only seen in encyclopaedias. Thus the florescent UV painted horn shining bright in the darkness represents the excellent initiatives that endure to give that spark of pink a shot at conservation and survival of a species. The small amount of pink contrary to the largely golden encompassed figure highlights how lucrative trophy hunting and its illegal trade is from a mere horn.
The Rhino Rescue Project carried out this start-up back in 2013 with 100 rhinoceroses from Sabi Sands Game Reserve, part of Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa. These had their horns drilled and a liquid poison/dye mix was injected to deter poachers. The reason why the outer pink was digitally added instead of physically was to protect the rhinos’ remarkable ability to camouflage themselves, after rolling in dust and wallowing in mud amongst their favourite Acacia and Whistling Thorn shrubs. Since then, other nature reserves and parks have all been treated with similar anti-poaching alternatives as an extra measure, even though unfortunately the dye was rendered useless. The venom within the non-porous and non-absorbent horn was easily extracted and sanded off for illegal consumption. As a result, we should not view this as a failure but as another reason to join forces, raise funds and make a difference. Furthermore, the employment of the pink dial reminiscent of Rhino Rescue Project is everything but frivolous as it means to help guide us through this task and was inspired by the illustrious phrase “life will find a way”,
The golden freestanding rhinoceros is split into halves to distinguish between two locations where relevant subspecies inhabit, both with varying degrees of extinction but nonetheless critically endangered. According to the magnetised dial placed on its forehead, the African Rhino is located on the west/left side of the fiberglass mammal and the Asian counterparts have been positioned on the right/East flank, both areas encapsulated by bronze or old gold looking studs. Although placements of countries are on occasion geographically incorrect the topographical surface on each side has been employed to visually list all the countries where conservation efforts were established by re-introduction programs and anti-poaching campaigns. The map, landscape and compass will feature a slight embossed or engraved effect which can be accomplished with a layered gel and/or textured putty as well as the miniature paw prints scaling up each leg. Each rhino print will be handmade with clay or fiberglass and stuck with a strong adhesive. In addition, a few elements like trees, bush and astral objects such as the sun and moon will be gilded with a golden leaf flare.
The African scenery under a bold romantic sunset, home to the Black Rhino and the White Rhino, features a few examples of the most iconic trees to grace the golden rolling savannahs in central and southern Africa. For instance, Baobab trees prominently at the right shadow over a rhino silhouette; followed by Dragon Blood trees, in the distance at the foot of a majestic mountain, which turn one’s eye to the Quiver tree in the centre middle plane; slightly to the left Marula, Whistling Thorn and Fever trees balance out the composition, and are all framed by an emblematic Leadewood tree edging the landscape away from the mammal’s face.
The larboard subdivision therefore includes: the Black Rhino which dwell in natural sanctuaries and protected re-introduction programs of Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Kenya and Swaziland; and, the White Rhino, confined to drastically dwindling numbers in small highly guarded reserves within South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda and Swaziland with the last male Northern Rhino being reported dead as well as two more rhinos perishing at his wake.
On the reverse side, the Asian equivalents make their stand in luscious swamp pads, a beryl jungle of aurous jade under the moonlight and a much dyer future. The landscape on the right was roughly inspired by the Sal forests, in Chitwan National Park at the foot of the Himalayas, presenting broadleaf flora and subtropical bush typical of the ecoregion which extends from Nepal through to Bhutan and India. A far away land which harbours one of the three Asian subspecies of rhino, the Greater One-Horned Rhino, which is partially aquatic and renowned for its skilful dog paddle to feed underwater when not grazing on land. In the past, Mughal emperors of South Asia would offer Greater one-horned rhino fights against elephants to entertain the crowd. Even though rhinos would often win, this contributed to the unfavourable global attitude against animals as a commodity and, thankfully this sport is no longer permitted which has helped along with anti-poaching initiatives to elevate its current status to vulnerable. Unfortunately, the Sumatran Rhino and Javan Rhino cannot be considered so fortunate with their numbers being reduced to single populations in pockets of Indonesia.
Fewer than a 100 Sumatran rhinos survive in highly fragmented populations, making it the most endangered of all rhinoceroses due to its rapid rate of decline, losing more than 70% of its total demographic in the last 20 years as well as continuing to endure poaching, The species was declared extinct in the wild in Malaysia in 2015, and therefore can only inhabit protected areas where they are physically guarded by Rhino Protection Units. As its name indicates nowadays it can solely be spotted in evergreen tropical forests of Sumatra and is disparagingly dependent on continued protection and captivity breeding efforts for the species’ survival. In a similar situation, the Javan Rhino has recovered a few new members, however since the 1980s the population plateaued and went into a slow but definite deterioration. Counting with a mere 60 specimens in Ujung Kulon peninsular, western Java, this numbered existence seems but a bad dream. since Javan rhinos were once considered common and their territory extended over most of Southeast Asia. Characteristic of their brown colouration, Javan rhinoceroses enjoy wallowing most of the day in mud holes, which they deepen with their hooves and horn to regulate their own body temperature, soothe skin conditions and as a pest control measure against ectoparasites and other insects.
Lastly, this is an interactive design as it actively makes the audience search for my pseudonym signature hidden on the chain of brass studs on the animal’s back, as well as bending a knee to the cause, respecting animal rights and their survival by inspecting the footprint details on each appendage.
As an etymology enthusiast I would like to conclude with the dictionary definition of a pack of rhinoceroses which is called a crash of rhinos. For these animals have to face daily a crash, a clash, a battle and a war for their survival. Like armoured plated soldiers ready for battle they march to make an ironclad stand with human backing against animal objectification to finally break free from this commodity status.
Please follow The Rhinos Are Coming project for updates on the yearly event and LIKE IBK: The Second Green Lady's page for similar content :) 🦏
#SaveTheRhinos #TheRhinosAreComingProject20182019 #Fundraising #TheRhinoRescueProject#StopRhinoPoaching #MappingObsolesence#UVHorn #WhiteRhino #BlackRhino #JavanRhino#SumatranRhino #GreaterOneHornedRhino#Existence #Survival #CriticallyEndangeredSpecies #Protection #Pointillism #CrueltyFree#Art4Life #SaveTheEnvironment #ActivistArt#IBKTheSecondGreenLady
© 2018 IBK: The Second Green Lady. All rights reserved.
