La Reunion, melting pot of the Indian Ocean.
Four huge screens convey my experience on the Island. Each focsuing on the basic elements of water, air, fire and earth. The Island is described as the melting pot on the Indian Ocean, the fusion of so many cultures, languages, religions and languages.
Fire from the volcano, from the beachside fires, from the incense candles, from the last lazy rays of the fiery sun every night.
Water surrounds us, the Indian Ocean too dangerous to go above the knee, and yet great for surfing and diving if you can stay clear of the sharks. Water from the mountainside, from the skies, torrential downpours, waterfalls . Water to quench thirst and give life in such hot climate.
Earth so red, so brown, so sandy, so rocky, the life blood of the island where every home nurtures and grows.
Air so sweet from the ocean, streets rich with the scent of flowers and fruits bowing the trees in abundance, smells of creole food cooking, fires burning, incense cleansing, the smell of hot bodies on the busy buses, the smells of the markets, the breeze from the south, the tranquil cool air of the mountains.
The process of making engaged the elements – heated, blown, blasted, slopped and pushed, seperated and fused, soaked and baked in the intense sun. Each canvas was mounted onto huge wooden frame and lit from within – Each placed in the centre of the huge exhibition space.
‘Fusion’ Expo at ESA La Port, La Reunion February 2016
Su Nicholls, Fine Art NUA, Carmen Ballit, Graphic DesignNUA, Marta Perez Vera & Joana Mollà, Fine Art, Spain, Johannes Feres, Documentary Photography, Germany
The title ‘Fusion’ for the exhibition, a word which is the same in French, English, Spanish and German.
Fusion physically for the Island – a land mass created by volcanic activity, with what is now considered to be the most active volcano in the world.
Fusion on Reunion Island of the many religions, cultures, races and creeds, the melting pot. Fusion of language on the Island of French and Creole spoken in many different accents, and the fusion between the Erasmus group of spoken French Spanish and English. Fusion of this group of visiting Artists, and our fusion within the society and School here. Fusion of skills, techniques and practices within our work individually and collectively. The wider considerations of Fusion of education, society, language, science, food, politics, community.
This title and lively exhibition bought together the work of 5 different Artists, and served as reflection of our six months in La Reunion, looking at the Island through our eyes – not as tourist or short term visitor, but as inhabitants or as aliens, looking at our fusion into the ‘community and society, and our feeling of ‘outsider’.