Report

Coming into the modern day, we look at the work of Lizane Louw. Her body of work, namely ‘Elements of Nature’ investigates the changes of the natural environments and our human relationship with nature” (Louw, n.d.). Her inspiration comes from Chinese philosophy, from the Great Plan of Shu-King (Louw, n.d.).  Within this philosophy, the elements are central, although it does not include spirit: 

“The nature of Water is to moisten and descend; of Fire to flame and ascend; of Wood to be crooked and straighten; of Metal to yield and to be modified; of Soil to provide for sowing and reaping” (Carus, 1896, p.209). 

I found her work to be very simplistic but very powerful. The Shu-King philosophies were her foundations. As with the eco-communities, the elements and philosophies surrounding them provide the basis for growth and stability and are foundational to their lifestyles and belief systems. 

In the case of Bego Anton, her photographic work reflects on human relationships with the world around them and concepts of truth, reality and fantasy (ISCP, n.d.). The body of work, ‘The Earth is only a little dust under our feet’ (2018), encompasses all these elements. 

The following images from this project allow us to look at the spiritual side of the community in the area and how their freedom and beliefs would be important to them. Anton quotes one of her subjects, “We have no reason to believe our five senses are enough to see the world” (Anton, 2018).