SEDGEFIELD NEWS - "Sedgefield, your seahorse is coming." These were the words of Masithandane chairperson Jacky Weaver at a special launch event held at the end of last month.
While the primary focus of the event on 31 March was to launch Sedgefield's newly expanded and enhanced mosaic route, Weaver took the opportunity to announce a brand-new project that will be hitting Sedgefield's shores later this year.
This takes the form of a seahorse mosaic sculpture which will be Masithandane and the Sedgefield Mosaic Project's latest addition to the Knysna Art Project.
The outdoor sculpture will be Masithan-Dane's second in this inspired collaboration between Visit Knysna, Knysna Municipality, and the Knysna Art Society.
The aim is to encourage visitors to branch out and explore some of the lesser-known gems that the area has to offer by creating interactive public art installations that provide unique 'Instagrammable' experiences to share on social media.
According to Weaver, the idea for the seahorse came from the community, who have been asking for one ever since the Lovebug project was initiated - an original Volkswagen Beetle parked on the side of the Swartvlei River covered in brightly coloured mosaics.
The concrete work on the spectacular seahorse sculpture has already been completed and the new icon is taking shape behind the scenes. The plan is to launch the installation to the public in time for the Oyster Festival scheduled to take place in July this year.
The seahorse project is also being carried out in conjunction with the Strandloper Project - a local NPO that aims to combat marine pollution in the region.
The founder of the project, Mark Dixon, is excited about the partnership with Masithandane.
"Without a doubt, this is an exciting project and collaboration.
Masithandane has an impressive portfolio of marine fauna included in its public creations and to have them plan for an exhibit which addresses the threat of plastic pollution to ocean health is encouraging," he said. "Together we have brainstormed how to convey the blight of ocean plastic through art and I am excited that Masithandane's creation will be inspirational."
Masithandane's mosaics are of course not new to Sedgefield.
The Sedgefield Mosaic Project began as a skills training and income generation initiative for unemployed members of the community in 2008 and has been uplifting the town with public mosaic works ever since.
By now, whatever you do and wherever you go in Sedgefield, one thing is for certain - you will be enchanted by the vibrant mosaic art that has become such an integral and attractive part of the town's visual fabric.
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