WORLD WATCH
Amazing images that celebrate the beauty and diversity of the incredible world we all share.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY
A woman walks through a grass artwork by French land artist Saype at the Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, Turkey. It’s the latest installation by the artist, who is known for creating murals on vast stretches of grass. This work forms part of his ‘Beyond Walls’ project, which he started in 2019 with the intention of creating the largest ‘human chain’ in the world. Over the next several years, he will create works for the project in more than 30 cities around the globe. So far, his images of grasping hands have appeared in Paris, Andorra, Geneva, Berlin, Ouagadougou, Yamoussoukro and Turin. Among his credentials are his having been the first artist to ever be allowed to create work on the famous Champs de Mars lawns, beneath the Eiffel Tower.
Saype, real name Guillaume Legros, often addresses social conflicts in his works and with ‘Beyond Walls’ he hoped to create a symbol of togetherness. “I think we are living through a moment in humanity where the world is becoming polarised, and part of the population is choosing to withdraw into itself,” he says.
Saype creates his works using a completely biodegradable and eco-friendly airbrush paint, which is his own invention. The artist, who was formerly a nurse, is self taught, and started his artistic career by painting black-and-white scenes in underground train stations. Since then, he has turned to creating giant works that are best seen by drones. His works last only a few days before they disappear into the lawn.
KANGAROO ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
Pygmy possums are held on Kangaroo Island, Australia. The Tasmanian pygmy possum (on the right), is the world’s smallest species of possum, weighing just seven grams. There were fears all Tasmanian pygmy possums on the South Australian island had perished in last summer’s devastating bushfires. But conservation organisation Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife found this little pygmy after a survey of 20 fauna sites. It’s the first documented record of the species surviving almost a year after the fires ravaged the island. The fire burnt through around 88 per cent of the species’ predicted range.
Almost half of Kangaroo Island was burnt in December and January, during a bushfire season dubbed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison as “black summer”. Two people died and almost 90 homes were destroyed on the island. Thousands of hectares of native habitat were lost, many animals perished and several endangered species have been severely affected.
Fauna ecologist Pat Hodgens told Guardian Australia the little pygmy possum is “highly compromised as a species”. “They’re still not out of the woods because right now they’re at their most vulnerable – as the bushland regenerates they’re still very exposed to natural and introduced predators,” he said, adding that it’s too early to understand the impact on many species on the island. “There’s still a whole lot of species where we don’t know how their populations have fared during the fires and we don’t know how they’re going to fare in the long term.”
LOPBURI, THAILAND
British musician Paul Barton plays the piano for monkeys in Lopburi, Thailand. With Thailand’s tourism on pause amid the COVID-19 pandemic, monkeys that relied on visitors to give them food have become more aggressive, and so Thailand resident Barton has taken it upon himself to soothe these anxious monkeys with his calming classical music. Hoping to raise awareness of the monkeys’ hunger at a time when funds towards their welfare have also been reduced, Barton is also using the opportunity to study the monkeys’ behavioural responses to classical music. “I was surprised to play the piano and find that they were actually eating the [sheet] music as I was playing it, and pulling the stool to pieces. But I wasn’t going to let those things distract from the project which is to play the music for these wonderful macaques,” he says.
Monkeys are a new audience for Barton, but they aren’t his first animal onlookers, the musician having previously played for elderly and injured elephants at retirement sanctuaries. After serving as the inspiration for his artist wife’s sculptures, Barton fell in love with the elephants who posed for her work, and when she asked how he wanted to celebrate his 50th birthday, Barton said he would like to play for the elephants. “It’s a huge privilege to be surrounded by these wonderful creatures; a guest in their country, a guest in their home,” says Barton. “Just sitting still at the piano with them close by, listening or otherwise, is an unforgettable experience.”