Monument reflects rebirth
As a seed symbolises growth, a monument erected in Steenbok Nature Reserve on Leisure Island, Knysna, last week will forever represent the rebirth of not only the fauna and flora but also the people of Knysna after June 2017.
The monument was unveiled on Thursday 25 October to great applause and appreciation of members of the Greater Knysna community. One bystander commented that when he explored the monument before the ceremony, he could feel the energy surrounding it, giving him goose bumps.
The Reflection Seedpod, as it is known, is made up of two benches and nine separate “husks”, which together form a seedpod.
Each of these elements, according to creators Gina Potgieter and Jayne Brink, symbolises a specific aspect of either remembrance, reflection or gratitude.
According to Brink, the artwork is 3m in diameter with nine thin blades reaching a maximum of 4m high. “The pod is manufactured for sustainability with a high-quality galvanised steel substructure and a more natural looking, minimal superstructure – laminated wood husks with some fine design elements to finish off the sculpture,” she said. ‘Relief, gratitude and hope’
After many emotionally fuelled speeches from both Brink and Potgieter, as well as Knysna mayor Mark Willemse, Leisure Island Ratepayers Association’s Dave Stromberg and John Noble of Kluyts & Co who brought Brink’s and Potgieter’s concept to life, the monument was officially opened by Willemse. Knysna’s first citizen did not do this by cutting the ribbon as is customary, but by burning through it with a torch.
Brink said the seedpod was symbolic not only of the disaster Knysna went through, but also spoke of what she and Potgieter went through after the fires. “It symbolises our own journey and we can now reflect on the past 16 months with relief, gratitude and hope for the future,” she said.
Willemse said he is truly impressed by the artwork as it is not “just” an artwork but a space you can enjoy, and also reflect on the “actual spiritualism” that it represents.
The idea for the Reflection Seedpod was born out of Brink and Potgieter’s “Seed Shop project” they launched when the fires of June 2017 broke out at their respective businesses – Two on Toast and Madam Botany. “The intention was to bring back some kind of normality to the donation process by setting up a space in which the best of the donated items received were thoughtfully displayed allowing people impacted by the fire to
‘shop’ for what they not only needed but liked. We invented a ‘seed’ currency and each item donated was assigned a number of seeds depending on its assessed retail value. Each household registered received a seed voucher which could be used to buy anything needed or loved on the shelves of the shop,” said Potgieter.
With the residual funds from this venture they were able to build the Reflection Seedpod in memory of the Knysna fires. Symbolism
The two benches, said Brink and Potgieter, represent reflection and gratitude. “Reflecting on what was lost, and gratitude for what was learnt,” they added, with each bench connected to four and five husks respectively.
The nine husks symbolise property – the acknowledgement of homes and possessions destroyed; nature – understanding the effects of the fire on the area’s fauna and flora; livelihood – awareness of the economic impact; life – remembrance of lives lost; energy – appreciation of the time and effort given by so many; generosity – gratitude for the flood of donations and concern from around the world; service – admiration for the work and bravery of emergency services; strength – recognition of the strength of the human spirit; and last but not least, community – pride in Knysna’s sense of community that sprouted in the wake
of the fires.