An
Overview of the exhibit, African Visions
Produced by Willis Peterson
“African
Visions,” is an intimate, detailed visual experience of East Africa. The
plethora of wildlife leaves one to wonder what the plains and veldt was like
100 years go. Coupled with the animals there are some very nice scenics,
usually not seen in many ecological reviews of Africa. A collection of bird
portrayals, many times overlooked are included.
Actually,
“African Visions” is a two part show. The other portion, “The Many Faces of the
Maasai,” is intricately intertwined with the wildlife for they live side by
side. How long that will last into this new century is a question of great
importance to East Africa. Tourist dollars are the largest source of revenue
for Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and other countries. Proliferation of humanity
and vanishing environment are at odds.
The
exhibit asks the question, how much longer will the great proliferation of
wildlife be able to withstand the expansion of the indigenous peoples (Maasai) and
other tribes? Modernity casts a strange side light. During our last visit the
government announced that the more primitive peoples riding public
transportation must wear some sort of under garments under their robes or
cloaks, or could not come into town without. Humorous yes, but the fact is that
the Maasai still live in another world. The more cattle a clansman might
garner, the more wives he is expected to have. Hence the more children, the
more they can watch over the cattle. Several images of blood letting where an
arrow is shot into the jugular vein and the blood caught in a gourd are shown
in the exhibit.
There are
about 110 images in the “African Visions” show, ranging in size from 11 x 14
inches to 24 x 30 inches; all are mounted with metal gold colored frames.
Willis
Peterson
1415 Abbey
Road, SouthClarkdale, AZ 86324
