'PRECIOUS CIRCLE' (1989-1994)

In 1989, I conceived the idea of ‘Precious Circle’. This was in direct contrast to the ‘vicious circle’, which was unfolding in South Africa at that stage and all the negative events portrayed in the South African press on a daily basis, over a long period of time.

It is intrinsic to my nature to try and salvage something from even the most sombre scenarios, by discovering the positive aspects to it.

After days of deep thought and introspection, I decided to make the ‘enemy’ my ‘friend’!  From now on, instead of criticizing what I read in the Press, or allowing it to influence my psyche, I would take responsibility for what I focused on and what I thought.  My philosophy was that my ‘new’, positive thoughts would influence my actions and following that, my actions would influence society.  This idea, multiplied, could change a complete society as we know it! Daily I became more passionate and energized as I realized the tremendous and far-reaching potential and transforming energies, of ‘Precious Circle’.

Every single day, I made clippings of the positive headlines reflected in South African newspapers and magazines.  These words were eventually sorted into different categories.  Aesthetic collages where then created from these clippings, each portraying a different inspirational theme, such as ‘happiness’, ‘hope’, ‘winning’, ‘beauty’, ‘peace’, ‘dreams’, ‘religion’, ‘morality’, ‘joy’ and ‘peace’.

    

When I started the project, events were unpredictable and the scenario was changing so rapidly, that no one knew with certainty, what the future would hold. At this stage, Nelson Mandela was still in jail.

Although I had no idea where the project was leading me to, I had absolute faith in its power to transform and attract, as I was gradually becoming aware of unexpected and increasing ‘blessings’ that were manifesting in my life.  One such ‘blessing’ was an unexpected invitation to present a retrospective exhibition at the Schloss Ettlingen, in Germany, 1991.  (Up to now, hardly a pipe–dream for even the most well-known South African artists)  I was developing an uncanny conviction that my ‘daily ritual’ was positively ‘magnetizing’ me.

During a very bleak period in South African History, ‘Precious Circle’ became my personal contribution to finding sparks of hope, by literally ‘reading between the lines’.  I was totally committed to perform my daily task until I received a definite ‘sign’ to discontinue my daily practice.

Every day, with painstaking attention to detail, sheer perseverance and almost superhuman effort and discipline, I continued my quest.

Sometimes, out of sheer desperation, I would take a negative word such as ‘unhappy’, cut off the ‘un’ and triumphantly preserve the ‘happy’ and likewise ‘unlucky’ would become ‘lucky!
Concentrating on the ‘positive’ and ‘optimistic’ in a time such as this was like a continuous prayer or meditation and it brings to mind the words of Chagall: ’Work is my prayer’. ‘Precious Circle’ documents the hopes, dreams and aspirations of a whole society caught up in a process of inevitable change, during a crucial time in South African history.  Although ‘Precious Circle ‘has a timeless and universal message, it is vital to contemporary history and its power lies in its simplicity.

A strong sense of color and balance marks each of the thought provoking collages of which the end result reminds one of a carefully constructed puzzle, where the smaller parts fit together perfectly.

The events of May 10, 1994 (the day Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as President), was ‘the sign’ that I was waiting for! Miraculously, the newspapers of 10 May and 11 May reflected and contained all the positive words I had been searching for, for the past 6 years!  At last, the ‘Circle’ had completed itself, resulting in 50 collages, spanning a monumental 22 meters.
During June and July of 1994, I held an unusual dual exhibit at the Pretoria Art Museum.  The one part consisted of a long wall where ‘PRECIOUS CIRCLE’ took pride of place and the second, complimentary exhibit was titled: ’DRAWING ATTENTION TO TRANSFORMATION & REGENERATION’. The latter consisted of a series of drawings and watercolors reflecting the internal and external process of change experienced by every South African. ’REBIRTH’ was included in this remarkable series.  It symbolizes the opposing forces, which are reconciled in Nelson Mandela.

A museum official coaxed me into entering a competition for the ‘United Nations Art and Philatelic Award’.  ’Rebirth’ was the winning piece and thereby miraculously propelled me into joining the ranks of Dali, Chagall, Miro, Warhol and Vasarely, (some of the previous contributors).

From this experience I have learned that ‘luck’ is: when being prepared, meets with opportunity.

The 50th and last collage, created entirely from all the positive words as reflected in the press on 10 May and 11 May 1994.
Fine art prints are available
contact Aleta: aleta@aletamichaletos.com
website: www.aletamichaletos.com

'IDYLLIRIUM'

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‘IDYLLIRIUM’ 
2005/6

1.3 m x 4.5 m
Oil on board
Sold
 

‘The idyllic, frozen in a moment of ecstasy'

Up to date, ‘IDYLLIRIUM’ is the most ambitious of my ongoing body of work, ‘Translucence: Les Filles et Garcons’, where the delicate and translucent application of paint, becomes the perfect vehicle to express fluid and feminine forms and imbue them with a feeling of the ethereal.

This panel is a tribute to femininity. 22 females are depicted and the spectator’s eye is gradually led by the rhythmic and sensual lines formed by their beautiful shapes which result in a haunting yet serene visual melody. The nymphs are oblivious to the indulgence of the spectator and we in turn get a secret glimpse into their private world. Only one of the nymphs, with only her arms visible, dares to have eye contact. 

Nude figures posses ambivalent meanings and imply ambiguous emotions and when the contemplator is confronted with the revealed human forms in ‘IDYLLIRIUM’, the attitude is that of NUDITAS VIRTUALIS = purity and innocence.

Heavy but subtle patterning, inspired by Oriental motifs, contrast with the simplicity of the figures.

Five separate pieces, each measuring 1.3m x 0.9m, are attached to each other, so as to result in the monumental ‘IDYLLIRIUM' that spans a total of 4.5 meters. The ‘feast of females’ - adolescent, delicately boned, blond or brunette, as well as those who are more generously proportioned and sensual, personify the wonderful variety of beauty and femininity to be found in diverse cultures. Some have the angular lines of an Art Deco bronze or ivory figure, whereas others possess the soft sensuality of the ultra-feminine Art Nouveau sirens.

Traces of the subtle influence of Botticelli and Alphonse Mucha, both childhood passions, are suggested.

This freeze is an ode to a place where perfect harmony and beauty exists, where nothing can disturb or disrupt - a Shangrila. 

www.aletamichaletos.com