ALCHEMY - TRANSFORMATION

'To transform yourself into a golden being, 

 

you have to feed on the gold 

 

which can be found absolutely everywhere.

 

However, the simple secret to achieve success, 

 

is that you have to be hungry enough to look for it 

 

and more than willing to eat it!'

 

 

 

  Concept & photography: ALETA MICHALETOS

  Copyright © 2015 ALETA MICHALETOS All Rights Reserved

RESTRICTIONS

Even though I may not want to go anywhere
and even though I may not need to go somewhere,
I deeply resent it when any one creates an obstruction,
or imposes a restriction, on my freedom of movement.

The reason dungeons, airless cellars, jails and penitentiaries were invented, was for the sole purpose of forcibly and severely restricting the movement and comfort of wrongdoers and criminals and punishing them in an inhuman way.

The implementation of the restrictive laws of Apartheid, are therefore the cruelest and most inhumane one could imagine, as they were not based on whether you were a law-abiding citizen or not, but entirely based upon the shade of your skin. 

Being in a continuous and lifelong psychological and physical stranglehold with no hope of ever being released for 'good behavior', must certainly have been the most soul crushing existence anyone could ever hope for. 

It is our moral responsibility to ensure that our law makers and all future legislation, always protect the dignity of all law abiding citizens.

Copyright © 2015 ALETA MICHALETOS

SURVIVAL

SURVIVAL

The velvet glove
must transform the gentle hand
into an iron fist......

 

PAYING ATTENTION & ANTICIPATION

PAYING ATTENTION & ANTICIPATION

(revival/resurrection/restoration/renaissance)

It commences when you keep on keeping things in mind.....

and then eventually welcome the neglected connection, by opening the door.....

following that, you are drawn to touch, handle, explore, cleanse, caress and restore....

as you remember sweetly and recollecting, feel that attraction and fondness and what it was that inflamed the initial surge of desire....

Things interact and connect in fresh and previously un-imagined ways.

Newly resurrected and restored, who knows what will follow, now that all these suppressed and neglected atomic energies have been set loose and now restlessly lurk in anticipation?

www.aletamichaletos.com

BEST INTENTIONS

'What is more delightful for an artist, than to squeeze paint from a brand new tube?
However, your best intentions cannot prevent tubes of paint to eventually become and look grubby and indeed it becomes rather distasteful to look at and touch them.
Despite this justifiable distaste, there's still an enormous reservoir of life and beauty hidden in their lead caskets and it's entirely up to you, the Art Alchemist and your steadfast resolve, to coax the treasures of Tutankhamen out, up and into the light, much to the delight of mankind.'


www.aletamichaletos.com

VISION

Why must the wheel be re-invented?

I am attracted to people with vision, ethics, discipline and compassion.

Over the years, I've come to realize that very few individuals even 'see', 'look' or 'observe' properly and that expecting them to 'have vision' was indeed a tall order.

Unfortunately it is very seldom that people with vision involve themselves in politics and consequently humanity has bungled along as far back as history stretches. This is much to the frustration of clear and fair thinkers and the detriment and continuous, unnecessary suffering, of everyone living on this planet. 

 

Alarmingly, even our planet is being abused through the short-sighted greed and lack of vision, as clearly demonstrated by individuals and especially conglomerates.

The widening gap between the rapid escalation of Science and the crumbling, degeneration and decay of social structures and daily life (applauded by our dismal leaders), is striking and dangerous.

I don't think politicians should be voted into office to represent a specific political party. The primary aim should be to source the most competent individual for the job, one who has the necessary attributes and qualifications to steer and inspire their citizens, so that their countries can peacefully flourish. They should have the all over capacity to hold their office with dignity and humility. 

A similar procedure of intense scrutiny, should be followed and applied, as that which is used when a potential applicant applies for any responsible job in the marketplace.  After all, the all-over health of a company or institution, is dependent on the abilities and character of the potential applicant. 

Applying this method for the leadership of a country. would necessitate that the individual be subjected to a stringent set of psychological, moral, intelligence and managerial tests and skills. Their honesty and a clean criminal record, should be checked through intense background inquiries and be the primary prerequisite, to even qualify as a potential prospect.

It's ridiculous and downright insane to allow individuals who have been 'elected by the majority' (of what?) to wreck the present and the future of whole countries and regions, through their own greed, incompetence and hidden agendas.

Is it rocket science to learn from the mistakes of the past?

Is the threat of any form of destruction or loss of systems and institutions, to be tolerated and why should it? Are we not only passive spectators but also enabling the perpetrators? Systematic and visible destruction cannot and may not be labeled as democracy.

Currently there is a total lack of discipline, dignity and respect. Moral values do not seem to have been considered at all when appointing a leader, even though they should be the ones who must set an impeccable example to society at large.

How is outright poverty and suffering condoned when there is proof of abundant resources and excess and one is confronted with flagrant waste?

Rising prices fueled only by greed and excessive and escalating company profits, is a sure recipe for a revolution. The critical mass is not far away....

 

Who is fueling the fires? I say, root them out. Zero tolerance for the destructive, the criminal and the undisciplined.

Please reconsider the folly of dragging our feet in the courts and being unnecessarily tolerant of scoundrels and criminals while we waste valuable resources and time, as things spiral into anarchy. Crystal clear problems, should be dealt with promptly.

At the first sign of incompetence and devious ways, an unsuitable candidate should be immediately relieved of his responsibilities and stripped of all future financial rewards.

Wake up! Warning signs have been with us for a long time and it seems as if society has become immune and immobilized. Break free of the cocoon we have spun ourselves into.

 

Resist. Demand a plausible future which promotes and cherishes freedom, justice, safety, security, work, respect, morality and access to basic amenities, for all. 
A man who lacks hope is desperate, impressionable by anyone offering a fake future and false promises... he has nothing to lose...... 

 

The least we should insist on, is confidence in and respect for ethical leaders who live in integrity and confidence in our collective future.

-Aleta Michaletos 

BABELSE VERWARRING

BABEL

 
Wanneer mens ure lank in afsondering voor jou esel staan, is dit noodsaaklik en ook verfrissend, om af en toe 'n draai te gaan stap in die veld. 

 
Hierdie tyd van die jaar bekoor my in besonder...
dis Gouelokkies weer... nie te warm nie en ook nie te koud nie...

 
Ek loop toe na 'n ruk die Tarentaalhen raak, waar sy langs die pad met haar 8 spruite drentel. Ek was verras om te sien hoe groot hulle geword het sedert ek hulle laas gewaar het.

Die ma het penregop op aandag 'cavey' gehou, terwyl haar kroos sonder 'n 'worry' in die wereld als wat voorkom geskrop en verslind het. 

 
...en daar kom dit, die geluid wat so tipies Afrika is, die klomp begin met mekaar te babbel en toe wonder ek, verstaan iemand dalk Tarentaal taal? - Aleta Michaletos

CAPTIVITY

There's a chasm between 'taking care of' and 'captivity'.

'BUTTERFLIES & LIES'

'BUTTERFLIES & LIES'

Have you noticed how they dip their wings to tantalize and tease and brush their soft velvety skin against yours.... adoringly they admire your uniqueness, your delicate shape, your scent and intoxicating colors. 
They dart this way and that, blinding you as they flutter their colorful wings against the sun.
At last, you relent and share your sweet and precious nectar......
and then....while still languishing in the attention and affection, they instantly withdraw and disappear!
No, they have not left....in awe, you watch them perform a similar ritualistic dance with the flower beside you....
This is natures way with butterflies and the flowers that attract them.....

PRECIOUS INDEED.....

PRECIOUS CIRCLE & THE MANDELA'S RETURN HOME

MIXING (FAMILY) BUSINESS & PLEASURE 

On the 5th November 2013, (exactly one month before Mandela passed away) I delivered 54 art pieces for my solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum. 

PRECIOUS CIRCLE: 50 Pieces
The trio of Mandela portraits:
REBIRTH 
GOD BLESS MADIBA &
MANDALA MANDELA 
& an oil titled:
UNITED AT LAST IN THE CAUSE OF PEACE 

 Now, 3 years later, on the 5th January 2016, my daughter Saskia, graciously offered to help me pack and transport them back home. We hardly have time to visit each other and this was one of her rare days off duty. Her two boys, William and Andrew were on vacation and it was an ideal time for the 4 of us to spend a chunk of time together, the boys to have a cultural boost and some urgent work to get done.  

5 November 2013 
The museum assistant, Jackson, wheels in the work.
Photographer:Aleta Michaletos  

  

5th January 2016

No playing around when you need to get things done. 
Slowly but surely getting there
Photographer: Saskia Botha

5th January 2016

Who needs to work out at a gym?
Getting stuck into meters and meters of packaging material....
Photographer: Saskia Botha

 

5th January 2016

Who ever said being an artist means glamour or being able to spend all your time in front of an easel? It's all lot's and lots of hard work....
Photographer: Saskia Botha

5th January 2016
At last, after 3 solid hours of hard labor, all is finally ready
to be gently moved to our vehicles and then carefully transported back home.
Photographer: Saskia Botha

5th January 2016
Always happy and smiling, Saskia 
Photographer:Aleta Michaletos

5th January 2016
William, eager to help with the precious delivery 
Photographer:Aleta Michaletos

5th January 2016
Andrew carefully carries his parcel, proudly sporting an improvised Superman Cape, made from packaging material.

Photographer:Aleta Michaletos

PRECIOUS CIRCLE - youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hu6GdfQDAA