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| Debbie Thompson, Strijdom van der Merwe and Annareth Bolton |
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| Artworks of frames |
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| Unique landscape installation frames 350 years of SA wine |
| 17 July 2009 by GC Communications |
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| World renowned landscape artist, Strijdom van der Merwe, has framed the
South African wine industry! A unique art installation of five gigantic
metal frameworks, each represententing an intrinsic element of
winemaking, has been erected at Simonsig Estate to commemorate the
industry's 350th anniversary.
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Commissioned by the pioneers of numerous
'wine firsts' in the country, Strijdom was given carte blanche by
Simonsig to come up with a
creative exposé of South Africa's winemaking heritage.
The creative concept was a collaborate effort by Strijdom and Neil Stemmet of Koncept Design & Architecture,
which resulted in five bold, four metre high frames, with each sporting Strijdom's signature red colour and depicting
a certain circumstance or component of quality winemaking.
The story board highlights the following elements:
350 years of South African wine, terroir (to highlight Mother Nature's
blessings); hands (celebrating the human aspect of winemaking) flavour
(representing the unique tastes and aromas of wine). The fifth and
final frame pays tribute to Simonsig's multi-awarded Methode Cap
Classique lineage and celebrates the estate's indelible legacy in the
wine and tourism industry.
"This inspiring installation is a vivid portrayal of human and nature intervention when it comes to producing a
truly great wine. It is a cheerful celebration of our country's
winemaking tradition. In a sense it is land art about the art of
winemaking," shares Strijdom.
"Our country's winemaking history lies dear to our hearts as my belated father, Frans Malan, was not only at the
forefront of quality winemaking but introduced numerous innovations
during his career, of which the country's first Methode Cap Classique,
launched in 1971, is probably on of his most significant legacies."
"He was also the co-founder of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes, South Africa's first and foremost wine route,
founded in the same year his bottle-fermented sparkling wine saw the
light," adds Francois Malan, one of the three brothers who own Simonsig
today.
Today the Stellenbosch American Express Wine Routes, home to more
than 150 worldclass wineries, remain the country's most favourite wine
tourism destination amongst local and foreign visitors with some 45% of
all international tourists to the Western Cape having already
experienced the Stellenbosch Winelands.
Strijdom van der Merwe's captivating land art will be on display for the next 350 days. Simonsig Estate
is open for visits and wine tastings from Mondays to Fridays from 8h30
to 17h00, on Saturdays from 8h30 to 16h00 and on Sundays from 11h00 to
15h00.
The estate's signature restaurant, Cuvée, is open on Tuesdays to
Thursdays from 11h00 to 15h00, Fridays and Saturdays from 11h00 to15h00
and 19h00 to 22h00 and on Sundays for lunch.
Simonsig is situated outside Stellenbosch on the Kromme Rhee Road between the R44 and R304.
For more information contact Simonsig Estate on (021) 888 4915 or
for more information about artist Strijdom van der Merwe visit
www.strijdom.co.za.
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