The Rhino Project at The Howling Owl Cafe

The Rhino Project at The Howling Owl Cafe

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Posted 2017-08-11 by Jo Harrisfollow

Wed 09 Aug 2017 - Sun 10 Sep 2017



It's pretty safe to say that many would recognise what is commonly called Dürer's Rhinocerus, created by German painter and printmaker Albrecht Dürer in 1515, even if they don't know the details of the work.

This image was created from imagination, from a brief sketch with a description by an anonymous artist who had seen an Indian rhinoceros in the city of Lisbon, Portugal. This rhino had been sent as a gift to the Pope by the king of Portugal, but it died in a shipwreck off the coast of Italy in 1516.

Dürer's woodcut became very popular in Europe and was frequently copied. Until well into the late 18th century, it was regarded by Westerners as a true representation of a rhinoceros.

Now, eight members of the Bittondi Printmakers Association have honoured Dürer's legendary drawing and printmaking skills in the Rhino Project. It's a collaborative exercise that references his image on a rather large scale, using six different printmaking media.



You might notice that Bittondi's rhino faces in the opposite direction to Dürer's original. This is because the image is based on a facsimile copy, which, unlike Dürer's work, is actually an engraving, not a woodcut. The engraving was the work of Enea Vico, produced in 1548.

Artists Camilo Esparza, Geoff Gibbons, Amanda Hassett, Judith Klavins, Mary Pulford, Kate Toop, Julia Wakefield and Wendy Wright each produced an A4 sized section of the final image.



Their aim is not only to share Durer's story of Rhinocerus, but at the same time, bring to the viewer's consciousness, the terrible plight of many of the world's critically endangered species, under threat from human intervention, and the effects of climate change.

In addition, the project showcases the diverse contemporary forms of a craft that dates back to long before the invention of the printing press (woodcuts were being produced in China in the second century AD).

The framed Rhino print is now on show in the upstairs foyer at The Howling Owl Café until September 10. A limited edition of unframed Rhinos is also available for sale: price on application.
Bittondi Printmakers Association Inc is a non-profit, community-based visual arts organisation. One of its primary aims is the promotion, to the local and wider community, of printmaking as an art form, by sharing information and skills through workshops and other activities.
The Howling Owl is located just off Rundle St, next door to the famous Urban Cow gallery.

By day, it is a licenced café, boasting a 100% locally sourced menu, with a range of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan items. By night, it is a cocktail bar, showcasing 80 small batch gins from around the world, including Kangaroo Island gins infused with native botanicals.

#adelaide_city
#art
#exhibitions
#free
#greater_adelaide
#august
#september
!date 09/08/2017 -- 10/09/2017
%wnadelaide
200434 - 2023-06-16 04:58:41

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