Nicholas Hester

An ArtReach co-production

02.06.21 - 08.07.21

Long gallery

LIVE BEES! is a research project and contemporary art exhibition that assesses the human impact on natural environments and how, as a consequence, this affects bees. The project strategy involves responsibly working with bees to collect pollen and honey from specific areas in the Tsitsikamma region. Samples are then analysed in a laboratory to look for any agricultural chemicals that are present to create an understanding of the chemical composition of our environment. Unexpectedly the lab analysis revealed zero contamination in these samples.

The samples collected in a radius around the hive comprise a representation of the landscape from the bees' perspective. Photographs of samples in a Petri-dishes are presented as 12 framed prints. The sculpture transmits a live audio feed from a hive on the roof of the gallery into the exhibition space. This artwork attracts audiences to the mesmerizing sounds that bees make inside their hive during different activities, to experience being close to bees.

This project will find its second iteration at Nirox Foundation and 58 Farm in the Cradle of Humankind later this year.

This project is also supported in part by the National Arts Council.