QuantumSpaces

The Swahili word SAFARI means "journey," and derives from the Arabic SAFAR meaning "trip," "tour," or "travel.

The series SAFAR was made in southern and central Africa during the last decade. Experiencing different cultures and their relationshipwith the world that surroundsthem has been an education in conservation and preservation, politics, economics, and the struggles between manmade and naturaldisasters.

Along the way, one must learn the linguistic differences between Zulu and Xhosa, Kenyan Swahili and Zanzibari Swahili; use whatever working knowledge can be mustered of French and Portuguese; figuring out the exchange rates between Zambian Kwachaand TanzanianShillings; most of all, ignoring fear when flying in two-seat propellor planes, riding in a rundown 4x4 truck, on horseback, or simply walking among wild animals...

These images weremade in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. The intention was to show the historical and cultural relationship between the wild and the domesticated, tradition and progress. They don't show a utopian landscape free of human intervention, but rather a land in conflict with progress. These images are about the clash between tradition and economics. They portray cultures deeply affected by colonialism and corruption, and a resilient environment inhabited by people and animals fighting to survive. There is beauty to be seen, if one pauses for long enough so it can reveal itself.