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These films, set in and around a small village in Croatia, record the changes that are rapidly occurring around us.
Nature knows best. It is a pity that the Croacian government do not do more to support and regenerate the Croacian rural economy. I’ve always promoted the principle of local production for local need 🇭🇷🌾👨🌾🐐🐄🐖🐓🐮
I couldn't agree more. We had mains water pipes laid some three year ago and we are still waiting, despite being situated between two rivers and all the neighbouring villages having mains water. i guess they think our little corner not worth the effort!
Andrew, my friend, without people like you trying to reclaim these wonderful ponds, it would be very sad. What an effort you made, though well done 👏 It was not a failure at all.
Thank you, Kevin, sometimes we must just accept that nature has a better understanding of what needs to be done. But, as I have said before, it has been an amazing project. I have not given up on it, not at all, just that I recognise that it is transitioning to the next phase. I will continue monitoring it and observe the direction it want to go in.
There is a sadness here that your efforts to help nature (the nylon took the place of cows trampling) have seemingly failed. But she did reward you with wonderful opportunities to see her at work in other ways. However, there is also the joy that comes from seeing you three men working together as equals, and you are, of course ,no longer a stranger, but a community member of equal standing. No mean feat. Such a shame that the community grows ever smaller. I haved long held a great respect for Tona, and now there is a new name for me to try and remember. You are indeed blessed with such good friends Andrew. Long may it be so.
Absolutely, Tihomir is my immediate neighbour and the three families at our end of the village have become more sociable in recent years. I am sad about the dew pond but this is by no means the end of the story completely. I'll still maintain the pond and make my observations, and of course still find it a subject for painting.
Yes, it really is a great mystery, Bonny. Its been a fantastic project, and maybe I came out more enriched by it with a greater appreciation of the cycle of life and the various obstacles that creatures have to face. But.....I'm not giving up yet. This is just the next phase, whatever that will be! Thanks so much for accompanying me on this wonderful journey.
Thank you, Michael, I'll still visit the dew pond regularly, since it is just up the road, and clear it out when too many leaves swamp it. And I'll still find it a wonderful source of inspiration. I'm really appreciative of your joining me on this journey!
It's hard to keep the life of the Dew pond going when there's no cattle to tamp the Base down. At least you made it live again and recorded it's beauty.
Indeed, Nigel, its been quite sad for me but my investment has not been wasted. It's been a real education, not to mention an inspiration, and I'll continue to maintain the pond and monitor its progress. I'm really happy that you were part of the journey but I think you will agree that sometimes one has to acknowledge that nature is really in control.
Jasna je pisala. Jako, jako tužna vijest. Iskrena sućut obitelji. On i njegova supruga su divni ljudi i to je veliki gubitak za obitelj i za cijelo selo. Puno puta smo od njih dobili nešto domaćih proizvoda. Od njih smo takodjer dobili i nekoliko sadnica šparoga i dan danas svako proljeće uživamo u ovom ukusnom povrću. Uvijek ćemo ga se sjećati kao dobrog i dragog čovjeka! 😥
Another moving tribute, Andrew. There have been too many, and , with each one, another little piece of the traditional village life dies. I spotted the name Fuduric on one of the graves, which has a personal resonance to me for reasons you know well. BUT your tributes will ensure these good folk will not be forgotten, and future generations will see how life was. Although hard a lot of the time, it was very fulfilling, and with a strong sense of community. Something these new viewers will probably find hard to understand. Thank you for your work.
Thanks, Bernie, I only heard the news the day before, it was a bit of a shock. He and his wife gave us the asparagus crowns that we enjoy each spring so he is often on our minds and with gratitude.
Ashes to Ashes, dust to dast, a place where we will all eventually head. I suppose it's a symbol of the spiral of life, which new life will eventually spring from.
I love the kalimba, I have several and it is quite pleasant to while away the time. I don't have a dew pond, nor do I have such a beautiful setting as yours, but you always do such a masterful job ! Thank you!
Thanks, Nate. Yes, the kalimba is a real joy to play. One doesn't need any musical experience to make a pleasant noise and, being so portable, one can take it anywhere, even find yourself a dew pond somewhere in the wild!
Your paintings are beautiful. This has been an incredible journey to watch. Well done to you Andrew you should be proud of what you’ve achieved. You make some calming videos.
Thank you so much, Claire, its been a wonderful project and I've really enjoyed it that good people such as yourself have followed the progress. Thanks!
Well, it's been a journey Andrew from first identifying a need to do something through to now. I've followed this little pond from the start. I'll miss it. Well done on all that's been achieved. All the best out there. Mark
Thanks, Mark, if the frogs come back and their sound returns I'll post a recording on FB in due course. In the meantime its been a joy to work on this project and have you join me on the journey.
This has been - and hopefully is - a wonderful project. I would prefer it to be renamed the latest video of the last dew pond but respect your decision and reasoning. Some of the artwork it has inspired is awesome. I recall the remembrances of the last cows drinking from this last dew pond and somehow feel their spirits remain around the pond calmly ruminating on the great service and respect you have paid to this last watering hole.
I understand what you mean but I felt that I would just be repeating myself if I were to continue making videos about the pond. The situation is again critical as the water seems to be leaking out somewhere and I wanted to leave this project with a 'did they, didn't they' survive sentiment. Meanwhile I am still painting the pond and am approaching the 100th work. Its still inspiring and as a subject has taught me so much. I'm preparing a video to bring all the paintings together. Thanks for your interest and support, Jean.
@@andrewnorris2 hopefully the leak situation will improve and be resolved. Nature, as ever, is red in tooth and claw so the tadpoles might face more than a few challenges! Keep on keeping on Andrew.
What joy Andrew to see the amazing transformation you have achieved. Those reflected colours are just so beautiful and I love your music 🎶 its so magical ✨️ bravo
Thank you so much, Lynn. I have to agree. Before I put the nylon down I had not seen the pond with water in the Autumn. The colours are fantastic and I sit in my studio with a bunch of paintings around me and I love them, really love them!
Amongst the moments of frustration, anticipation, anxiety and hope there is a peace and a source of inspiration that is rare to find these days. Thank you for your visit.
Be proud of what you have done here, my friend. You have created a small nature reserve, and Mother Nature is obviously happy with your work, for she has seen fit to return life to what was once dead.Not forgetting, of course the help from Tona, and supervision by Zorro.
I decided to make this the last one on the dew pond as I am getting to the point of repeating myself. As I write the level of the water is again touch and go. Will the tadpoles survive? Will some of them make it to frogs? 'Always good to leave 'em with a cliff hanger!' Thanks for following me on this journey, Nigel. It has been, to say the least, eventful and fascinating.
I would do such a video with pleasure if I had a couple of years spare to spend time in your village, to get to know the inhabitants. Such a venture relies on the trust of people to be open and honest. Without that one cannot be authentic. However, you clearly have a stake in your village and people surely know you there. Could you not make such a recording yourself?
No sooner do I finish writing a comment on your previous video, when this new one pops up. For what its worth I think you have done absolutely the right thing. In time, things will grow on and through the piece on the ground, maybe even a new tree, upon which you could paint new leaves to celebrate new growth and regeneration?
A lovely revisit to your artwork, Andrew. One thing though. Your work, I presume, was meant to be an organic thing, evolving with the woodland. One could consider your giant artwork with the leaves on it as almost adding a branch to that tree. Branches and leaves fall off, but nature doesn't put them back on. I do wonder if, with respect, it shouldn't be left on the ground to continue it's organic journey of decomposition and colonisation. That might seem only fitting. It was interesting to see the "cows" again. Have they REALLY been there 4 years? How time flies.
Hey, fantastic Andrew. It does feel like it belongs there. It had been touched by the hand of time and as you say now that will play its part. All the best. Mark
A brave decision to let the original concept go. You must visit when the real leaves have fallen and show us a mosaic of both the organic fallen leaves and the Fallen Leaves artwork. I also love the boulders in the woods juxtaposed against the woodland in the video. It really is a magical landscape and a lovely home for your creativity.
I think, in retrospect, it was the only decision thanks to the prompt of good people like yourself. Oh yes, the boulders in the woods. I based a whole project and exhibition on them some 3-4 years ago. Magical scenes.
I remember this! It was around times when I discovered you via HRT film about you. Three years already... This artistic intervention was and is so warm (re)union of a human and dear nature. I'm glad you reminded us of this.
That was lovely Andrew. I thought the plank and green leaves kind of found the rightful place there on the ground. It's as if nature had decided. Thanks for sharing all your past works. All the best as always. Mark
Art work, reworked and rediscovered. I think I would have left the woodland sculpture where it landed and renamed it 'Fallen Leaves'....change is part of life. Thanks for this thought provoking video.
Actually, I think you have a point. I am now thinking I should have left the leaves as 'Fallen Leaves'. Perhaps Ill go back and return it to where it was.
I love the woods l find them tranquil and forbidding at the same time. I always think of the Buddhist saying 'If a tree falls in the woods, does it make a sound if there's no one there to hear it'. I love the rocks in the wood to.
Well, I didn't hear nor see my piece fall. One comment suggests I should have left it, I am now thinking that perhaps they were right, that its position on the forest floor is a part of its life's journey. Thanks for your visit, Michael, always appreciate it.
Lovely. I remember you making these pieces. Good to see so many have survived. I do hope your neighbour will hold back on cutting more firewood! I felt that the once hanging piece could have been left on the ground but with the leaves repainted in autumnal colours.
Yes, you have a point and are not the only person to suggest that the piece should stay on the ground. I am now thinking that you are right. I should leave it to its own fate. I think that that is what I shall do. Good suggestion and good to see you here. Thanks!
