I’ve never met Michael Visocchi.
I almost met Michael at Grytviken in 2021 but the Corona Virus intervened. I was sequestered onboard within sight of the old Whaling station. I could see an arctic tern flying over king penguins, fur seals sleeping on the beaches and a few hardy souls in bright orange parkas walking past with hiking poles at the ready. Fur seals seem to have an institutional memory of past human/seal interactions. It’s best to be on your guard.
I leaned over the rail above others taking the “polar plunge” and thought to myself that this was my one regret,
My one regret was not meeting Michael at Grytviken, not walking the Flensing Plan with him, not sharing that first encounter with all which is South Georgia Island. The trip had not been easy with ships in quarantine, ceaseless COVID tests, and an “Alice” feeling of running as fast as you can to stay in the same place every time a new regional COVID regulation was issued. Not easy- but all within the fluid style of traveling with which I am familiar. There is always opportunity, there is always something to see, something to learn, something which will inform both past and future. Yes, my only regret being so close to Michael and separated by a very small stretch of lapis blue water.
In January of 2020 I was asked by Denise Landau of Friends of South Georgia Island to represent FOSGI in the Flensing Panel Artistic Commission. The Panel included Professor Elaine Shemilt Vice Chair SGHT Director of Centre for Remote Environments Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art University of Dundee., Helen Havercroft Chief Executive of the Government of South Georgia South Sandwich Islands GSGSSI, Hayley Collings Communications Manager IAATO, Amanda Catto Scottish Arts Council, Christine Read Director Everard Read Gallery, Gemma Lloyd Associate Bridget Sawyers Ltd Public Art Consultants, and Professor Bjørn Lorens Basberg SGHT Trustee Economic Historian.
The remit was to reimagine the Flensing Plan at Gritviken. This is not an easy task as it is a knife edge balancing act between atonement for a vast number of whales “flensed” on that spot and the true grit of the men who worked the station amidst the jaw dropping beauty of South Georgia Island. Neither the history nor the setting can be ignored. There is a message of hope with the return of whales in number but it’s still a very difficult story to tell.
By March the proposals had been reduced to three finalists.
Michael Visocchi was not the strongest proposal but his presentation stood head and shoulders above the rest. Here’s why. He presented a proof of concept. A film of the maquette rotating showed the shadows and reflections as the sun moved over the “spirit tables”. Micheal repurposed existing elements from the Whaling Station and imbued them with new meaning. He was not derivative. His approach was thoughtful, measured, realistic and dare I say it? Passionate. Passionate with a quiet gentle enthusiasm which comes from the heart as you can hear direct from Michael in the video linked above. Read the interview with Michael , follow his travelog , and read about those lucky enough to meet Michael on his first visit to Grytviken.
I feel truly honored to be part of this process and look forward to seeing the installation in Grytviken.