ZimSculpt Exhibit Dallas, TX, 2021
Trend Magazine Online™
Article August 2021
Part 2 of 2
#zimsculpt #dallas

Jay -- How do you transport your art?

Mr. Croisette -- We use three to four different containers of sculptures weighing several tons.

Jay -- Do you get nervous during the shipping process?

Mr. Croisette -- What do you think? We are always nervous until the containers are in the garden where we have the exhibition. It is always stressful.


Jay -- What is Tengenenge?

Mr. Croisette -- Tengenenge is an art movement that started in 1957 when Zimbabwe was Rhodesia. About 40 artists started the movement. We call them the 1^st generation [70+ years old]. Today, we are in the 4^th generation [20+ years old] of artist. [2^nd generation, 50+, 3^rd generation, 30+].

Jay -- What is the age range of the 200 artists that you represent?

Mr. Croisette -- The youngest is 16 and the oldest is 100 years old and still carving. He is from Tengenenge.

Jay -- What is the Tengenenge community?

Mr. Croisette -- Tengenenge is an art community that started in 1966 and is still active. We are part of the collectors; it is one of the most famous art communities in the world. Most 1^st generation masters come from this community. It is a family tradition; the kids come around seven or eight years old after school. Each family has a master; each kid studies under the master. Their skill is a gift.

Jay -- What are some of your challenges in exporting your art, yourself and artists?

Mr. Croisette -- It is always tricky to export; to get into another country in terms of a visa which is a long and very expensive process. We sponsor two artists per year; we tour six months. We do things proper; we get red visas.

Jay -- Have you met any of the famous people that have purchased your art?

Mr. Croisette -- I have met some of the famous collectors of our art; we also have first-timers; it’s great.

Jay -- How long does it typically takes to produce a great piece of stone art?

Mr. Croisette -- It takes probably one to two weeks on average to produce a work of art. There are no sketches; all talent.

Jay -- Approximately how long is an artist’s apprenticeship?

Mr. Croisette -- The average is 10 - 15 years.

Jay -- Have you tried to create a piece on your own?

Mr. Croisette -- I did the fine arts school in France but quickly found out those guys are the masters. There is no school for that.

Here is what Mr. Hoffman of the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens had to say about the ZimSculpt exhibit…

Jay -- How did this arrangement come about?

Mr. Hoffman -- We received a call from Mrs. Croisette in February of 2013 from Naples, Florida, who said that she found out about us by word of mouth. She pitched me the idea; I then did some research on their company and made a presentation to the executives here. The decision to allow the exhibit took about five minutes.

Jay -- When did the pieces arrive here and how long did it take to get set up?

Mr. Hoffman -- The art pieces arrived June 6, 2014, and were installed by Mr. Croisette and the artists. Set up took about three weeks. They buried 100 logs mounted with stainless steel rods to display each piece.

Jay -- What was the initial reaction of your staff?

Mr. Hoffman -- They were fascinated!

Jay -- What type of stone did they use?

Mr. Hoffman -- The most popular is Spring Stone which has a grey and black finish. The Opal Stone is like granite.

Jay -- I see some of the taller pieces use a very familiar design.

Mr. Hoffman -- Yes, like the Native Americans they use the Totem Pole style design.

Jay -- What are your busiest days and how long does is typically take to walk through the entire exhibit?

Mr. Hoffman -- Saturdays and Sundays are our busiest days and it takes approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours to walk through ZimSculpt. About 30% of our guests come from outside a 50 mile radius of the Belmont/Gastonia area.

This year's ZimSculpt Exhibit in Dallas, TX:

• Where? The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens (409-392-0317; Pete Henley) at the Old Central Cultural Center on Tuesday June 1^st, at 7 PM
;
• When? Saturday May 1 thru Sunday August 8, 2021, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX, 75218, 9 AM - 5 PM Daily;
• What? More than 100 hand-selected exquisite sculptures artfully displayed throughout the garden;
• Cost? $15 ;
• Reserve tickets here!;

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