OUTDOORS

Daniel Popper is a multidisciplinary Cape Town, South Africa, artist known globally for his larger-than-life sculptures and spectacular public art installations. He is most acclaimed for his massive public art installations, including the memorial sculpture for the Nelson Mandela School of Science and Technology in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, and sculptures for popular events such as the Boom Festival in Portugal and Rainbow Serpent Festival in Australia.

Largest exhibition by internationally renowned artist Daniel Popper

The Morton Arboretum’s newest outdoor art installation, Human+Nature, will open April 9, after the original June 2020 opening was delayed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This will be the first major U.S. exhibition by renowned South African artist Daniel Popper, and his largest exhibition to date anywhere in the world. It will feature five 15- to 26-foottall sculptures created exclusively for the Arboretum. “The Morton Arboretum is the ideal place to create interactive art that connects people with trees and nature,” Popper said about collaborating with the Chicago-area tree museum. “The backdrops at the Arboretum are incredible places to tell stories through art about how we all coexist with trees.”

Built to create a sense of awe and wonder, the Human+Nature (pronounced “human nature”) sculptures will be in various locations across the 1,700-acre Arboretum site to lead guests to areas they may not otherwise explore. “Human+Nature will be uplifting and inspiring, inviting people to get outside to gain the benefits of spending time in nature,” explained Preston Bautista, Ph.D., vice president of learning and engagement. “All of the sculptures celebrate the human connection to trees.”

Among the images will be a towering interpretation of a female figure, diverse human facial traits interwoven with root structures and large-scale human hands. The thought-provoking impressions will represent that the Arboretum is a place where trees are nurtured, conservation is the work of many hands and nature is experienced with all of the senses, Bautista said. Made of glass-reinforced concrete, fiberglass and steel, each sculpture will weigh several metric tons. The largest ground footprint will be 28 feet wide and 37 feet long.

“Each sculpture has a story behind it, but I like to leave the questions about each piece a little bit open, so people can come and bring their own ideas to it,” Popper said, adding, “You will find more magic in things that way.”

Human+Nature will be included with timed-entry admission to the Arboretum. The exhibition is planned to run for at least one year. ■

BY LARRY ATSEFF

When people hear the words “martial arts”, they sometimes think of action movies. Bill Thompson offers a different view. Bill is the president of Strive Martial Arts, where he explains that martial arts is more than kicking and punching. It is about a way of life built around All-American words like confidence, focus, selfdiscipline, persistence and achievement. Together, these concepts build a foundation of character designed to promote self-reliance, courage, loyalty, respect and personal satisfaction.

The use of the word “Strive” in Strive Martial Arts is no accident. Bill and his fellow instructors work tirelessly to support their students as they strive to reach their own personal goals. Whether young or old, each student is there for his or her own reasons.

Some are looking to build confidence through their ability to defend themselves. Others want to improve their physical fitness.

Of course, some are there because it was their parent’s idea. Parents see martial arts as a way to help their child grow and establish good mental and physical habits that will serve them in all aspects of their life, both now and in the future. The funny thing is that kids brought in by their mother or father soon find out there is more in this adventure for them; much more than their parents ever thought.

Strive staff members take a special interest in every student and they work to understand the goal and motivation of each individual who steps into the studio. They emphasize this is not a “onesize fits all” experience. The staff uses their unique ability to zero in on a student’s interests, especially young students. This helps them grow, week by week, and enjoy an ongoing sense of achievement.

Every new goal achieved builds confidence that helps the student tackle the next challenging goal. As Bill Thompson says, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.” For all students, the dream of attaining a black belt is always there in the distance, but as Thompson points out, a dream without a goal is just a dream. The Strive program is designed to help students pursue their dreams, one step at a time, one goal at a time.

At Strive, we say there is only one direction to go, and that is always forward. That is why classes move forward in a seven-week session, ending with testing. When requirements are met, students are awarded the next level belt. At every step, students take pride in attaining their newest belt. Of course.

As Thompson reminds everyone, while the black belt may be the ultimate destination, it is the journey that counts. It is the journey that builds the kind of character that most people agree makes the difference in the world. Thompson points out kids are growing up in the digital world, spending more time on computers and video games, and their brains are becoming wired for distraction, multitasking and short attention spans. All of this can get in the way of success, both in school and life.

Strive Martial Arts is helping students make a difference. Learning to kick and punch is only the beginning, but it is a first step in being able to kick the digital habit, put it in its proper place and focus on what’s important in life.