I was not there at the beginning of the formation of Novalis, and I am glad for the stories conveyed to me from others, and also pictures and content from a binder with some interesting materials – brochures and manifestoes from the origin of this impulse.
On the 21st September 1984, it was recorded that The Novalis Institute of Arts and Culture was founded as an association incorporated under Section 21. In the city of Durban, birthed from many meetings and conversations held at Café Genève in West Street, Ralph Shepherd (Managing), Brian Johnson, Yvonne Oates and C.S. Ross founded this impulse for the Development of Art as a New Basis for Social Expression.
The manifesto goes on to say:
‘Recognizing man as a being of body, soul and spirit, the aim of the Institute is to:
- Strive for harmony in individual and international social expression through the promotion and nurturing of visual and aural arts;
- Promote through art the rediscovery of man as a spiritual being;
- Promote the art as a real nourishment for the life of the soul.
- Encourage artists to work towards the human ideals of the good, the beautiful and the true;
- Promote the health bearing forces of Rudolf Steiner’s science of the spirit as an enlivening force in artistic creativity;
- Promote venue where the arts can be brought to the community at large, and the community brought to the arts;
- Raise and administer funds for the education and training of artists, who though their work and expression show sympathy and accord with the aims of this Institute;
- Develop Independent Schools of Art based on the scientific concepts of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Rudolf Steiner.
- Arrange ‘Festivals of Art’ that allow a new intercourse between artists and viewers, between musicians and audience, between speaker and listener, and between man and man.
In a world brought to the brink of chaos by a materialistic view of the nature of man and the universe, the Novalis Institute of Arts and Culture hopes to overcome dead mechanical thinking through the fruits of its activity. In this way the Novalis Institute offers a constructive contribution towards a true understanding of man and society and for a new spirit of harmony amongst peoples.’
Events and workshops included – The Nature of Colours, Planets and Metals: A Craft Weekend; Weekend Workshop for Architects (1987). Fabulous evening concerts with Miha Pogacnik (violinist) & Einar Steen-Nokleberg (Pianist) playing works by Beethoven, Schubert, Bartok, Enesco, and Webern. A favourite story from one of the concerts held in the Café Genève is the night Miha played such high frequencies on his violin that the glasses shattered in the Café.
Then there was the fabulous Phanomena Exhibition – all the way from City of Zurich showcased in Durban in August 1985 at an Expo – the Swiss-inspired exhibit that will occupy 4 000 sq. m of indoor and outdoor space. Divided into categories such as optics, mechanics and aerodynamics, there will be over 80 objects and experiments for adults and children to ‘play’ with. Highlights should be the gravity bicycle, a geodesic mirror dome, a moon walk, a perspective room and echo discs. One can only imagine what an amazing experience that must have been for parents and children alike.
What a bold vision and drive that birthed this impulse. We who work here now, are tremendously grateful for those starting steps at a time when South Africa was in dire straits and everyone knew that change was on the horizon bring much changes for everyone.
Anne-Lise Bure-Shepherd
Acting CEO and A Cosmopolitan in Love with Truth.
June 2024.
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