Aletta Julia Andre

APEMAN and the doll Aletta Julia Andre

Knysna is the soul of the Garden Route. The locals believe that anyone who enters the village is at risk of never leaving. The limitless landscape is a ploy. By day the ancient Addo Elephant spirits defend the borders and by night a star-studded sky is vigilant. The mysterious moon is an imposing, giant searchlight that keeps a beady eye on everything that stirs in the dark of night. It's close friend, the Phantom Pass, meticulously keeps a roll call of all who enter the village. The amazon green Knysna Louries, their eyes decorated with red and white war paint, attentively patrol the skies. Clivia flowers with their bright orange blooms are like pockets of fire. They are irresistible and shamelessly beckon strangers closer and closer. The shadowy forests form a barricade but there are those rebellious souls who try to escape. As they wander deeper, they become confused. They toil, they tire and then darkness descends, as a final snare. Two daunting sandstone cliffs on either side of the lagoon mouth, tirelessly guard the passage out to sea, yet they aren't able to prevent the majestic trees, from whispering mysteries into the winds that gust across the lagoon towards the mighty Indian Ocean. As the waters persistently ebb and flow, Knysna holds, holds and then the gates close. A few manage to escape, but sooner or later even they return, hoping that this time, they will uncover the mysteries that haunt them in their dreams.