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An Ethnospheric Expedition in Trinidad&Tobago!
Ship’s Crew presents Art Happening!The planetary sailing ship R/V Heraclitus, has arrived in Chaguaramas from Brazil
The R/V Heraclitus (www.rvheraclitus.org), an 84 foot three-masted junk-rigged sailing vessel with a ferro-cement hull, was designed and built in 1975 by the Institute of Ecotechnics in California, USA, synergizing an ancient Chinese design with modern engineering.
In September 2006, the Heraclitus began its present voyage, the “Coral Sea to Black Sea Expedition,” with an international crew of fourteen, sailing from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to Europe. This expedition is focused on ethnospheric (cultural and historical) and oceanic exploration, retracing the history of Western European cultural expansion by its Sea People.
The expedition was inspired by the ancient Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts and their sea adventures in pursuit of the Golden Fleece, possibly the first exploratory marine expedition. The myth of the Argonauts indicates the Greek training schools switching from being oriented toward horsemanship to sailing and exploring the open ocean over 3,000 years ago. According to the story, this move to gain wealth from mastery of the sea occurred with Jason and his heroic crew, securing the Golden Fleece in the Black Sea.
The Heraclitus crew continuously investigates and learns about cultural and ecological phenomena. Since the beginning of the expedition in 2006, the expedition team has, in the spirit of mutual inspiration, engaged the local people they meet in cultural exchanges through theatre, creative arts, and joint projects and performances onboard and on land.
‘The exchange with the Matuto Foundation in Brazil included the exploration of the highlands near San Paolo on horseback and an intensive ocean training program with five members of the Matutu Foundation.. In Parati we even hosted a Marakatu drumming ensemble onboard and then the legendary bull dance in Northern Brazil.” Christine Handte, Expedition Chief
The Heraclitus has been continuously sailing around the world for 35 years, covering over 250,000 nautical miles on six oceans (including the Antarctic), exploring in the ancient tradition of Sea People, who make planet water their home. The Heraclitus has accomplished ten major expeditions, the first of which was a two-year ethno-botanical expedition that took it 2000 miles up the Amazon River to Iquitos from 1980 to 1982. Other expeditions focused on cetacean and coral reef studies.
Heraclitus is revisiting Trinidad after 22 years- since then the ship has been sailing around South America to Antarctica, rounded Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope and has voyaged around the world twice.
The Heraclitus is owned by Institute of Ecotechnics (www.ecotechnics.edu), a registered UK charity and is operated by Planet Water Expeditions LLC, US. The non-profit venture and volunteer crew have continued their educational voyages through the generous public support of companies and individuals (financial, material, and informational), as well as thru the Sea People Program tuition paid by onboard expedition participants.
Sea People Training Program:
The Sea People Program on board the Heraclitus offers an experience of a lifetime: the chance to participate in genuine adventure and exploration of oceans and cultures, expanding one’s horizons, and finding new sources of creative inspiration. Participants learn to live at sea, get to know other cultures, develop theater and speech skills, as well as how to live and work with other people from diverse backgrounds. Previous sailing experience is not required. The recommended complete certificate program lasts for 9 months and costs US$1,200 per month. In the past 35 years, over two hundred people have participated from over 30 countries around the world, including Europe, Egytpt, Brazil, Kenya, Solomon Islands, Australia, Venezuela, Mexico, U.S., Canada, South Africa, Argentina, and Trinidad & Tobago. Participants come from a range of backgrounds, and have included ecologists, engineers, craftsmen, musicians, artists, poets, adventurers, and actors, all of whom share the basic Heraclitus requirement of being “ready, willing and able.”
Current Route:The Heraclitus will remain in the Chaguaramas area until December 18, 2009 and will then sail visiting the windward islands in the Caribbean. In January 2010, the ship will arrive in Puerto Rico before crossing the North Atlantic in April heading directly for Caidz, Spain and then other ports such as Tangiers, Tunis, Genoa, Barcelona, and other legendary ports in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
For further information and to apply for the Sea People Program, please contact Expedition Chief Christine Handte at Tel. 1 868 7012907 or via email at christinehandte@gmail.com, and visit the ship’s website: www.rvheraclitus.org
Current Crew:Claus Tober, Captain, Germany
Christine Handte, Expedition Chief, Germany
Edgar ‘Eddie’ Zuna, First Mate, Solomon Islands
Michelle Hughes, Second Mate, Canada,
Gilson Nagel, Third Mate, Brazil
Dario Sorgato, Ship’s photographer, Italy
Antonio Marquez, Apprentice, USA
Patricia Boyko, Apprentice, USA
Nikki Bailey, Apprentice, USA
‘Expect the Unexpected’, a photographic and artistic exhibitionPlanet Water Expeditions and the crew the R/V Heraclitus present a photographic and artistic exhibition in Trinidad & Tobago, entitled: “ Expect the Unexpected” in Trinidad and Tobago, from Dec 10th to Dec 14th 2009
The exhibition seeks to diffuse the idea of the ethnospheric expedition started in Australia in 2006; and develop a creative educational and informational instrument made possible by the existence of a floating laboratory where art, philosophy and creativity are constantly in-action.
Heraclitus, the Greek philospher was famous for his doctrine of change being central to the universe, summarized in his famous quote, "You can’t step in the same river twice." He believed in the unity of opposites, stating that "The way up is the way down.", that existing things are characterized by pairs of contrary properties
A selection of full colour and black and white photos shot by different crew members will be showen to highlight life at sea, life in a community, sea people cultures, incividuals encountered and the vessel itself. Each of the photos will be linked with one of Heraclitus’ enigmas.
Art installations, craft and performances will be presented during the happening.
Where:Peake Yacht ServicesLot 5 Western Mn. Rd
Chaguaramas
When:Opening event
for GUEST LIST only. Please R.S.V.P. with SMS or email
thur 10th Dec 2009, 5.30 to 8.30 pm
Open to public11,12,14 Dec 2009, Working hours
Contacts and Infos:Exhibition Manager Dario Sorgato: 7163346, mail@dariosorgato.it
Expedition Chief Christine Handte 7012907, christinehandte@gmail.com
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