Saturday, December 20, 2008

Roam forever free



Since moving to the East Coast of Canada, I've always been intrigued by Sable Island - a crescent shaped patch of sand about 300km South-East of Halifax. Since 1583, there have been over 350 shipwrecks on this small sand bar hidden by storms and fog. It's hard to imagine a map with more stories to tell than the one below.



The island is also known for its incredible fragility - as well being home to about 300 wild horses who have called the island home since the 1700's. Their contact with humans is protected - only 5 people live on the island, and special permission is needed to visit. One approved visit was by fashion photographer Robert Dutesco. His evocative and emotional photos are currently on display in New York.

There's also a feature length documentary about his journey to Sable Island and his amazing passion for the horses. The film is truly magical - there is just something so pure, untouched and free about the animals and the setting. As he says during the film - "some places in this world are being left untouched - just like Sable Island. I hope the Sable Island Horses will roam forever free." We can only hope.


Chasing Wild Horses - Clip 2 of 4 from Roberto Dutesco on Vimeo.


Chasing Wild Horses - clip 4 of 4 from Roberto Dutesco on Vimeo.

2 comments:

Sherrie said...

I came across your blog through Trudi's. :) I, too, find Sable Island fascinating. If you're looking for a fictional tale about the island, set there and in Halifax, The Nymph and the Lamp is a good read. Happy blogging!

Martin said...

Thanks - I'll have to check out that book too - thanks for the tip.