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Announcing the brand new book of the sea by Michael AW
'Beneath
North Sulawesi'
FOREWORD
BY WYLAND & RAVES
Worldwide
launch: Birmingham Dive Show - Oct 14 :
Sold Out at World Underwater Pictures Festival Antibes - 24 Oct :
Vision London - 4 Nov: Sold out @ DEMA
Orlando - 8 Nov
Shipping
NOW -
author autographed limited edition book set USD 68 -
to order
email or go to
ONEOCEAN Shop
This book encapsulates the splendour and
richness of Nature’s richest realm - North Sulawesi. The
region is the most diverse marine ecological empire of our
ocean planet. Though the imagery is not shot over the
course of a 24 hours period, they are however captured at
the time of the day indicated. The pictorial documentary
reveals the behavior and nuances of life in a day
‘Beneath North SulaweSea’. The moving
pictures DVD edition is compose of 698 still images and
video scenes artistically woven into a special presentation
with original music score specially written by award winning
music of the sea composer Eric Bettens.
‘Beneath North SulaweSea’
is the long overdue update to “Beneath
Bunaken (1993)”, the award winning almanac that was selected
as the Presidential Gift for the Asia Pacific Economic
Co-operation conference in 1994. Its true intend, ‘Beneath
North SulaweSea’ is evolve as an accolade for the luxuriant
marine biodiversity of North Sulawesi found no where else in
the world.
Michael AW, author of ‘Beneath Bunaken’,
‘Richest Reefs’, ‘Dreams from a Rainbow Sea’ and
cinematographer Stuart Ireland and composer Eric Bettens
come together for this production – a DVD and a high quality
pictorial almanac that encapsulates the richness and beauty
of what lies beneath North Sulawesi into one exquisite
volume; it is designed to raise the standard for all books
of the sea, a hallmark for underwater imageries production.
Part of the proceeds from this production contributes to
OceanNEnvironment’s SOS funds to support research and
preservation projects in the Indo-Pacific. Covering the
expanse of the North Sulawesi peninsula, the imagery from
this production is shot entirely from Bunaken Marine Park,
Banka, Sangie, Ruang, Siau and the Lembeh Strait.
RAVES
Raves
by Wyland, Artist of the Sea, USA
- “Beneath North SulaweSea could very well be Michael Aw at
his best — and that, in my opinion, is saying a lot. North
Sulawesi certainly provides an incredible palette to work
with. But it takes a special kind of photographer to put its
diverse marine life on display the way nature intended.
Through Michael’s lens, we have a fantastic opportunity to
journey into underwater volcanoes, gently brush past giant
sea fans, and dive into the midst of schooling barracuda and
trevally. It’s a glimpse into a perfectly lit afternoon at
Lembeh Strait, Banka Island, and Bunaken Marine Park — all
at once. It’s azure blue sea caves that remind us of our
planet’s ethereal wonders. It’s soft corals aglow off steep
sea walls, green sea turtles in mid-flight, and hundreds of
blue-dash fusiliers darting through sapphire seas like
living wallpaper.”
“There’s an incredible array of life in
these pages. More than I could ever hope to describe. And
that is what makes a wonderful photography book. Equally
important, there is a special message. It’s not written in
bold letters, but you’ll see it on every page. Michael’s
lens targets the importance of healthy ecosystems everywhere
— in a family of clownfish, cardinalfish sharing a symbiotic
relationship with an accommodating anemone, in cleaner
shrimp offering a little dental work to a moray eel, and
pygmy seahorses finding camouflage — and refuge — against a
soft coral fan. We can learn much from these relationships.
They’re the foundation of healthy ecosystems — all plants,
animals mutually dependent on one another, everything in
balance. Each animal has a special purpose, and the
importance of keeping these systems intact is vital.
Peter Stone, Ocean Enterprise
Australia - I believe when Orson Welles suggested he
make another film after Citizan Kane, he was told, "don't do
it Mr Welles, you will never surpass the brilliance of your
last film, and anything else would be a disappointment". I
think Welles did go on to make other films, and perhaps he
was indeed disappointed. One wonders if the same comment
could have been made to Michael after each of his previous
pictorial books, but if so, the world is so much richer for
his not heeding such advice. I refer to course to Beneath
North Sulawe Sea, which I have just received, and devoured.
Thankyou so much. It has made my day. Few images have the
ability to brings tears. I saw one the other day of a
starving child in Africa, and it brought tears. Michael's
images bring the same tears but for the directly opposite
effect - of joy and appreciation. And yet how sad it is that
there is so much beauty in the underwater world and yet so
much horror and sadness above. I just love that last photo,
of young Alexandra, and the caption. You and I have young
children - I just hope we leave something of value to them.
Please pass on my utmost congratulations and appreciation to
Michael for yet another brilliant book. May he continue to
shoot, for the sake of Jonah and Joelle, and my Sam. And to
you Allison, you epitomise the backbone of any creative
person - you are indeed the pillar that holds your (family)
life together, and no doubt, with your children, the greater
inspiration for Michael. For that, the book is as much a
credit to you.
Wayne MacWilliams, USA
-
Got a
chance this weekend to finally view/read your new book.
Beautiful and inspirational. The ability to capture what has
begun to be fairly common and not so common subjects with a
unique or visually captivating eye sets the true artist
apart-IMHO you are an artist. Great job.
Production
Brief
DVD –
encased into a high quality 268mm x 250mm – 138 pages
(158gsm matt art paper) case-bound volume. (Hard cover cased
bound) printed in 7 colour technology.
Recommended
Retail of DVD/book LIMITED EDITION set: USD 68 / AUD90
Author /
photographer: Michael AW
Music: Eric
Bettens
Video
imagery: Michael AW & Stuart Ireland
Publisher &
production guarantor: OceanNEnvironmet Ltd Australia
www.michaelaw.com
The
production of the first edition is supported by the
Governor’s office of North Sulawesi; Lembeh Resort, Minahasa
Lagoon Resort, Murex Resort & Liveaboards, Odyssea Asia,
Manado Safari Tours & Travel.
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About Michael AW
Pursuing the art form of documentary
photography, Michael AW is well known for his
saturated colour imagery. His work on environmental
issues and natural history, have been featured in
BBC Wildlife, National Geographic, Asian Geographic,
GEO, Underwater GEOGRAPHIC, Nature Focus, Action
Asia, Scuba Diver, Smithsonian magazine, Ocean Realm
(USA), Times, Asia Week, DIVE, Unterwasser, Tauchen
and Aquanaut, to name but a few. His photographs
have received 50 awards from several international
organizations including the prestigious Nikon
International Photo Contest on three occasions. He
has also won awards from the BBC Photographer of the
Year Wildlife Competition.
Over 20,000 of his images have
appeared in various publications and exhibitions
worldwide including the Australian Museum and
Queensland Tropical Museum. Michael has presented
lectures and slide presentations on marine life and
underwater photography to the Australian Museum
Society, aquariums and private organizations in the
pacific-rim countries including the world renown
Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. He has produced
and directed two 24-hour photographic documentaries
of corals reefs in the Australian Great Barrier Reef
and the Maldives in 1995 and 1999 respectively.
These extended sojourns have been encapsulated in
books and a broadcast video documentary for National
Geographic.
His first book, 'Beneath Bunaken'
about the marine park in Sulawesi received the
accolade of being the Presidential 'Gift of State'
for Indonesia at APEC 1994. Subsequently in 1996 he
produced for the Maldives – “Dreams from a Rainbow
Sea”, which was used as official gift for the
presidential, fishery and tourism offices. The Four
Season Resort Maldives also used this title as
premier gift for their guests. He was the co-author
and photographer for TANAH AIR, bio-diversity of
Indonesia. He has authored several natural history
books about fishes, corals, invertebrates and he has
also contributed to the Encyclopedias of Malaysia
and Indonesia. He has collaborated with Dr. Carden
Wallace in one of the most definitive book about the
staghorn corals of the Indo-Pacific. His recent
accomplished include the launch of “Celebrate the
Sea” and Underwater Jungles both high quality
case-bound collectors edition published in 2002.
He has in 2003 completed “Richest Reefs –
Indonesia”, a visual extravaganza from some of the
most beautiful reefs in the world – this book is
adopted by the Indonesia as the official gift of
state. His most recent work “An Essential Guide to
Digital Underwater Photography” launch in August
2004 is already among the best selling photographic
title. In 2005 his image of a garnet taking a
sardine won Gold at the World Festival of Underwater
Images Antibes.
www.michaelaw.com
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About Eric Bettens
At a
very young age, Eric BETTENS, showed interested in
sounds and rhythms, and particularly in Polish folk
tunes played on violin by his maternal grandfather.
He attended lessons at the Academy of music in
Courcelles : music theory, music history, trumpet
and percussions, instruments for which he received a
degree with first class honours (Government medal).
From the beginning of his education he has always
played the trumpet either in chamber music or in
good quality amateur orchestras (Orchestre des
Jeunes de Bruxelles, directed by Marc Collet and
Orchestre Terra Nova, from Namur, directed by
Etienne Rappe). He also played as a soloist and for
some years, has been the solo trumpet in the
Leval-Trahegnies wind band.
His
passion for music on synthesizer, popularized by
Jean-Michel Jarre and Vangelis, he tried his hand at
composition, then attended several lessons in order
to improve himself: piano to get used with the
keyboard technique and electro acoustic music with
Annette Van de Gorne to acquire all the
particularities of it. Since mid-90's, he has
continuously bought electronic material (synthes,
consoles, sequence software, sound-processing soft
wares…) and learned his operating mode in order to
progressively master all their resources. The
development of Internet and MP3 technique also
allowed him to exchange information, competence,
sounds, critics, etc… with other musicians
worldwide!
In his work, Eric BETTENS tries to develop a subtle
balance between acoustic and electronic instruments
by also integrating sounds from nature. This
personal approach earned him encouragements and
advice by Luc Baiwir, the well-known composer from
Liège. Baiwir encouraged him to present one of his
composition, Nydhis to the World Festival of
Underwater Pictures in Antibes.
This musical piece of work awarded the first prize
(Price François de Roubais).
The style of Eric BETTENS is more and more
appreciated : the proof is the numerous orders he
has received since 2002 : music for theater, for
short films and for documentary films (among others,
« Le monde des gastéropodes » by Danny Van Belle
awarded the ‘Palme d'Or’ in its category at the
Antibes Festival in November 2004. Eric Bettens is
also the composer of the theme for Celebrate the Sea
Festival which has won 2nd place in the
Mediterranean Underwater Film Festival in 2006.
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About Ocean Environment
OceanNEnvironment, is a non-profit organization
charity listed with the Registrar of Environmental
Organisations in Australia. The mission of
OceanNEnvironment is to promote and initiate
preservation projects as well as endeavor to
document the status of coral reefs, bio-diversity
and the impact of man-made pollution through
research programs and educational expeditions.
OceanNEnvironment provides lectures
and educational material to schools, private clubs
and other non-profit organizations.
OceanNEnvironment is also the principal sponsor for
the production of Asian Geographic Magazine.
Associates of OceanNEnvironment are volunteers
comprising of award-winning underwater filmmakers,
photographers, marine biologists, researchers and
writers dedicated to produce high quality natural
history multi-media works.
OceanNEnvironment’s objective is to
present information about our natural heritage in an
exciting and thought provoking manner. The aim is to
motivate people to learn, to love and to help
preserve our natural world. Prominent Honorary
members and Board members are comprised of Dr.
Carden Wallace Director, Museum of Tropical
Queensland, Dr. Gerry Allen of Conservation
International, WYLAND, Stan Waterman, David Doubilet,,
Doug Perrine, Author of “Sharks” and “Mysteries of
the Sea”, Dr. Nicholas Pilcher Vice Chair of UNIMAS,
Dr. Howard Latin, Conservation Professor Newark, New
Jersey, Dr. Elizabeth Wood (UK - Coral Reef
Conservation Officer), Dr. Douglas Fenner,(AIMS),
Chris Lee (Asian Geographic Magazine and Leandro
Blanco. “OceanNEnvironment only undertake projects
that yield measurable goals and objectives.
OceanNEnvironment Save Our Sea Funds
A charity organisation for the marine
Environment listed with the Environment Australia
Registrar. The OceanNEnvironment SOS fund,
established in 1998, is a non-profit tax-exempt
charity organisation committed to the conservation
and preservation of the aquatic environment and its
resources. Our objective is to educate the world
about the importance and responsibility of
preserving the marine environment by developing and
disseminating educational materials, marine
awareness seminars, campaigns and promoting industry
effort at a “grass root” level that yield measurable
result. The organization will provide direct
financial support or campaign for funding to support
worth while endeavor, performance base projects and
networking relationship with other organizations to
strengthen common goals.
Current Projects
Say
No to Shark Fins campaign: 2001 to 2006 Singapore,
Malaysia
Save
Our Leatherbacks turtle Operation - 2006
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