Dear reader,

Welcome to my first loveletter to you, delivered in the form of a digital missive (I considered writing a handwritten letter to scan, but I wanted this to reach each of you in this shared digital world).

It might have been some time since our last correspondence, or perhaps you recently expressed your desire for this loveletter to reach you after my announcement regarding my upcoming departure from Instagram. Whether you’re among my cherished friends and loved ones, someone I haven’t connected with in a while, or a new soul, I’m so happy to have you here. I hope this missive finds you well amidst everything going on in the world. Allow me to extend a heartfelt greeting to you, with warmth for wherever your journey has taken you.

From time to time, I hope to send you these loveletters, a means by which to impart musings on life, love, and the spaces in between. To me, the projects I undertake emanate from a place of love, or at times, the absence thereof. Hence, I have chosen the title loveletter over the conventional newsletter. Though I lay no claim to the craft of journalism nor writer, I aspire to spark inspiration within you.

In recent times, I have devoted considerable effort—together with the beautiful souls at kizikula and Joby at Colour/Format—to creating an exhibition called Kumbatia. It is with great pleasure that I extend to you a warm invitation to join us on November 15th, 2024:

Kumbatia, meaning embrace, encourages us to hold dear the bonds with our environment and each other. This exhibition is a heartfelt ode to nature, inviting us to embrace water’s transformative qualities and connect deeply with our surroundings. Celebrating nature’s nurturing, life-giving essence, it symbolizes both physical nourishment and emotional connection.

Set along the southern coast of Unguja (Zanzibar) by the Indian Ocean under the full moon, the exhibition highlights how research shows that negative ions in ocean air can uplift spirits and alleviate anxiety, reminding us of our intrinsic bond with the earth. While the coastline reflects our interconnectedness, climate change threatens this fragile balance. Through an outdoor photographic installation, Kumbatia explores the tension between nature and culture, urging us to cherish these bonds.

I would be honored to welcome you to the opening of Kumbatia on November 15th, in Kizimkazi, Unguja. To mark the occasion, we’ll also be hosting a special dinner—an intimate gathering to celebrate together—available by reservation here.

For those who can’t make it to the island but still wish to be part of this journey, we’ve created a limited edition t-shirt—and exclusive fine art prints that will launch soon—as a keepsake souvenir of Kumbatia’s spirit. With each purchase, 1% of sales will be donated to marinecultures.org—a nonprofit dedicated to restoring coral reefs and supporting sustainable livelihoods in Zanzibar. The organization works with local communities on eco-friendly aquaculture projects to protect marine ecosystems and enhance resilience against climate change. Ships worldwide, so you can join us no matter where you are.

Would you like to stay with us for the night? I’m pleased to offer you an exclusive discount—simply use the code KUMBATIA for 10% off your stay at kizikula.com.

For inquiries on how to get there, feel free to contact info@kizikula.com. Please do not relay on Google / Apple Maps for directions, as kizikula is located off the main road. For all my explorers out there, I share the coordinates with you:
6º25’52.5”S
39º27’28.8”E

For more details about the exhibition, see here. Whether near or far, your presence and support mean the world to me. I hope you can join us, in person or in spirit, for this celebration. Take care and speak soon.

With love,

Anne Barlinckhoff

P.S. Feel free to pass along this loveletter to anyone who might find joy in it.