Art Citichat 18 October 2002

CITICHAT 41/2002 - 18 October 2002


ART

TAKING THE TOUR

Once a week over the past month or so I’ve found myself taking a busload of folks on the JHBARTCITY route. The original objectives of JHBARTCITY were two-fold, the promotion of contemporary South African Art and artists to the public at large and the showcasing of the numerous current projects underway in the inner city. It has been interesting to gauge the reaction of what have been predominantly Northern suburbs folks to both. In almost every case it has been one of genuine surprise at and positive reaction to what is actually happening on the ground, which certainly vindicates the second of our objectives. But it is also clear that, for our first objective to be equally successful, the “tour guide” needs to be a great deal more knowledgeable on art than moi! It is also difficult to have a meaningful discussion about Lesheba 1 (a landscape by JW van Bergen which is mounted on a huge billboard) when the bus is hurtling over the Queen Elizabeth Bridge and you are also trying to point out the benefit to the city and the technical details of the Nelson Mandela Bridge on the other side of the painting. So back to the drawing board on that one!

But each tour seems to develop its own character, obviously influenced by the type of people who make up the group and their reaction to different offerings. Some weeks ago, one tour of generally mid 30 year olds ended in great hilaritywhen we stopped at the Faraday muti-market to show where the new project to house the muti market, the associated traditional medicine and healing industry, taxis et al is under construction. A large and verbose Zulu lady provided a rather graphic demonstration of the effects of her home made Viagra potion – and yes, she did find one buyer! She didn’t let the ladies off either as she berated them in a stream of Zulu for not investing in her home-brewed potions designed to inflame their male admirers. This Wednesday’s group was from the conference industry starting on Constitutional Hill with a glass of bubbly, a short stop for snacks and beer at the SAB World of Beer in Newtown, dinner and wine at the Rand Club and a nightcap at the revamped Top of the Carlton – much merriment by all, but also achieving our objective of showcasing new projects and dispelling pre-conceptions of the lack of safety in the city. This latter tour was organised by Beryl Porter, well known for her slick organisation. So, there’s a great idea for this year’s festive season – a year-end office function with a difference! Just find another guide and make sure the bus is air-conditioned!

One of the places we always briefly stop at on these tours and to which I encourage folk to come back to, park off in, and really enjoy, is the revamped SA Eagle Square. The square is a wonderful example of how essential good urban and landscape design is in the whole process of city revitalisation. It also pays tribute to the vision of a company that decided to not only remain in the city but to actively invest in upgrading its immediate public domain to the benefit of all city users. Hollard Street was closed to traffic quite a few decades ago but the whole area declined as paved surfaces were allowed to deteriorate, lighting became inadequate and its water features eventually became waterless and thus unofficially expropriated as skateboard ramps - complete with graffiti. SA Eagle could have justifiably taken the same route as so many others, moving to the banality of the new business nodes. They chose to stay and contribute to the well being of the city. I couldn’t provide a better word picture of the end result than which the consultants, Green Inc, have provided, so I reproduce it below. I must however add that just exploring the superb detailing of the finished product is well worth the visit and will bring you back for more. This is as good as anything I’ve seen anywhere!

“The design challenge was to ensure a robust space while at the same time celebrating the surrounding urban environment and city life. It was deemed important to make the space as people-friendly as possible, so extra attention was paid to the detailing of seating and lighting.

Custom-made oval concrete benches were placed around the retained trees. Built-in benches placed diagonally across the space were linked by strips of mosaic inlay by artist Marco Cianfanelli. The mosaic depicts various scenes from life in Johannesburg (including a portrait of Nelson Mandela) overlaid over the grid of its street map. Lighting was designed into both seating types, and steel mast lights with icons that also relate to Johannesburg were designed for the space. The space is beautifully lit at night, which adds to the safety of this space.

The new paving specified for the square comprises alternating bands of different coloured cobbles. A panel of honed sandstone tiles forms the base onto which a sculpture by Marco Cianfelli casts an eagle shadow. A new entrance canopy was designed for the building and a new bus shelter installed.”

So there you have it. The city is not just being revitalised, it is being done with quality!



And talking of quality, there is a retrospective of the South African expressionist Gladys Mgudlandlu at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, Klein Street which is really worth a visit. Guided tours can be arranged phone 011-725 31130/3184



Remember the Chagall display at the Standard Bank Gallery (corner Simmonds and Frederick Streets) a couple of years ago that drew large numbers? Well they are now hosting a collection of the later works of Joan Miro the avant-garde Spanish artist. Phone 011-636.4231.



Miro, SA Eagle Square and Mgudlandlu at the JAG, what a great combination for an afternoon visit! I just LOVE this city, cheers, neil