Dec / Jan 2012
CityViews
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Donna Solovei’s PASTE in Buitenkant Street (the sister picture of which is on Mew Way in Khayelitsha)
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Potted plants outside the Labia and the CTICC-but shhh, its a secret
Photo: Richard Aaron, Muti
“Cape Town’s Secret Gardener is another example of taking the task of beautifying the city into our own hands. The anonymous guerilla gardener attaches potted plants to street poles and gates around town in an aim to connect people with nature.”
town
“Street art facilitator, Shani Judes, believes in public art for a difference. Her latest project, PASTE, used semi-permanent wheat pastes designed by 15 local artists to bring the gallery space outside. PASTE also sought to bridge the gap between Khayelitsha and Cape Town’s inner city by pasting matching artworks in both areas. She says, ‘I wanted to create an exchange between our CBD and our townships. Cape Town is really lacking in its public art and I want to start changing that. Our city needs to come on board and change the laws of public art, especially now that we’ve won the World Design Capital 2014 title. There are going to be many eyes on Cape Town over the next few years and it’s up to us, the community, to create a beautiful city centre. No more grey walls!’ ”
Photo: Rowan Pybus
The traveller’s rule of thirds: The rule of thirds is a long“It’s clear the Mother City has raised some rebels and we can’t wait to see what they get up to next.”
For more South African city playfulness, check out Between 10and5 Online: www.10and5.com Facebook: www.facebook. com/10and5 Twitter: @10and5
“Not as subtle but so much fun, CoeOne (real name withheld) is notorious for getting even the grumpiest commuter to smile. By adding cardboard leaves to street signs, he transforms them into flowers. ‘With anything like this, you hope that people will be taken by surprise and get a laugh out of it. I like the thought of playing a bit of a joke on the city,’ says CoeOne. Another one of his little jokes was when he dressed a speed camera in a trench coat and hat. He explains, ‘There is so much debate about speed cameras and the fact that they should be more visible. I thought it would be a fun way to point that out. I hope the people driving past felt in on the joke.’ ”
Exploring the unexpected city Andrew Brauteseth is an observer of people, places, and spaces. Besides working for a roster of big-name commercial clients, Andrew – aka Guy With Camera – blogs extensively about the visuals that catch his eye on any given day. Portrait of a Nation celebrates the myriad of faces that comprise South Africa, while Life, Love, Lenses is his “Diary of Visual Interestingness”. He decided to share (with just you, the readers of City Views) some advice on seeing the Mother City from a different angle – and perhaps being surprised by her along the way.
Reverse graffiti on Kloof Street by Ricky Lee Gordon
“Greenpop, a local initiative that asks people to buy trees for planting in tree-needy areas, is using a new way to advertise outside. Instead of printing their message on paper, they’re using reverse graffiti to spread the word of their Treevolution. Using a high-pressure hose and stencils, reverse graffiti artists only need a dirty wall to create a subtle design.”
Street signs to make you look-and look again.
standing photographic guideline, but applying it to sightseeing can take you on an unexpected adventure. Before starting out on your journey, vow to only stop at destinations that have a numeric address divisable by three. Or try take three different modes of transport: Walk a while, then cycle some (preferably to your nearest bike lock-up facility) and then take a R10 taxi (to find out how far R10 can really take you).
Go your own way: Draw a line though your map as the crow would fly, and follow it as you wind through the city. Remember, half the trip is the journey. Enjoy every step of the way.
Play with patterns: Pick a pattern and chase it through the Cape Town streets. Love manhole covers? See how many you can find in a given morning.
Fascinate in fences: Instead of feeling confined by the boundaries that fences and walls create, why not embrace them as a guide? Follow broekie lace throughout the city, or perhaps chase street art on walls.
“Letter” guide you: Pick a letter and let it be your beacon. Only turn onto streets with your designated alphabetic friend, and only visit venues containing your letter in their moniker. Along the way, be sure to observe all the different types of typography present throughout the city. Alternatively, play a form of Alphabet City, and plot your route accordingly: Maybe you start at Artscape, catch the (MyCiTi) bus outside the CTICC and plan to end up in Zonnebloem?
Get literal: Set yourself a mission to find 10 examples of what’s wide about Bree, or wet about Waterkant, or spicy on Pepper. (And while you’re at it, make a point of finding out the history of our place names and
A is for Andrew
one great story about the area.)
Get lost: The point, ultimately, is to lose yourself and find something new. Think “serendipity” – making incredible discoveries by surprise. Find some spare time, grab your sense of adventure and prepare to see Cape Town in a different light. Keep up with Andrew and his escapades on twitter: @ guy_with_camera or visit one of his many websites: www.guywithcamera.co.za www.breestreet.co.za http://lifelovelenses.com http://portraitofanation.co.za