Through impressions made during our stay, we have reflected on both the physical and the ambiguous boundaries in the city. Undertaking various projects in public space we hope to present and question these boundaries and dichotomies. The aim is not to criticise or force change, but rather to engage those who view the work with the tangible and intangible boundaries.
Woodstock, undergoing a process of reimagining as creative industries expand out of city centre, is a poignant stage for the dichotomous boundaries manifest in various forms. This is where we have informed the process of the exhibition through living and working in the neighbourhood.
Mirroring and inverting these boundaries through subtle gestures and actions simply brings back to attention the historically engrained boundaries accepted in everyday life. The playful nature of the interventions is an attempt to take a positive position in contrast to, and despite of, the self-constraining imposition of boundaries in Woodstock, as well as reflect our positive experience of the area and city.
Similarly, the specific use of the official street signage colours of black, red, and golden yellow at once plays a role in subverting established structures while also playing on the colours of the German national flag. This is a means of self-reflection on our activities in the area and a reference to the German take over for the exhibition.
Our first intervention in Woodstock was the changing of the colours of robots and street signs. Going unnoticed, these changes to the landscape are as benign as the conceived social structures still perpetuated in the area.
The appropriation of the billboard on Albert Street serves to highlight the dichotomy between superficial attempts at maintaining order and the structures that actually define everyday life. Breaking means of control in order to put up the message reflecting popular attitudes forces the point that boundaries are enforced by the social structures in place.
Continuing the process of post-apartheid name changes in public space and the beautification of the city in the build up to the world cup, the replacement of the Gympie Street sign with a street name from Camps Bay is symbolic of the often negligent procedures ignoring history while re-enforcing historical boundaries.
As a way to say thank you to Cape Town, in appreciation of our time here, we used an advertising silo as a fireworks rocket.
No comments:
Post a Comment