DESIGN 19
5 DESIGN TRIBUTES:
MANDELA’S CENTENARY From stained glass dedications of religious icons to grand-scale oil paintings of royalty and statues of war heroes, for millennia, artists and designers have been paying tribute to the world’s icons through their work. These monuments are meant to honour and sometimes comment on and commemorate moments in history – and there are few historical fi gures as recognised as South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, visionary, humanist, President and leader Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, born 100 years ago on 18 July. Throughout the city of Cape Town, you’ll fi nd places dedicated to his struggle and ideals. “Madiba’s had an immense impact on my life,”
says Ravi Naidoo, founder of Design Indaba, one of three key contributors to the recently-erected Arch for Arch, a design dedicated to the work of Mandela, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and SA’s Constitution. “We started our business at the dawn of our democracy and wanted to fi nd platforms to articulate and manifest the vision of Madiba and the vision of Archbishop Emeritus Tutu.” Along with Norwegian-based studio Snohetta, Ravi and South African architectural fi rm Local Studio conceptualised the Arch for Arch, a 14-beamed physical manifestation of the 14 chapters of the Constitution. The structure demonstrates that SA is championing design as a way of commemorating and celebrating key moments in history, and challenging traditional statues and monuments with innovative creations that respect their environment and the people who interact with it. “The reason I love spending time with designers is
4. Claudette Schreuders’ sculpture of Nelson Mandela in Nobel Square. 5. Arch for Arch
represents the 14 chapters of SA’s
Constitution.
that they lean optimistically forward into the future,” notes Ravi. “They’re the most progressive people on the planet. Everything they look at, they want to make better. It’s that attitude we need more of. We need a creative army to help us re-imagine SA.” Visit these landmarks of Madiba’s legacy in Cape
Town on the centenary of his birth: Arch for Arch at St George’s Cathedral: This structure of interlinking beams represents the history of SA and its core values. The design sits unimposingly at the entrance to the leafy Company’s Garden, immersed in its natural surrounds. Cape Town City Hall: This was where, just hours after being released from prison, Nelson Mandela gave his fi rst public speech as a free man. The grand Edwardian building breathes history and remains an important space for people to gather. Situated on the Grand Parade, it was designed for large gatherings and it’s here that locals came together after the former President’s death for an emotional vigil, celebrating his life through song, speech and dance. Nobel Square: Designed and brought to life by local sculptor Claudette Schreuders, the four sculptures that sit against the V&A Waterfront’s distinctive harbour and mountainside backdrop possess the distinctive characteristics – stocky statures and outsize features – associated with the artist. The works represent each of the country’s
Nobel Peace Laureates, with Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Mandela alongside Struggle visionary Nkosi Albert Luthuli and former President FW de Klerk, who was pivotal in beginning the formal liberation process in SA.
©DESIGN INDABA
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