Reinterpret artefacts and space to change paradigms

The temporary artwork was created in the dust of the 13th floor of a neglected administration building in the Pretoria CBD. The building was constructed at the height of Apartheid; an epitome of Brazilian modernism and the international style, it fell into disrepair because of its uncomfortable past.

The dust artwork depicts the ghost of a sleeping Paul Kruger, the first President of the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek and is positioned in dialogue with an iconic mural "Discovery." by renowned South African master Alexis Preller.

The two artworks transcend different times in Pretoria’s history and represents different political and social paradigms through which both the building and artworks have survived.

The reinterpretation of the space and its artefacts proposes that historic artefacts should be appreciated from multiple perspectives.

Transform symbols and icons to reconcile

The Voortrekker Monument was designed as an iconic landmark of Pretoria and constructed in the Art Deco style in 1938-1949. It commemorates the Great Trek of Dutch pioneers in 1838, and has remained a contested symbol of the Afrikaner nationality.

The building’s striking location as landmark gave it the potential to be easily transformed into something different with the use of light.

In September of 2014 during the Cool Capital months, the monument was temporarily lit up in pink every night - reconciling old symbolisms and transforming them to become meaningful in a post-Apartheid South Africa.

Connect people to place and to each other

An aerial view of the Pretoria reveals a sprawling metropole originating from a rigid Centuriation grid structure with Church Square at its core in the CBD.

The development of the city was further indirectly informed by the landscape and heavily influenced by institutionalised racial segregation during the Apartheid era. The result is a series of disconnected and isolated but diverse pockets of development in the city.

Duplan's artwork captures Cool Capital's intent to connect these detached parts of the city both physically and theoretically by firstly creating an awareness of spatial design and secondly by organizing a platform for people of diverse backgrounds to interact.

Celebrate the diversity of your city

The Teater Vol Stoele project captures the multifaceted urban experiences of Pretoria as encountered by individual citizens.

Learners were instructed to illustrate a topic pertaining to the city of Pretoria on a chair. Topics included historic buildings and figures as well as the diverse experience of being in the CBD today. Learners personalised their chairs by painting an object on the chair seat in a tromp l’oeil manner.

This project formed part of a bigger initiative to couple high school learners with their city through the art curriculum.

Community means integrating both professionals and citizens

snorre & ladders is the product of an Open Foundry event held at bronze sculptor Guy du Toit's studio and foundry in Pretoria, South Africa.

Visitors to the foundry were each given a piece of wax and asked to model a moustache that reminded them of Pretoria's nickname Snorstad (Moustache City). The title of Snorstad refers to the high concentration of stereotypical civil servants and military personnel residing in the capital city - each with a moustache.

A total of 60 moustaches were cast in bronze and sculpted together to make a playful game of snorre and ladders (similar to snakes and ladders)- representing the ups and downs ofcity life.

Urban Furniture should be Functional Art

Cool Capital commissioned 10 bespoke public benches as part of its Let’s Sit campaign.

The project was motivated by the belief that public spaces should be places for free and creative expression and that urban furniture could be used to activate spaces and inspire citizens to engage with each other and to reflect on their environment.

The benches were delivered without permission from authorities in a guerrilla popup fashion, and since its installation two years ago, all ten benches are loved and used by thousands of commuters, visitors and citizens. Two cardboard reproductions are exhibited.

The extruded logo bench is situated at the Pretoria Gautrain Station where the symbolic map welcomes commuters and travellers.

Local culture can enrich the urban context

Cool Capital commissioned 10 bespoke public benches as part of its Let's Sit campaign.

The project was motivated by the belief that public spaces should be places for free and creative expression and that urban furniture could be used to activate spaces and inspire citizens to engage with each other and to reflect on their environment.

The benches were delivered without permission from authorities in a guerrilla popup fashion, and since its installation two years ago, all ten benches are loved and used by thousands of commuters, visitors and citizens. Two cardboard reproductions are exhibited.

The koeksister bench was inspired by a traditional confectionary typical of South African cuisine - the humble koeksister. Despite its apparent simplicity - it takes great skill to craft the perfect koeksister.

The faceted and sculptural form pays tribute to of late architect Zaha Hadid.

Activism is an indication that the time is ripe for change

Stop in the Name of Love formed part of a series of urban activist projects which focussed on providing commentary and highlighting specific aspects of the urban context.

This urban activist project engaged the issue of pedestrian safety and driver awareness.

This issue bears specific reference to Pretoria - a vehicle-orientated city without sufficient pedestrian amenities.

As a tongue-in-cheek makeshift crossing, this installation left pedestrians with a sense of acknowledgment, security, privilege and selfworth.

Use available resources

The Stone Spiral Mandala installation took place in Mamelodi on the ridge of the Magalies Mountain. The site was previously used as an informal garbage heap, and the surrounding veld had been badly burnt.

The installation was both land art intervention and cleansing ritual. The artists confronted the derelict nature of the context by engaging with members of the surrounding community and enacting a cleansing ritual performed by Selogadi Mampane with all present.

With very limited means, this installation employed design as a tool for creating conversations about the environment, city and community.

Temporary and liminal interventions can make lasting impressions

Vasgepende Vervlietenheid II is a travelling art piece and a metaphor of an African identity, referring to the adapter, traveller or nomad.

Reflecting this transient quality of the theme, the artwork momentarily transformed the school grounds, echoing "a fleeting moment of liminal beauty".

Citizens are real people with real aspirations

Saadjies (Pods) is a travelling exhibition of 68 miniature sculptures (18cm x 18cm 18cm) as part of Cool Capital's initiative to exhibit excellent sculpture made in Pretoria both locally and abroad- thereby creating the awareness of the city's impressive sculptural heritage.

Saadjies challenges the notion that public sculpture can only be created by famous artists and should be impressively large. Saadjies are exhibited in public spaces and in cities worldwide, including here in Venice (make sure to look for them in unexpected places).

The three timber figures by sculptor Ike Nkoana captures and celebrates the aspiration of local African woman on their way home from work.

The figures refer to the diversity of citizens inhabiting a living city - each person playing a crucial part in a growing urban environment.

Look out for other Saadjies exhibited temporarily in Venice and find this project on Instagram.

#saadjies

Activists have an individual touch to problem solving

Saadjies (Pods) is a travelling exhibition of 68 miniature sculptures (18cm x 18cm 18cm) as part of Cool Capital's initiative to exhibit excellent sculpture made in Pretoria both locally and abroad- thereby creating the awareness of the city's impressive sculptural heritage.

Saadjies challenges the notion that public sculpture can only be created by famous artists and should be impressively large. Saadjies are exhibited in public spaces and in cities worldwide, including here in Venice (make sure to look for them in unexpected places).

Sculptor and dentist Izanne Wiid's Black Box is a collection of the fingers of some members of Pretoria's creative community who took part as volunteers in 2014 Cool Capital - depicting the individual nature of their contributions.

Look out for other Saadjies exhibited temporarily in Venice and find this project on Instagram.

#saadjies

Build your city.

Saadjies (Pods) is a travelling exhibition of 68 miniature sculptures (18cm x 18cm 18cm) as part of Cool Capital's initiative to exhibit excellent sculpture made in Pretoria both locally and abroad- thereby creating the awareness of the city's impressive sculptural heritage.

Saadjies challenges the notion that public sculpture can only be created by famous artists and should be impressively large. Saadjies are exhibited in public spaces and in cities worldwide, including here in Venice (make sure to look for them in unexpected places).

The Brick by Sybrand Wiechers consists of all the elements used to construct a city: glass, concrete, steel, copper and asphalt. All the materials in the brick was found locally and theoretically, if you planted this brick it could grow into a city - a perfect Pretoria-bomb.

Look out for other Saadjies exhibited temporarily in Venice and find this project on Instagram.

#saadjies