Fountains Circle wrapped in purple fabric
A guerilla artist group decorated the Fountains Circle in an unusual way.
Decorations from 2010 at the Fountains Circle in Groenkloof has come under attack by a “guerrilla artist group” calling itself Motherlode.
The group has wrapped the stone gabions at the circle in bright purple fabric and decorated it with paper flowers to draw attention to their “inappropriateness”.
It described the gabions and other decorations installed by the Tshwane metro for the 2010 soccer World Cup as “an act of defacement of the original beautifully designed circle”.
“After the first flurry of public criticism to the new landmark, a member of the mayoral committee responded by giving the assurance that it would look considerably better once the plants have grown,” Motherlode said in a statement.
“One cannot help but recall Frank Lloyd Wright’s witticism about doctors burying their mistakes and architects covering theirs in ivy.”
Motherlode’s intervention forms part of the Cool Capital Biennale, which has been described as a platform for citizens of the capital city to express why they love the city, and how they can improve it.
“This serves as a critique of the current state of design in public spaces. By countering the brutalism of stonewalls and iron bars with the use of fabric and paper flowers, Motherlode wants to draw attention to the inappropriateness of the existing design solution,” the group said.
“Through an urban intervention, Motherlode aims to foster positive transformation and a culture of active citizenry. The entrance to the city of Tshwane deserves a considered design solution, representative of its friendly and hospitable people.”
Carla Taljaard, project coordinator of Cool Capital Biennale 2014, said the 2010 decorations were laid out to form the image of the world cup logo.
“[It is] something which may be apparent when viewed from a hovering helicopter but otherwise quite meaningless. The high flown idea of making a bold and significant statement, found expression in an act of defacement of the original, beautifully designed, circle.”
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
