Cape Town Conversation piece

This piece belongs to the range of products that explores the urban topography of South African cities.

The idea is simple – (re-)discover our cities or simply re-imagine them.

The map for the Cape Town conversation piece was carefully selected to reveal the DNA of the city, its topography, layering and complexity.  The 1891 map, a lithograph published in 1891 by W. A. Richards & Sons of Castle Street, Cape Town, was traced carefully and then cut into dark fabric to reveal itself in a new way.  The historical coastline of the city is exposed, tracing the memory of the city – like a palimpsest.

Hoewel die oorspronklike Nederlandse stad uitgelê is in ‘n streng roosterpatroon, het die stad daarna onder Britse heerskappy organies begin ontwikkel.  Twee verskillende buitelandse stadsboubenaderings het die stadsuitleg beïnvloed.  Aan die een kant het die Britse “garden city” of tuinstad-idee gelei tot die vorming van byvoorbeeld Pinelands, en dit was ook veronderstel om toegepas te word in areas soos Ndabeni/Langa.  Die tweede invloed is gebasseer op die Amerikaanse beginsel van “buurte” – groot, aparte ruimtes vir industriële, kommersiële en residensiële areas wat rondom die gebruik van die motorkar beplan is.  Soos ander stede in Suid-Afrika, is die stad verder vervorm deur apartheidbeleid en gevolglike rasseverdeling tussen 1948 en 1994.

Land reclamation of the foreshore started as early as 1937, so that it became the largest dry dock in the southern hemisphere by 1945.  Clearly visible in the cutting, is the Castle of Good Hope, a star-shaped fort built in the 17th century. It was originally located on the coastline of Table Bay, following land reclamation; the fort is now located inland. Also visible on the map, is the outline of the Amsterdam Battery, established in 1787, which was another of the major fortifications of Cape Town. It was part of a system of coastal fortifications constructed along Table Bay to defend the city against seaborne aggressors. The battery is located near the entrance of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

2500x600mm vinyl print

or

2500x600mm linen fabric cut out

(LIMITED RANGE)