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More public art is planned to soften the urban landscape. This time the call is for an artwork that will attract the eye of drivers entering the city through Pigeon Square.
The triangle where the artworks will placed is the favourite feeding spot of dozens of pigeons, which are fed by the local community
THE Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) is up to its arty ways again, and is calling for proposals for an artwork in the triangular Pigeon Square in the CBD.
At the intersection of Main and Main Reef roads in Ferrairasdorp, the triangle is the favourite feeding spot of dozens of pigeons, which are fed by the local community.
"The pigeons are part of the local landscape - they are to be taken into account when conceptualising the proposal," says project manager Brendan Copestake, from the School of Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand. Wits and the University of Johannesburg's faculty of art, design and architecture are working together on the project for the JDA.
The square will become the western gateway to the city, much like Clive van den Berg's Eland in Braamfontein marks the northern gateway.
A large, permanent artwork is envisaged, to be seen by motorists entering the city on Main and Main Reef roads, both one-way streets from the west.
"The site should not be seen as a pause area for pedestrians, but more for vehicular traffic," adds Copestake.
Lecture series
The two universities will use the proposals and project documentation in a lecture series.
"Artworks in any media will be considered, bearing in mind that the site is outdoors and exposed within an urban environment; therefore robust and easily maintained works would garner preference," explains Copestake.
Five proposals will be chosen from the first round of tenders. These artists will be given R4 000 to create a small-scale maquette, and to develop their proposals further. In the second round of judging, the final proposal will be selected.
Judges will be drawn from staff at the JDA, the City, Wits University, UJ, and independent art consultants.
The first proposal requirements include a written submission detailing intention, content, form and materials; visual elements such as photographs, sketches or artist's renderings; a loose budget breakdown to a maximum of R400 000; and a CV or resume including visual images and history of previous work.
Deadlines
First round proposals are to be submitted by Friday, 27 March. Final proposal requirements are due on 1 May.
These include a written submission further detailing intention, content, form and materials; improved visual elements such as photographs, sketches or artist's renderings; technical sketches showing the proposal details; a scale maquette; and an improved budget breakdown to a maximum of R400 000.
The winning proposal will be appointed on 8 May, and the installation of the artwork will be complete by 30 September, for the unveiling in October.
Proposals need to take into account the historical and physical elements of the site, as well as the surrounding building texture. Landmark buildings in the immediate area include the Family Court, the Tramway Building, the City's department of arts and culture building, the Joburg Art Bank, Turbine Hall, the Bus Factory, and the Joburg Central Police Station.
The artwork should be seen as a city marker aimed specifically at vehicular traffic. The pigeons must be taken into account in its creation, and it must be robust and vandal-resistant, with a 20-year lifespan. It must be easy to maintain.
Post proposals to Matilda Nong, Private Bag 3, Wits, 2030; or hand deliver them to Matilda Nong, Room 102, Wits School of Arts, corner Jorissen and Station streets, Newton; or email them to Jeremy Wafer at
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Further information can be obtained from Brendan Copestake on 011 482 4345 or
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