Bay at the end of the rainbow
FORGET the Rainbow Nation and rather think of this country as a mosaic, built up from diverse individual shapes, textures and shades which together form something vivid and durable that will outlast the ephemeral rainbow.
For an artistic interpretation of Heritage Month, slip into comfortable shoes and hit the pavements of Central Port Elizabeth where the public art on Route 67 tells a rich and historic tale through mosaics.
Dorelle Sapere of the Mandela Bay Development Agency, which conceptualised the project, said the metro’s first mosaic installation was in fact not on the Donkin but in Uitenhage’s Market Square.
The 67 pieces on the route are reference to 67 years in the life of the late Nelson Mandela. But although much of the art has been publicised, the mosaics are not often mentioned: after all, how often do you look down at your toes to appreciate art?
Ceramic artist Jane du Rand – formerly of Durban, but now living in Australia and working around the world – has had a hand in many of the pieces.
The first mosaic decorates stairs on Route 67. Done as a group collaboration with Du Rand it is “an experimental journey starting in. . . turbulence and progressing to a new dawn of colour, hope”.
Then, between the Pyramid on the Donkin Reserve and the Great Flag an NMMU student ceramic collective made a 470m² work of art to celebrate the multi-cultural background and abundant animal and plant life of this region.
Du Rand also worked with a team to make Lighthouse Mosaic Moments, a celebration of smaller symbols and icons within Port Elizabeth and surrounds. Former art student Lisbet Demeyer created Welcome Carpet in mosaic, at the entrance to the top edge of the reserve.
The Athenaeum has an unusual mosaic circle underpinning the sculpture Harmony in Nature. French artist Dominique Gulliot and team used an optical technique to reflect an image of mosaics onto a metal pillar.