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| Johannesburg's art scene is thriving, but at what price? | Johannesburg's art scene is thriving, but at what price? |
| (30 days later) | |
| At the heart of Africa’s highly diverse artistic production has been the reinforcing of major African cities as cultural capitals. From Lagos to Nairobi, Dakar to Harare and Luanda these cities have become central to the growth of the African continent both economically and artistically. | At the heart of Africa’s highly diverse artistic production has been the reinforcing of major African cities as cultural capitals. From Lagos to Nairobi, Dakar to Harare and Luanda these cities have become central to the growth of the African continent both economically and artistically. |
| It’s what Cameroonian philosopher and critic Achille Mbembe calls the “afropolis”, speaking specifically of Johannesburg and generally of these major cities as cosmopolitan spaces implicated in – and shaped by – complex and asymmetrical global flows of ideas, goods, capital and people. | It’s what Cameroonian philosopher and critic Achille Mbembe calls the “afropolis”, speaking specifically of Johannesburg and generally of these major cities as cosmopolitan spaces implicated in – and shaped by – complex and asymmetrical global flows of ideas, goods, capital and people. |
| But as these major cities undergo renewal in order to provide the necessary infrastructure to position themselves as global cities, questions inevitably arise over the implications associated with urban redevelopment. This can be seen clearly in Johannesburg, long considered a major economic and cultural city in South Africa which is undergoing continued urban renewal especially in its arts precincts like Maboneng and Newtown. | But as these major cities undergo renewal in order to provide the necessary infrastructure to position themselves as global cities, questions inevitably arise over the implications associated with urban redevelopment. This can be seen clearly in Johannesburg, long considered a major economic and cultural city in South Africa which is undergoing continued urban renewal especially in its arts precincts like Maboneng and Newtown. |
| A city at work to remake itself | A city at work to remake itself |
| Mirroring major urban redevelopment in international cities such as Berlin, New York and London, Johannesburg is beginning to find success in re-imagining its cultural landscape. As current Johannesburg mayor Mpho Parks Tau said, it is “a city at work to remake itself.” As a result, the Maboneng district has blossomed into a –privately developed – arts mecca with lofts, chic cafes and independent film theatres, and after numerous failed redevelopments, Newtown is finally beginning to realise its potential as the precinct awaits the 1.3 bn rand (£74, 748, 000) Newtown Junction shopping centre. | |
| This reinvigoration of Newtown in particular (which was planned as early as 2005), has seemingly done wonders for the cultural and artistic climate of the city. | This reinvigoration of Newtown in particular (which was planned as early as 2005), has seemingly done wonders for the cultural and artistic climate of the city. |
| “It [Newtown] is an area where everyone can participate in the burgeoning arts scene regardless of social status or wealth,” says editor of Epicure and Culture, Jessica Festa. | “It [Newtown] is an area where everyone can participate in the burgeoning arts scene regardless of social status or wealth,” says editor of Epicure and Culture, Jessica Festa. |
| Newtown was born out of disaster: a deliberate fire in 1904 destroyed the original precinct. But since the 1970s, the area has continually welcomed artists, after a host of creatives moved into various abandoned industrial buildings in the area, ultimately sparking its cultural development which has since seen it flourish into what many consider to be Johannesburg’s chief arts precinct. | Newtown was born out of disaster: a deliberate fire in 1904 destroyed the original precinct. But since the 1970s, the area has continually welcomed artists, after a host of creatives moved into various abandoned industrial buildings in the area, ultimately sparking its cultural development which has since seen it flourish into what many consider to be Johannesburg’s chief arts precinct. |
| “We loved being in Newtown and consider it one of the best places for culture in Johannesburg, and I really think of it as the heart of the city,” says deputy director of the French Institute, Denis Charles Courdent. | “We loved being in Newtown and consider it one of the best places for culture in Johannesburg, and I really think of it as the heart of the city,” says deputy director of the French Institute, Denis Charles Courdent. |
| Artists and cities | Artists and cities |
| Playing host to numerous museums, galleries, and cultural spaces – most of which have either been initiated or redeveloped in accordance with the renewal programme – Newtown now boasts institutions such as Museum Africa, the historic Market Theatre and Mary Fitzgerald Square, with Goodman and Stevenson galleries nearby in Parkwood and Braamfontein respectively. | |
| Additionally the precinct has recently welcomed the Turbine Hall Art Fair – an event that arguably best embodies Newtown’s transformation, having developed out of renovations to the precinct’s iconic Turbine Hall. With the fair established in order to highlight local young emerging artists, it serves as a reminder of the reciprocal relationship between artist and city. | Additionally the precinct has recently welcomed the Turbine Hall Art Fair – an event that arguably best embodies Newtown’s transformation, having developed out of renovations to the precinct’s iconic Turbine Hall. With the fair established in order to highlight local young emerging artists, it serves as a reminder of the reciprocal relationship between artist and city. |
| Mohau Modisakeng, an emerging artist living in the city says: “My work would constitute itself differently if the context and environment changed.” | Mohau Modisakeng, an emerging artist living in the city says: “My work would constitute itself differently if the context and environment changed.” |
| Modisakeng’s belief that Johannesburg now exists as a “confluence of otherwise removed cultural influences,” reinforces the significance of places like Newtown for the city in providing an “environment with various cultures converging in one place.” | Modisakeng’s belief that Johannesburg now exists as a “confluence of otherwise removed cultural influences,” reinforces the significance of places like Newtown for the city in providing an “environment with various cultures converging in one place.” |
| An issue of displacement | An issue of displacement |
| Yet, still inexorable concerns continue to arise over the political and social implications relating to the city’s transformation. Unsurprisingly, it is the issue of displacement that remains a major concern. | Yet, still inexorable concerns continue to arise over the political and social implications relating to the city’s transformation. Unsurprisingly, it is the issue of displacement that remains a major concern. |
| Mail and Guardian writer Stefanie Jason believes that Johannesburg’s situation forms part of “the urban renewal narrative” where an “artist moves into a derelict space; this attracts property developers who renovate the building and increase the rent; the creatives – along with the long-term residents – vacate or are evicted from the building.” | Mail and Guardian writer Stefanie Jason believes that Johannesburg’s situation forms part of “the urban renewal narrative” where an “artist moves into a derelict space; this attracts property developers who renovate the building and increase the rent; the creatives – along with the long-term residents – vacate or are evicted from the building.” |
| This modus operandi has seen an increase in locals, like actress Honey Makwakwa and BLK JKS drummer Tshepang Ramboa, forced to find alternative spaces to live and work, as property values increase. | This modus operandi has seen an increase in locals, like actress Honey Makwakwa and BLK JKS drummer Tshepang Ramboa, forced to find alternative spaces to live and work, as property values increase. |
| “The city [of Johannesburg] has revalued … and basically shot through the roof – making the rates and taxes unaffordable,” says Makwakwa in an interview with the Mail and Guardian. | “The city [of Johannesburg] has revalued … and basically shot through the roof – making the rates and taxes unaffordable,” says Makwakwa in an interview with the Mail and Guardian. |
| We can’t stop change from happening. It’s a part of life. People come and go | We can’t stop change from happening. It’s a part of life. People come and go |
| Art city of the future | Art city of the future |
| Makwakwa’s sentiments highlight the double-edged nature of the city’s redevelopment. On one hand it has done wonders for Johannesburg’s cultural atmosphere with precincts like Newtown now thriving artistically, but it hasn’t come without the unavoidable ramifications often associated with gentrification. | Makwakwa’s sentiments highlight the double-edged nature of the city’s redevelopment. On one hand it has done wonders for Johannesburg’s cultural atmosphere with precincts like Newtown now thriving artistically, but it hasn’t come without the unavoidable ramifications often associated with gentrification. |
| Ultimately, the question remains of how to equally include the various demographics of the community, especially considering South Africa’s not too distant past, one that is littered with forced removals, issues of displacement and ethnic separation. Perhaps for now, settling with Ramboa’s belief that we “can’t stop change from happening. It’s a part of life. People come and go” as a placation, seems like a temporary, albeit ineffective resolution. | Ultimately, the question remains of how to equally include the various demographics of the community, especially considering South Africa’s not too distant past, one that is littered with forced removals, issues of displacement and ethnic separation. Perhaps for now, settling with Ramboa’s belief that we “can’t stop change from happening. It’s a part of life. People come and go” as a placation, seems like a temporary, albeit ineffective resolution. |
| This major conundrum aside, there is a palpable air of enthusiasm about Johannesburg. Now considered by the prominent arts publisher Phaidon to be one of the 12 Art Cities of the Future, Johannesburg continues to reinvigorate itself. It is enhancing its reputation as a global African city and in turn continues to support South Africa’s ever-growing and expanding artistic and cultural spheres. | This major conundrum aside, there is a palpable air of enthusiasm about Johannesburg. Now considered by the prominent arts publisher Phaidon to be one of the 12 Art Cities of the Future, Johannesburg continues to reinvigorate itself. It is enhancing its reputation as a global African city and in turn continues to support South Africa’s ever-growing and expanding artistic and cultural spheres. |
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