December 6, 2005
By Ndaba Dlamini
MAIN Street, in the centre of Johannesburg, has been turned into a Christmas tree forest. A variety of artists were roped in to display their trees in celebration of the rejuvenation of the inner city this festive season.
The project, dubbed the African Christmas Tree Promenade, is in its second year. According to the organisers, it is an opportunity for "well and lesser known artists to showcase their talents in creating contemporary African trees and sponsoring companies to express their commitment towards public ventures".
Co-ordinated by Unplugged, a communications company, and Liza Essers, an art curator and art dealer, the project is sponsored by Anglo American South Africa, Mondi, De Beers and Cell C, among others.
"It is an initiative that aims to bring art into the public arena and add a certain sparkle to the inner city this Christmas," Essers explains.
The trees frame 44 Main Street, Anglo's Johannesburg corporate offices since the 1930s. Main Street was recently upgraded and now has a tranquil and clean atmosphere, befitting for the Christmas decorations.
They are designed and constructed using a variety of materials from stained glass, bottles and car parts to metal, wire, resin, fabric, Perspex and glitter. The materials used are a way to express South African culture, circumstances and way of life.
A number of artists were selected to take part in this year's project, including Angus Taylor, Gina Waldman, Usha Seejarim, Kgasio Pat Mautloa, John Molteno, David Roussouw and the Craft Council. Ziphiwo Mbokazi, Tumelo Mokopakgosi and Velaphi Masondo from Funda Community College are also taking part.
"The symbolic tree is topped with an impala-drawn sled driven by an old man carrying a stained glass South African flag representing democracy," explains Roussouw of his tree. He also took part last year.
"In addition, figures and symbols representing the seasonal inspiration and the simple cut-out doll shapes which are incorporated in the final ring are symbolic of the ideals of equality and unity among all people."
Taylor's tree is made from folded aluminium sheeting, pop riveted into cylindrical forms and then attached to one another.
"The stem and branches taper from thick to thin and are finished off with aluminium wire leaves. The top has a five-pointed star that is made from the same material [using] the same method," he says.
Inspired by a Cell C campaign, Gina Waldman's tree is made of a real tree trunk base in a steel bucket with a two-dimensional panel made of branches festooned with intricate, cut-out metalwork. She calls her tree "The Peace Tree".
"The branches are embellished with painted images that are generally considered to be typically South African, images I have adapted from motifs of popular culture. These motifs come from packaging or postcards or even fabrics," Waldman says.
For Usha Seejarim, her tree represents the need for and access to water and electricity, two basic services that the government aims to provide to all residents. Her tree is made up of plastic buckets, a typical household object.
"Thus, the bucket represents familiarity, domesticity, cleansing, the ability to contain and the capacity to transport its contents. In its use for a Christmas tree however, the utilitarian function of the bucket is denied as it offers its life to public sculpture," she explains.
The overall shape of Seejarim's tree is that of a stereotypical pine Christmas tree. "The structure of the tree is made with a steel armature from which a series of plastic buckets hang.
"The bottom of the tree has the most buckets and they reduce as they ascend towards the top of the tree. All the buckets face downwards resembling the form of bells. Each bucket has a light bulb inside that illuminates the bucket."
To emphasise the tree aspect of the sculpture, green and white marble patterned buckets were used; each bucket is also decorated with beads, buttons and other trinkets.
Essers explains that the exhibition is meant to develop the relationship between South African artists and Johannesburg residents and tourists.
"It creates an opportunity, not only to expose, but also to develop an unwritten language between their artworks. It encourages visitors to go into the inner city over the Christmas period to experience these sculptural landmarks."
The lights on the Christmas trees were switched on on 29 November. The exhibition will run until 7 January next year.
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