26 June 2006
By Neil Fraser
THE recent, and excellent, PricewaterhouseCoopers report Cities of the future - global competition, local leadership suggests that successful cities have various asset groups or capitals "that form the basis for developing a strategic agenda that will take a city forward". These capitals cover the people: knowledge; natural resources; technical infrastructure; finances; democratic and political aspects and cultural values that a city embodies.
In discussing the last issue, the report says: "Today's cities make a virtue of their atmosphere, their heritage and nightlife. But more than this, they develop an intangible quality of creation and innovation."
Later the report offers these observations ... "the encounter between people who seek experiences and cities which want to offer them, creates the 'experience economy'. The experience economy has its origin in an economy where cultural life and industry meet productively. This economy is built on the added value which creativity brings to both new and more traditional goods and services…. The driving force in this economy is the actual experience, independent of where it is created and communicated, whether through museum, theatre, festivals, creation of identity, storytelling or branding."
The Origins Centre on the Wits campus is a great addition to Joburg's experience economy.
I have been meaning to visit the centre since it opened in March but for one reason or another just never managed to get there. However, I had an invitation to join members of the Gauteng Tourism Industry on a visit to the centre last evening and grabbed the opportunity.
The Origins Centre is situated on the south-western edge of the east Wits Campus, right at the De Korte Street entrance.
We were welcomed by the curator, Dr Geoff Blundell, and Francis Gerard, who has been working on the development of the project for some four years. These projects take great effort and determination, and time.
Brilliantly told story
Quoting from the visitor's guide: "The Origins Centre offers visitors a unique experience of Africa's rich, complex and sometimes mysterious past … the narrative structure of the museum takes visitors through an extraordinary visit of discovery. The journey begins with the origins of humankind in Africa's and then moves through the development of art, symbolism, technology - the very things that give us our humanity - on the continent. The journey then continues through the destruction of the great and diverse southern Africa rock art tradition - the world's oldest continuous art forms - at the hands of colonists before ending, more positively, with the rediscovery of these ancient masterworks in a contemporary world… unashamedly Africa-centric, the Origins Centre seeks to restore the continent to its rightful place in history - as a place where everything that makes us who we are today originated."
This is an offering that is brilliantly conceived and presented. It is a story told through a mixture of static displays - beautifully presented - and film, video and interactive computer programmes that is as good, if not better, than anything I have seen worldwide. It is set in spaces, which are designed to celebrate the exhibits it houses. It shows that while human origins were traditionally traced to Europe some 40 000 years back, the earliest hominids, in fact, developed in eastern and southern Africa some four million years ago and African stone tools have been dated back over two-and-a-half million years.
The story reflects the diaspora from Africa across the globe. It delves into the development of modern human DNA; the beginnings of humanity's creativity and the world's most continuous art form, rock art.
It entwines science and technology. The story focuses on the San as those responsible for Middle and Later Stone Age art by unpacking San thought, rituals and beliefs. The 16 display areas are linked by two motifs drawn from San rock art, the "veil" and the "thread" but you need to visit the centre to learn about those. A fascinating and evocative journey.
The group I was with had an outstanding guide in the person of Brian Mogale, who exudes quiet passion and enthusiasm interspersed with humour, all attributes that are so essential in guiding.
I understand that all the guides had to undertake a Wits first-year archaeology course in rock art. This was condensed into a three-month intensive period where the guides were exposed to some of the best brains in the world on the subject. A tough practical examination followed. It certainly came through as Brian led us through the intricacies of the subject, with great feeling and humour.
One can choose not to have the services of a guide, as self-guided tours are possible utilising hand-held technology that provides a recorded commentary on the exhibits in six languages - English, Afrikaans, Sotho, Zulu, German and French.
Computer touch screens are utilised brilliantly - students can email the contents of various interactive programmes back to themselves for project work! My schooling was never like that - mind you, the abacus had probably not yet been invented when I started school. Well, maybe not as bad as that, but I did attend the 60-something anniversary of our sub-A class earlier this year.
The Centre opens at 9am seven days a week and I understand that the Origins Centre offers conference and event facilities.
To round off the evening we had drinks and snacks in the centre's café - Café Fino. This is another fine addition to the city's growing stock of coffee shops that also offer breakfasts and light meals. While I haven't had a meal there, their snacks and service were excellent. The manager, Jan Cornelessen, tells me that they also cater for groups and events.
For more information on the Origins Centre call the info desk at 011 717 4700 or info@originscentre.co.za. The Café Fino is also 011 717 4700 or contact Jan Cornelessen on 082 779 6624.
Heritage, innovation, experience, the experience economy, creativity, storytelling … you want to taste it, it's on your doorstep and the Origins Centre is a great addition to the City's offering.
Enjoy the city,
Regards, Neil
PS. A contact for all kinds of information on "living… and loving" the city can be found on www.represent.co.za.
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