Mal oor Maboneng

Gina Beretta — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:24:58 +0000

WOORDE Malibongwe Tyilo

Andrew Sprawson se aangrypende bolpuntpenskets van Maboneng het ons geïnspireer om hierdie kitsgids tot Maboneng saam te stel – dit is beslis tans een van kookwater ontwerperplekke in Suid-Afrika!

Binnestedelike vernuwing is geruime tyd reeds ’n groot gonswoord in Suid-Afrikaanse stede. Dit kan ’n taamlik netelige proses wees wat nie altyd die identiteit van die oorspronklike inwoners in ag neem nie, en die suksesvolste vernuwingsprojekte word altyd gekenmerk deur ’n fyn balans tussen die behoeftes van ou en die nuwe inwoners.

Dit is ook presies wat die Maboneng-distrik in die Johannesburgse middestad so spesiaal maak. Hoewel dit dalk met die eerste oogopslag lyk of die “kunstige” inwoners en winkels in kontras staan met die grinterigheid van die Goudstad se eens wilde strate, probeer Maboneng glad nie sy ligging in die ooste van die middestad ontken nie. Dis allermins maklik om dié balans te handhaaf, en soms voel ’n mens tog ’n tikkie spanning in die lug. Maar dis juis hierdie paradoks, hierdie soeke na ’n identiteit wat vrede het teenstrydighede, wat kunstenaars na die buurt lok.

Jy hoef net ’n draai te maak by Arts On Main, die 12 Decades Art Hotel of die jaarlikse STR.CRD-jeugkultuur-en-musiekfees in die distrik om die toekomsgerigte houdings te ervaar wat besig is om hierdie deel van Jozi te herdefinieer.

Andrew Sprawson se kunswerk “Car guard” vat die teenstellings van hierdie binnestedelike bestaan mooi saam. Dié bolpuntpentekening beeld ’n eensame motorwag buite die 12 Decades Art Hotel uit en het aan hom ’n posisie as finalis in die 2012 Absa L’Atelier-kunstoekennings besorg. “Ek word geboei deur die newe-effekte van binnestedelike vernuwing,” sê Andrew. “Hoewel die onderwerp ’n plaaslike inwoner is, verdien hy sy brood en botter deur die luuksemotors van besoekers aan die distrik op te pas.”

Kap in Maboneng ’n es by…

SLAAP & FUIF: 12 Decades Art Hotel
Dié boetiekhotel op die boonste verdieping van die Main Street Life-gebou spog met 12 kamers wat elkeen deur ’n top- Suid-Afrikaanse ontwerper ontwerp is. Die hotel se gewilde Rooftop Bar is ’n gunsteling onder Johannesburg se hipsters, veral op Sondagmiddae wanneer kookwater DJ’s wys wat in hulle steek by die ekletiese byeenkoms Sunday in the City.
• 011 026 5601, 12decadeshotel.co.za

EET: The Canteen
Hierdie binnestedelike restaurant tussen die galerye van Arts on Main spog met betonmure wat versag word deur eklektiese meng-en-pas-meubels.
• 011 334 5947, artsonmain.co.za

KOOP: Loincloth and Ashes
Die plaaslike modeontwerper Anisa Mpungwe het ’n vlagskipboetiek geopen by die opgeknapte Main Change-gebou by Krugerstraat 20.
• 072 143 2312, loinclothandashes.com

mabonengprecinct.com

The post Mal oor Maboneng appeared first on Visi.

Mad About Maboneng

Gina Beretta — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:05:16 +0000

WORDS Malibongwe Tyilo

Lees in Afrikaans.

Inspired by Andrew Sprawson’s poignant ballpoint-pen drawing of Maboneng, we put together this quick guide to one of the most happening places in South Africa right now.

Inner-city rejuvenation has been a catch phrase in SA cities for a while now. It can be a tricky process that is unkind to the identities of the original residents – and can only really be labelled a success if it balances the needs of both old and new inhabitants.

That is the magic of Maboneng Precinct in inner-city Johannesburg. While its arty residents and businesses sometimes seem in contrast to Jozi’s tough streets, the precinct does not shy away from the identity of its location in the east of the city. It is not an easy balance to maintain, and at times one can feel a slight lifestyle tension in the air. But it is this paradox, this search for an identity that embraces a contradictory existence, which attracts so much artistic talent to the area.

You only have to visit Arts On Main, the 12 Decades Art Hotel, or the annual STR.CRD youth culture and music festival held at the precinct to witness the forward-thinking attitudes that are redefining this part of Jozi.

Perhaps one of the best expressions of the contradictions shaping this new inner-city existence is Andrew Sprawson’s Car Guard. The ballpoint-pen drawing depicts a lonely late-night car guard outside the 12 Decades Art Hotel, and is shortlisted in the 2012 Absa L’Atelier Art Awards. Says Andrew, “I am fascinated by the side effects of inner-city gentrification. Though the subject is a local resident, his living is earned by guarding the luxury cars that belong to visitors to the area.”

When in Maboneng…

Stay & Play
12 Decades Art Hotel Situated on the top floor of the Main Street Life building, this boutique hotel has 12 rooms, each individually designed by a top SA designer. The hotel’s Rooftop Bar has become a popular hangout for some of Joburg’s hippest crowds, especially on Sunday afternoons, when its eclectic Sunday in the City event features some of the city’s hottest deejays.
• 011 026 5601, 12decadeshotel.co.za

Eat
The Canteen Concrete walls softened by mismatched furniture characterises this inner-city eatery, located between the galleries at Arts on Main.
• 011 334 5947, artsonmain.co.za

Shop
Loincloth and Ashes Local fashion designer Anisa Mpungwe has opened a flagship boutique at the revamped Main Change building at 20 Kruger Street.
• 072 143 2312, loinclothandashes.com