Route 67 - New Artwork

This weekend Suzie and I went to the Donkin to check out the latest artwork, which turned out to be a very cheerful piece of work. I still need to find out the name of the artist and the name of the work.

Close-up of some of the panels, which I believe are made from the caps of medicine bottles.

Route 67, is an amazing project displaying street art from the Campanile near the harbour, to the Nelson Mandela Bay Art Museum at St Georges Park. It was named in honour of the 67 years that Nelson Mandela contributed to South African politics and the struggle to eradicate apartheid.

Taxi art #2 - Route 67

Last night I went on a photographic jaunt to look for some material for the Pentax World Day. My natural inclination was to head for Central and imagine my delight when I saw the "taxis" on Route 67 were lit up. For once there were no cars illegally parked, which meant that I could use the no parking area at the Opera House and and get some shots.

Then as I was leaving I saw an opportunity that was too good to miss and lady luck provided me with an open parking spot further down the hill. And then with a chatty car guard in tow, I captured the taxi "parked" on the Land Rover.

He added a new meaning to the term "chimping" as he wanted to see all the shots and then called over the security guard, from the Opera House, to have a look as well. They were intrigued that I had conceived of the idea to park the "taxi" on the roof of the Land Rover.

"Are you a designer," I was asked.

"No," I replied, "just an enthusiastic amateur photographer."

With that we said our farewells and I continued on my quest.

Skywatch Friday - Black sky

Black skies on their own are definitely not very appealing, so I decided to bring the old lighthouse on the Donkin into the picture, as it provides a nice contrast against the night sky.

Another view of the Donkin, with the moon rising over the Bay.

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Taxi art - Route 67

I have decided to keep with the Route 67 theme, with this fleet of mini bus taxis coming up Whites Road opposite the opera house.

In keeping with reality these taxis come complete with scratches and dents.

Skywatch Friday - Route 67

This is one of the new sculptures along Route 67 in Port Elizabeth, but I am not sure what it is called or what it represents. If I have to venture a guess, the loops represent the voting line and propellers the crosses on ballot papers from the 1994 elections. I'll have to check this out.

Anyway it is one of 67 Public Art Works commissioned to symbolise Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of work dedicated to the Freedom of South Africa. 

This is what it looks like when you lie on your back on the sidewalk

I was on my feet when I took this shot, trying to get a good angle.

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Skywatch Friday - A bright day in Nelson Mandela Bay

The new look ArtEC building has become a symbol of urban renewal in Central, where many of the old buildings have been allowed to fall into decay. The mural was commissioned by the Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency as part of the Route 67 - the art route that starts at the Campanile and ends at the Nelson Mandela Bay Art Museum. This route will put Port Elizabeth firmly on the map as far as street art goes, but that will be a subject for another day.

I just love the way the colours of the building are enhanced by the blue of the early morning sky.

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Night shoot

Last night I wandered around Central after the opening of an art exhibition at arTEC taking a few pictures on the way. It was what I call a "hit and run" photography session. With no one to watch my back I set my camera on ISO 1600 and proceeded to shoot away and then move on.

The arTEC building mural has become a must see feature in Central. One day I will photograph it in the day light.

The Donkin, with Anton Momberg's Conversation Piece in the foreground.

The Feather Market Hall was built in the days when ostrich feathers were used in high fashion, rather than as feather dusters.

artEC Mural

The artEC (formerly the Eastern Province Society for Arts and Crafts) building, in Bird Street has recently undergone a major facelift, with a mural done by Gabriel Chipondo and Bongani Njalo. The pictures are all of people who line and work in the area.

The building is already becoming a a popular backdrop for photographic shoots.

More black and white - Sculpture

A different look at the at the sculpture, by Anton Momberg, at the Donkin, where public art has taken on a new meaning.

Public Art

Public art is coming to the Donkin in a big way, but at this stage only one piece has been completed. How would you rate this sculpture by Anton Momberg?

Serious art?

or fun art?