The City of Cape Town is proud to support the land art completed at three sites in the metro. Created by international artist Saype, the art forms part of his international Beyond the Walls Project. The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Service and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, and the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, attended the launch of the completed artwork in Sea Point.
The Swiss-based artist completed three land art projects: one at the Sea Point Promenade, one at Philippi Business Village and one at an open park at Bunga Square, Langa.
The Beyond the Walls Project aims to build unity, hope and mutual respect through land art.
Although the original plan was to create an artwork in Sea Point, which has been in planning for months, the artist wanted to add an additional land art and was impressed by Langa’s energy and creative input.
The City’s Arts and Culture Branch and the Recreation and Parks Department played a supportive role in facilitating the necessary application, permission and administrative processes. Baz-Art who facilitated the artwork by Saype, is accredited with the City to create public artworks in the city. Baz-Art liaised and consulted with several community members in Langa and they were very excited about the project.
The completion of the artwork on the Sea Point Promenade opposite 237 Beach Road was launched on Monday, 25 January 2021.
‘The monumental piece of land art, the Beyond the Walls Project, symbolises Nelson Mandela’s will to reconcile and intertwine, beyond inequalities. It comes with a message of hope, humanity, and respect during a time that the world needs it most,’ said Councillor Badroodien
Backed by Africa’s International Public Art Festival, Cape Town is now part of the Beyond the Walls Project that showcase the longest human chain in the world. According to the artist, who uses eco-friendly methods and material, it is important to connect creative land artwork to as many communities as possible.
During the creation of the artwork in Langa, the artist covered the costs of adding an extra site which requires specialised equipment, staff, and unique pigments shipped in from Switzerland.
‘We would like to acknowledge all the roleplayers, especially the Swiss Embassy, that assisted in the project and that made this special art a reality. Communities in the three areas can now enjoy the work by an international artist on their doorstep. Let us unite in hope, appreciation and understanding that communities are interdependent. Residents should take co-ownership of the City’s open spaces and parks. By working together we will be able to face all the challenges in these difficult times. A special word of thanks to Saype and his team in making Cape Town part of his Beyond the Walls Project,’ said Councillor Badroodien.