A new art installation called Sun Star on Signal Hill is attracting attention, despite poor publicity about the latest World Design Capital 2014 project, and is the second contentious outdoor art project to have been erected in the city recently. The organisers of the design project for Cape Town appear to have already packed up their PR bags, in that the hosting by Cape Town of World Design Capital 2014 ends next month and they are already taking bids for their furniture!
What makes the 24 meter high sculpture, which was created by Christopher Swift, contentious is that it is sponsored by Sun International, the ‘Sun’ name written in the hotel group’s typeface at the advertising board alongside the artwork. It does have emotional appeal in that fencing removed from Robben Island has been built into the ball of the sculpture. Entitled ‘Sun Star, A Beacon of Hope‘, it survived the fire on Signal Hill last week.
The hotel group General Manager for Communications Michael Farr is reported to have placed the following spin on the project: ‘…the installation represented the ability of South Africans to view the future with optimism. Despite the obvious symbolism of using materials from Robben Island where political prisoners such as (the late) Madiba were incarcerated, the transparent wire also epitomised the nation’s determination to see beyond the present, and to correct the wrongs of the past. Being able to stand beneath the sculpture with spectacular views of both the city and Robben Island in the distance will give people a powerful incentive for contemplation, reflection and conversation about our future’. The sculpture has an all-round view on to Cape Town’s tourism highlights, including Robben Island.
The hotel group is adamant that no indigenous vegetation has been affected, no soil has been disturbed, and that alien vegetation would be removed. The sculpture is lit at night with solar-powered energy-saving LED lights. Approval was received from the City of Cape Town, the Department of Public Works, and South African National Parks.
The Sun Star is expected to stay on Signal Hill until May, and will then be moved to Sun International properties. The hotel group contributed to the cost of the landscaping (little of that to be seen, other than that the lawn has been mowed) and installation.
I visited the Sun Star sculpture on Signal Hill yesterday. I was shocked to see in what state of disrepair the road is at the parking area, with a quick-fix filling up of potholes. There is no signage at all to Sun Star anywhere. Luckily a security guard showed me the path one walks to get to Sun Star, uncomfortable walking on gravel for about 100 – 200 meters. I was disappointed, not seeing much of the ocean below, not seeing Robben Island directly, and the artwork having been cordoned off with red and white tape (like a crime scene, clearly not stopping anyone lifting it and walking through). I felt uncomfortable, as initially there was no one else at the sculpture, but then a taxi driver also came to have a look. He said that the artwork is very visible from the city at night. In driving up, I saw two security guards sitting on the seaside of the sculpture, but they would not know if something untoward was happening on the side that we were on. The solar panels are on top of a branding wall, on which the Sun International logo is to be seen!
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Tel (021) 433-2100, Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook: click here
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