The Mosaic City
Jo'burg is a mosaic. Many fragments of glasslike pieces make up the city. People, buildings, movement, vibe. All of these colour it in. They make the city hum.
One section of the Jo'burg artwork is labelled Commissioner Street. People fit, jaggedly into the lifestyle of the pavement. Shop-windows display wares of all hues and flavours. They tempt the passers by, enticing them to step over the barrier and beyond the doorways. Many of the owners are African but most are Muslim and have mastered the art of the sale. They offer shoes and wigs and fruit and wholesale, belts and bags and jewellery. All begging to be purchased through the glass.
Another segment of the mosaic artwork that is the city is called Abel Rd, in Berea. Its roughened edges lean against unemptied dustbins and crumblings that once were walls. Fragments called men, saunter along in search of function and employment. Seldom finding either. They glue remnants of hope and optimism to themselves to keep from disintegration. Usually settling for time wasting on pavements as distraction from panic.
Airborne and land sprawled items of bright colours compose the foundation of the piece. Assortments of litterings take their place in the composition. Ladies intermingle with these, informally positioned and semi attached. They man their rectangular sites of bargain, adorned with apples, onions and oranges, phone cards, chappies and chips. Independent and ambitious though repressed by the dominance of the authority named Poverty.
But the shifts and splashes of change and improvement are undeniable within the centre of a city with resilience and charm. Hope can be detected upon the most unexpected sites and this is proved by looking at Johannesburg through an artist's gaze.
Jo'burg is a Mosaic- a montage of variety and character.
A piece of art.
Want to review something in the city? Click here
What Others Said
Colin Williams said
on 19 February 2010
Enjoyed the read, Kelly. vey good article.
Raymond king said
on 18 February 2010
Couldnt have written it better?
Jean Grendon said
on 18 February 2010
Well written Kels!
Terence said
on 16 February 2010
Nice article!!
Marcelle Batista said
on 16 February 2010
Awesome piece of writing!!!! Well done.
