Artists bring colour and creativity to new Roodepoort CBD structure

All it takes is a simple aesthetic makeover to inspire hope, imagination and a sense of pride in one’s surroundings.

The intersection of Berlandina and Burger Streets is now home to a brand-new source of inspiration sending creative ripples throughout the town. The new structure forms part of Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo’s road island beautification project that aims to make the city a more visually appealing space. The project cost R400 000 and is an investment in functional community infrastructure.

The eight metre tall obelisk is the work of Cities Landscaping and Projects, and consists of solid concrete, sculpted around a metal mesh skeleton. Referred to as ‘The Berlandina Pylon’ by Cities Landscaping and Projects’ Managing Director, Khathu Masithi, it took two weeks to complete, including the island that it sits on. The island weaves together three different types of paving and features 19 matching bollards.

The pylon has stirred the creative juices of a group of local artists who have been fuelled to use the new structure as a springboard to creating a more beautiful and artistic Roodepoort. Inspired by traditional southern African designs, Marika ‘Creative Rabbit’ Gregory and Tumi ‘Broken Afrikaans’ Thagoli dusted off their paint brushes to leave their mark on what they call ‘The Monument’.

The multi-talented pair became acquainted through Art On Wax Concepts, which acts as a forum to unite artists in the area and encourage exciting creative collaborations. Founded by Tshepo Selepe, he hopes this can be the spark that unleashes the area’s creative potential. “We are going to turn this into an artistic space. Art will save the day,” said Tshepo, who also runs the Roodepoort North hangout, Coffee n Deep House.

Through Tshepo’s initiative, previously unrealised avenues are being opened up, allowing artists to share their eclectic delights. “It is amazing how interconnected Roodepoort really is. We have been connecting the dots and we have been finding all these hidden artists,” said Marika, who has her eye on painting the structure all the way to the top. Every wall or open brick now represents a limitless canvas to be filled.

Should this prove to be the catalyst that propels the local arts and culture scene to new heights, the Berlandina Street pylon will be a lasting reminder of what sparked a creative revolution. Monuments can be judged on the emotion they evoke, but it is the human capital that ensures that tangible results turn into an enduring legacy.

Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeRabbitStudio/videos/752856072079051