Maboneng home to first African design museum

NEWTOWN – Africa’s first design museum will soon open its doors in Maboneng Precinct, further entrenching the area’s reputation as a pan-African cultural hub.

The Museum of African Design, at 281 Commissioner Street, will launch on 24 October following a series of temporary installations, exhibitions and events over the past year.

The precinct’s Hayleigh Evans said the old factory building was undergoing a full renovation to transform it into a museum and event space.

“Its launch will be the realisation of a landmark project and attraction in Maboneng, being the first museum of its kind on the continent,” she said.

The project was initially pitched with the objective of advancing problem-solving ideas for Africa and beyond, but the museum will also focus on becoming a platform to present pan-African design.

“The museum will also provide a space to promote forward-thinking ideas, and will aim to change perceptions about museums,” said Evans.

The annual Southern Guild Showcase was chosen as the museum’s launch event, which will showcase South Africa’s top designers. The 10-day programme will include special events and public workshops.

The museum’s full programme for the next year will be introduced after the launch event.

“The inaugural exhibition, Native Nostalgia, guided by Jacob Dlamini’s book of the same title, considers what it means for African artists to reflect on apartheid and colonialism in fond ways,” said Evans.

Curated by museum director Aaron Kohn, it will feature artists from Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa and Benin.

The exhibitions Fashioning Africa and Design of an African City will explore further facets of design.

A series of regular events and projects will be piloted during the exhibitions, to create multiple platforms for outreach and engagement. These will include monthly first Saturdays family programmes and concerts.

Evans said there were also plans to launch an innovation platform and an education department next year.

Kohn, who collaborated with Johannesburg Art Gallery on the project said, “A key aspect of the museum is that it will connect to the existing museum landscape of the city. We can’t ignore the resources in the city, and we want to encourage more patronage across institutions.”

“Engaging with some of the most exciting ideas from across Africa and the diaspora, and sharing them in engaging ways, is going to change the perception of white-walled, glass-boxed institutions.”

Details: www.moadjhb.com