Creativity was proved to be a part of the Roedean School as they unveiled their science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (Steam) fields mural. The artwork was installed at an assembly held at the school in Houghton.
Former learner at the school who was back after 11 years, architect Amina Kaskar said she was grateful to be given the opportunity to work on the design of the installation. She also mentioned the individuals who put in a lot of time and effort toward making the installation the best it could be. “This was a very personal and special project for me, being able to leave some sort of physical, creative imprint or minute legacy here at Roedean, at the place that jump-started my own creative journey.”
She said they were approached late last year with the task of translating some of the best work that the girls at Roedean had done for the student competition.
Kaskar said when conceptualising the design for this installation, it was really great to draw from the energy of all the work that the Roedean girls have done while carrying across the ethos of Roedean, as well as embodying the philosophy of Steam.
“As a community of young women at Roedean, it is critical to engage with what it means to be strong female academics or professionals working and leading in the Steam fields. I identify with this in my own company, which is all female, having to work harder and challenge the norms, continuously trying to break the glass ceiling in everyday work,” Kaskar said.
She described the project design process and said they sought to create something three-dimensional, dynamic, bright and colourful that uses typical laws of motion and light and collaborated with teams which include specialists and engineers to actually build it.
Kaskar said we are often taught that science and arts are two completely different fields. “But I don’t agree with these distinctions. It is in both the sciences and the arts that we can critically engage with society and the world around us and to speculate for change to make the world a little bit better. For us, the magic lies when the sun hits the installation and the individual pieces really come alive.”
Details: Roedean School SA 011 647 3200.
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