Summer
Show
2022
24
November
18:00 SAST


24
November
18:00  SAST


Reconciling The Past With The Future

Bridging the Gap Between Opposing Sites of Memorialisation

Megan Vipond

BArch Hons 2022

Supervisors:
Unit Leader: Dr. Finzi Saidi
Unit Leader: Mathebe Aphane
Unit Tutor: Bonolo Masango
Unit Tutor: Nomalanga Mahlangu

UNIT 15X
Landscapes of Memory
The title of this project is Reconciling The Past With The Future: Bridging the Gap between Opposing Sites of Memorialisation. The design intervention takes the form of a physical and metaphorical bridge spanning the terrain between two conflicting sites of memorialisation with the intention of evoking a connection as well as a spatial dialogue that does not currently exist between these two points of interest.

The research process began as a comparative analysis between Freedom Park and Voortrekker Monument: two vastly different memorial spaces embodying conflicting ideals and historical narratives situated within close proximity to one another in Pretoria, Gauteng.

Through this investigation, various inaccuracies or inadequacies came to light pertaining to the lens through which each narrative is portrayed. Each site represents a specific point in our history and depicts a narrative that has been filtered within the interests of the regime in control at the time and the patrons commissioning the construction of the memorial. Both memorial spaces have an agenda in the message they wish to portray and neither depicts the whole truth.

The aim of this project would be to address the inaccuracies and biases portrayed and create a dialogue that does not currently exist. The site of acupuncture is the journey between Freedom Park and Voortrekker monument and the subsequent bridge design would aim to create a physical link between these two points of interest and help to create an extended narrative.





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