Although this story started last year, its still very interesting. Went to the Leonard Cohen exhibtion at Sally Thompson Gallery in Melville today, very interesting show, such a variety of interpretations of his songs, definately worth a look once the opening is done.
Durban's jumbo row heads to court
GIANT artworks of Zulu King Shaka and a group of three elephants - which together cost taxpayers R4.2-million - are now gathering dust.
The now-dilapidated stone-and-wire elephants lie on a stretch of highway near central Durban - surrounded by broken bottles and other debris - while the Shaka statue is kept in a storeroom.
Now a legal battle pitting art against politics is looming with the sculptor, Andries Botha, taking on the eThekwini municipality.
Botha has accused city officials of wanting to destroy his sculptures and told the Sunday Times he is preparing a court application to stop them.
He is furious that his striking creations are being kept out of the public eye after being deemed to be politically incorrect.
Botha's elephants upset ANC leaders in the city who claimed they symbolised the rival Inkatha Freedom Party, whose logo features three elephants.
Eric Apelgren, Durban's head of international and government relations who first suggested the project, said they were working with Botha to find an amicable outcome.
"We're currently sitting with a proposal and, once the city has finalised an agreement on that, it will be made public," he said.
But Botha said he was determined to take legal action to stop the municipality from destroying or altering his art. The elephant sculptures cost the municipality R1.2-million.
Said Botha: "I've waited patiently for this matter to be resolved. I'm proceeding with my action against the city to protect the sculptures."
Botha's R3-million King Shaka statue at Durban's new international airport was commissioned by the provincial government.
The now-dilapidated stone-and-wire elephants lie on a stretch of highway near central Durban - surrounded by broken bottles and other debris - while the Shaka statue is kept in a storeroom.
Now a legal battle pitting art against politics is looming with the sculptor, Andries Botha, taking on the eThekwini municipality.
Botha has accused city officials of wanting to destroy his sculptures and told the Sunday Times he is preparing a court application to stop them.
He is furious that his striking creations are being kept out of the public eye after being deemed to be politically incorrect.
Botha's elephants upset ANC leaders in the city who claimed they symbolised the rival Inkatha Freedom Party, whose logo features three elephants.
Eric Apelgren, Durban's head of international and government relations who first suggested the project, said they were working with Botha to find an amicable outcome.
"We're currently sitting with a proposal and, once the city has finalised an agreement on that, it will be made public," he said.
But Botha said he was determined to take legal action to stop the municipality from destroying or altering his art. The elephant sculptures cost the municipality R1.2-million.
Said Botha: "I've waited patiently for this matter to be resolved. I'm proceeding with my action against the city to protect the sculptures."
Botha's R3-million King Shaka statue at Durban's new international airport was commissioned by the provincial government.
...um you forgot to mention that YOU were one of the artists exhibiting at the Altered Pieces show....
ReplyDeleteso proud of u girl
x