The next time you are in Stellenbosch (and here are a few reasons to visit Stellenbosch soon) keep a look out for the interesting array of benches dotted around the town centre. There are 24 in total and here are 13 that I found and Instagrammed.
The Come Sit (#KomSit) sculpture exhibition is a project of the Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture Trust (SOST) with participating artists including Wilma Cruise, Strijdom van der Merwe, Jaco Sieberhagen and graffiti artist Mak1One. The concrete benches, placed in strategic locations around the centre of town, invite passersby to slow down, engage with the artworks, sit down and take photos. Here are 13 of the benches – see how many you can find!
1. The Power Of…
Commissioned by Deloitte & Touche
www.deloitte.co.za
The Power of… Photo by Rachel Robinson.
Sit, swing, light up your day. The Power Of… highlights the interplay between art, life and science. (When the swing is in motion, the lights come on).
2. Born free but still captive
Bonnievale Kids
www.valleymountainskids.co.za
Born free but still captive. Photo by Rachel Robinson.
The concept is rooted in the psycho-socio economic environment of our country. Many communities are kept so captive in their minds and hearts that they are unable to accept any challenge which can release them from illiteracy, poverty, unemployment and social evils.
3. Finger piano
Roy Ferguson
Finger piano. Photo by Rachel Robinson.
Inspired by traditional African lore, these lamellophones may be played by anybody, with or without musical prior musical knowledge. If you are two, try finding the same pulse and start playing each instrument at the same time.
4. Untitled
Mak1One
www.mak1one.com
Untitled by Mak1One. Photo by Rachel Robinson.
One of the major elements of graffiti is lettering. It offers social comment and does not need a title. The artist has uses different images and words that merge together to get people thinking, questioning and renegotiating what they see.
5. I have to go see a man about a horse
Adriaan Diedericks
www.diedericks-adriaan.tumblr.com
I have to go see a man about a horse. Photo by Rachel Robinson.
The colloquialism has become a popular excuse for absenting oneself from company. The sculptures allow the person sitting on the bench to turn his/her back upon it, or get up and walk away.
6. C-ME-C
Izanne Wiid
www.izannewiid.com
C-ME-C. Photo by Rachel Robinson.
The face is a highly sensitive region distinguishing a person. Despite being fragmented using Carara marble core samples, the parts still represent the face – untouched by boundaries.
7. You can sit under my umbrella
Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe
www.mariekeprinsloo.com
You can sit under my umbrella. Photo by Rachel Robinson.
The female figure invites you to share her umbrella and to continue the conversation. For a moment strangers understand each other, the bench offers a small shelter and the sky covers us all.
8. It’s all coming together
Sisonke
www.ithembacurios.com
It’s all coming together. Photo by Rachel Robinson.
All the artists worked together to transform the art bench using various crafts. They are part of the Centre for Entrepreneurship of Stellenbosch360 which includes a craft incubator and iThemba Curios. Stellenbosch360 was launched by the Stellenbosch Tourism and Information Authority as a holistic destination brand.
9. Benches are for resting
Sculpture students at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
www.nmmu.ac.za
Benches are for resting. Photo by Rachel Robinson.
Resting is not sleeping and usually requires no more time than catching one’s breath, the resting of one’s legs or the complete collapse of one’s diaphragm… momentarily. The sculpture students have created an inviting and pleasant resting place, but not for sleeping on.
10. Under my tree I’m free, under my tree my heart belongs to me
Lee-Anne van Wyk
www.belpezzo.com
Under my tree I am free. Photo by Rachel Robinson.
The mosaic imagery refers to a wide range of life forms that make a tree their home. Nature refreshes the human spirit and the person sitting on the bench is encouraged to relax, meditate and commune with nature. Look up into the trees around you – is there life? Are there fragments of nature left in your urban area?
11. Murmuration
Vulindlela Nyoni and Francé Beyers
Murmuration. Photo by Rachel Robinson.
The bird is used as symbol of both their heritages – the raven (Beyers) and the sparrow (Nyoni) to illustrate how seemingly opposite individuals – white/black, male/female, Worcester/Zimbabwe – can celebrate what they share and find energy and inspiration from one another. Unity and strength are created in the circular design depicting the murmuration of birds.
12. Riot of colours
Karla Duterloo
www.riotofcoloursmosaic.com
Riot of colours. Photo by Rachel Robinson.
The bench serves as a colourful magnet, an easy to find meeting-point, to sit on and reflect; a place to meet different minds or just to enjoy the cacophony of colours and textures from glass tiles to river stones.
13. Seemingly peaceful
Jean Theron Louw
An old man sits on a park bench, reading, seemingly peaceful. Does Oupa Carlos reflect upon how he and his peers have managed to cause the degeneration of the planet? See the poem by Drew Dellinger from Hieroglyphic Stairway in the book he is reading. A dove perches on the bench – symbolic of the spirit. The golden colours allude to constant truths, transparency symbolises the fleeting nature of humanity.
These benches form part of the Sit, Stay and Savour Stellenbosch, that has some affordable winter packages available until the end of September 2014.
More on these winter special packages here
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