26 April 2007
 
Press Officer – Lorna Gemmell – 0207 307 3761; lorna.gemmell@inst.riba.org|
 
This summer the RIBA Trust hosts a season of exhibitions, talks and seminars that aim to provoke debate and reflection on the development of the built environment in South Africa in the 13 years since the end of apartheid.
 
South Africa's transition from a seemingly intractable racial conflict to democracy is widely known and admired throughout the world. The apartheid system was notorious for the way in which it institutionalised racial separation and discrimination. Architecture and planning were key factors in this socio-spatial project, with segregation designed into all spheres of life - from farms and rural towns, to cities and townships, streets, public spaces and the workplace.
 
The South Africa season follows on from the RIBA Trust's Spring 2007 'International Dialogues: Architecture and Climate Change' programme, which explored the ecology of places and spaces around the world.
 
Exhibitions:
 
Between Ownership & Belonging:
Transitional Space in the Post-apartheid Metropolis
4 May – 23 June, Gallery 1, RIBA
 
A reworking of the exhibition first presented at the South African Pavillion at the Venice Biennale in 2006, it reflects on how South African cities are continuing to be transformed in the aftermath of apartheid.
 
The themes of 'ownership' and 'belonging' will be explored through models, drawings and photographs as well as art, film and texts. Schemes explored include: winner of the RIBA's inaugural Lubetkin Prize winning, the Red Location Museum of the People's Struggle, Port Elizabeth by Noero Wolff Architects; District Six Redevelopment, Cape Town by Lucien Le Grange, Architects and Urban Planners; and Faraday Market and Transport Interchange by Albonica Sack Mzumara Architects, and Urban Designers with MMA Architects.
 
Curated by Mphethi Morojele.
 
Supported by the South African Department of Arts and Culture and the South African High Commission in London.
 
Inter(face) Southern Africa:
Engaging Our Lived Realities
4 May – 17 May, Gallery 2, RIBA
 
This exhibition marks the first international exposure of Southern African student work. Exploring the various urban issues created by Southern African cities, their work searches for alternative approaches to the fabric, economy and sustainable functioning of these fast growing urban areas.
 
Talks:
 
South African Post-Apartheid Cities
Tuesday 8 May 2007, 6.30pm, RIBA, Jarvis Hall
 
Three short presentations by speakers; Peter Ahrends - Ahrends, Burton & Koralek; Mphethi Morojele - Curator of 'Between Ownership and Belonging'; and Lucien le Grange - Director of School of Architecture and Planning, University of Cape Town. The presentations will be followed by an informal panel discussion.
 
Chaired by Professor Ricky Burdett; London School of Economics, Cities Programme.
 
South African Post Apartheid Cities
Part 2: Views of the Future by the Future
Tuesday 22 May, 6.30pm, RIBA, Wren Room
 
This session provides an opportunity to participate in a further discussion exploring how South African cities are continuing to be transformed in the aftermath of apartheid.
 
Architecture After Apartheid: Shaping the Rainbow Nation
Tuesday 12 June, 6.30pm, RIBA, Wren Room
 
Twelve years after its last South African 'special issue', the June 2007 Architectural Review is once again dedicated to the country. To coincide with the RIBA exhibition 'Between Ownership and Belonging', the magazine will investigate post-apartheid design and practice, from new public spaces to private homes. South African architects today are faced with formidable challenges: is it possible to transform the city – historically a mechanism of racial separation – into a vehicle for collective life? Does, and should, this translate into a new kind of architecture for a new age of freedom?
 
A panel discussion addressing these questions will be chaired by Matthew Barac.
 
Supported by the Architectural Review.