- Title
- The design of a performance space for the Zip Zap Circus in the Johannesburg City Centre
- Creator
- Fouche’, Daniel
- Subject
- Theaters -- Designs and plans
- Subject
- City planning -- South Africa --Johannesburg
- Date Issued
- 2021-12
- Date
- 2021-12
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58794
- Identifier
- vital:60122
- Description
- Historically, news of a travelling circus coming to town created an atmosphere of anticipation andexcitement amongst all ages within a community. Normally the daily lives of the towns people were a monotonous routine, making the novelty and flamboyancy of the circus’s arrival an occasion to remember; the biggest day of the year showcased the greatest show on earth. Carnival processions would parade around the main streets and animate the whole town in order to gather people and subsequently lead the way to the big top tent. This spectacle brought entertainment to communities who would not normally be exposed, or have access, to environments made up of this wonder and excitement. In turn, to run away and join the circus was an attractive thought to the youth living in these mundane circumstances. Having been given a glimpse into what a theatrical life portrayed; especially self-expression and a strong community essence, the circus instilled something enchanting within the youth from otherwise difficult, diverse and indifferent backgrounds. Similarly, the UK collective Archigram, responded to the grey modernist environment with an architecture that appealed to the people through hyper-sensual events. The group imagined worlds that were both physically, or digitally, mobile; providing a moment in time in which a small village could experience events reminiscent of a city metropolis. Consequently, this treatise unpacks the popular works and research of Archigram to understand the relevance of an eccentric postmodern approach to modern-day placemaking within the Johannesburg city centre. A daily life of struggle and survival became common within the city centre as it started to see its decline in the early 80s. What was once the home of jazz, art, politics and insurgent popular aspirations now represents inner-city decay, dereliction and urban sprawl. The removal of major investments from what was the central business district has left city dwellers and their environment as victims of crime, violence and abandonment. The design of a performance space therefore aims to bring upliftment and celebration to the city through the circus ideal. The outcome is a world-class act that promotes social cohesion, creates opportunities, unlocks potential and transfers skills to the South African youth. Through proving a unique moment in time, people are given the opportunity to escape their reality and momentarily believe in a little bit of magic.
- Description
- Thesis (MArch) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Architecture, 2021
- Format
- computer
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (70 pages)
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela University
- Rights
- All Rights Reserved
- Rights
- Open Access
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | Fouché_Daniel_217110045. NovemberDocument.pdf | 126 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |