The research is based on the belief that the Earth's survival is reliant on an understanding of the interconnectedness between people
and the planet. The premise that creative expression is an inherent need in human beings and a powerful agent for social change
is at the core of this study. The arts permeate all aspects of life and can play a positive pro-active role in economic and social
upliftment. The study therefore explored a contemporary public context in which artists intervene in society to provide practical
and functional social spaces but also, with the ecological crisis of the planet, to create an awareness of the interconnectedness of
life. Place-making was of specific concern and one of the aims was to examine ways of re-shaping the appearance and meaning
of public spaces. An equally important issue was the role and responsibility of both the artist and the commissioning process in a social context and the relevance of individual expression as modes of addressing social concerns and as a tool of public empowerment within a new democratic South Africa that can have a genuine impact on community well-being and social inclusion. The research therefore exists in between the arts, social sciences and the ecology of place: that is, the understanding of the role of creative intervention within social spaces.
The study provides a historical context and development of new trends in public and collaborative community arts, contextualises
the notion of public and argues for a repositioning of assessment criteria for the arts within a social public domain and in the interest of the people. It is based on a critical survey of international collaborative arts and its potential as a guide to alternative solutions and implementation within a South African context for creative interventions and regeneration of public spaces and empowerment
and capacity building of its citizens. The research discusses the relevance and the position of the arts and craft industry as a means of poverty alleviation, job creation and empowerment in South Africa. Rebuilding community demands both the rejuvenation of
social spaces and the restoration of community esteem together with mutual and self-respect. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / D. Litt. et Phil (Art History)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/2041 |
| Date | 30 November 2005 |
| Creators | Ross, Wendy |
| Contributors | Crump, A., Nicolau, M.D. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (6 v.) |
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