Pedestrian crossing transformed by art launched in South Africa’s “coolest” neighbourhood

Locals welcomed a pedestrian crossing in Sea Point transformed by art on 02 December 2022. Located on Main Road outside of the Artem Centre near Sea Point High School, the artwork was created by artist Al Luke.

For a selection of photos available please access the Google Drive folder here.

The 16m x 14m artwork piece entitled ‘Recollection’, aims to raise awareness around pedestrian safety in South Africa, brighten up the city’s public spaces and spread joy ahead of Cape Town’s festive season.

“It has been an absolute honor to be a part of this project and to share my art with the Mother City by promoting awareness regarding pedestrian safety in Cape Town. It has also been a pleasure to change the perceptions of the city’s public realm and transform its everyday infrastructure into cheerful spaces,” says abstract artist Al Luke.

The pedestrian crossing artwork project was initiated by local property developer Blok and executed in collaboration with urbanism practice and consultancy Our Future Cities (OFC). “The concept is to improve development within cities to reimagine accessibility and safety as more and more people make the move to live in urban areas. The idea of future cities that merge sustainable economic development with connected urban living to shape the next generation’s way of life is not unique to Cape Town,” says Blok’s CEO Jacques van Embden.

A similar transformation project consisting of 18 pedestrian crossings was recently commissioned by the City of London as part of the Mayor of London’s ‘Let’s Do London’ tourism campaign. The campaign was used to relaunch the creative, retail, and hospitality sectors as they were disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Similar projects have been undertaken in cities including Milan and Washington DC, where pedestrian crossing artwork has been used to create safer and more vibrant streets.

Says Rashiq Fataar, urban practitioner and founding director of Our Future Cities (OFC): “For our streets to be reimagined and reclaimed as infrastructure for people rather than just cars, we need provocative and joyful initiatives like this one. We have high hopes that this initiative will sow the seeds that will speak to the larger-scale shifts that are necessary for our cities to become more vibrant and sustainable”  

“There’s a deep hunger for these types of projects in every city,” said van Embden, adding that many murals ultimately emerge as unique landmarks that promote community pride. “It’s exciting to see the demand. It’s not just about painting roads,” he continued. “Streets are the ultimate gallery. They are where art and life come alive.”

For more information, please contact Courtney Jacobs at Razor PR:
T +27 11 268 6388 | C +27 79 058 5750 email: courtney.jacobs@razorpr.co.za or media@ourfuturecities.co

Photos

For a selection of photos available please access the Google Drive folder here.

Social media

Please follow Our Future Cities on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and Blok on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Please follow the artist Al Luke on Instagram.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

About Our Future Cities

Our Future Cities is an urbanism practice and consultancy, led by Rashiq Fataar and dedicated to positively impacting the future of our cities, our planet, and the lives of people. We have over a decade of experience advising and partnering with forward-thinking organisations with the shared goal of capitalising on opportunities in urban environments through foresight, creativity, and innovation. Our belief is that redesigning and building better cities is central to addressing our time’s planetary challenges. Our mission is to help cities become more sustainable and equitable while also exciting, vibrant, and loved. Our work and expertise have been featured in local and international media, publications, lectures, academic institutions, and exhibitions.

For more information visit – www.ourfuturecities.co

About Mr Luke

As with many creative people Al’s journey into the arts began at home, with a free-spirited mother and a father who flourished in order and structure with a background in traditional carpentry. He learned early on that structure and knowing your tools would allow him the freedom to create with confidence and a willingness to keep searching. Even though he has a strong background in art and design, it has never made him stop evolving in his quest to create a unique creative aesthetic.

His artwork incorporates an expressive abstract style with the aim of visually translating personal and societal behaviour and connection. He creates work that is considered, encompassing many interesting details rather than a single focal point. Thus far he has explored this style through a variety of media with a current focus of spray paint, acrylic paint and liners.

The intention of the artist is to create and expose a new African style which challenges the definitive global views and opinions of the continent.

For more information visit – www.mrsandmrluke.com

About BLOK

BLOK is a property development brand with a difference. Rooted in the foundation on which their developments stand, BLOK operates on three core pillars: urban homes, urban living, and design.

Since its establishment in 2014, BLOK has developed well-thought-out, beautifully and intuitively designed urban apartments, and of course a perfectly framed view of the world to explore beyond your front door. These are details that make each BLOK apartment unique. Inspired by art, nature and fashion, BLOK applies their learnings to every facet of the urban living experience. From the brand to the spaces and buildings, BLOK strives to create design that is as beautiful as it is practical.

For more information visit – https://www.blok.co.za/