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New landmark at the JHB Zoo,
arrival of Totem Poles.
Johannesburg, December 9, 2004
On Saturday afternoon 4 December 2004, in three brief hours, the
landmark totem poles at the offices of Development Engineering
Consultants bade farewell to Rosebank and were welcomed at their
new home, the Johannesburg Zoo.
Originally commissioned by the Everard Read Contemporary
Gallery, it took six artists - Robert Weinek, David Rossouw,
Simon Stone, Guy du Toit, Barend de Wet and Joachim Schoenfeldt
- four weeks to create this ‘living sculpture’; complete
with weather vanes, trapeze artists and mosaic bases. Although
parodies of classical pillars inspired by kudu horns, African
walking sticks and even the humble ‘koeksuster’, they
quickly became known simply as “totem poles”. They spent 12
years weathering the elements at the corner of Bolton and Bath
and through a series of incorrect treatments and neglect; they
had eventually fallen into disrepair. “We have been privileged
to be their custodians for the past three years, and will miss
seeing them everyday” Development Engineering Consultants’
Managing Director Sam Amod said.
The Totem Poles’ new home will be at the entrance of the
Amazonia Zone at the Johannesburg Zoo. The poles will be
clustered on small hills in the region of the current baboon
enclosure. The backdrop of the poles will be thick tropical
vegetation, reminiscent of the Amazon Jungle. The development of
the Amazonia Zone is well on track with new acquisitions of
tamandua (tree anteaters) and armadillos and other new animals
in place.
The area where the totem poles will be placed in the Zoo is a
highly prominent location and the effect of the clustered poles
will immediately indicate to the visitor that Exploring the
Americas is imminent. As part of the zoos’ strong education
focus the story of these specific totem poles, as well as the
cultural significance of the poles will be explained through
effective yet discreet signage, allowing the visitor a new and
exciting journey of exploration of the interface between art and
culture.
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