Page 62 - Designing Ways 238

EVENTS

A growing festival that bears sustainability
in mind

he fifth edition of the International artists around the world. Participating
Public Art Festival (IPAF) is set individuals went through a rigorous
Tto transform Cape Town’s Salt selection process that saw them propose
River into a visual wonderland from 10- creative, 100% sustainable public art
14 February 2021. Hosted by Baz-Art - interventions. Myriad applications were
an organisation that facilitates street art received and the most innovative and
- the event is Africa’s largest public art community-driven solutions will be
festival. Attracting big-name local and showcased at the event. The finalised
international artists, this year’s ‘100% artists will be announced shortly.
Sustainable’ theme focuses on art as a Some of the artistic proposals included
mechanism for inclusion and activism. sculptures made from recycled material;
Synonymous with empowerment, IPAF artworks in biodegradable paint that
will examine how we can answer the washes away to create a whole new work
needs of today without compromising the over time; temporary works that fade into
world our future generations will inherit. nature; and installations that bring people
“With the support of the City, we together through shared spaces.
are excited to see events such as IPAF “The soft power of visuals is often
position Cape Town as a global street underestimated, but our environments
art hub in Africa, while showcasing local have a vast impact on our mindsets,
talent and culture on an international ideals, and inspirations. Through a
platform. IPAF 2021 will be a testament to public art festival platform, artists have
how public art can activate social change an opportunity to create beautiful public
and cohesion within our communities,” works that can make us question and The 5-day festival makes every effort to
says festival manager Lauren Fletcher. rethink. Let’s move away from the get rich minimise its environmental footprint,
“Art pushes and reflects the current quick schemes, dog-eat-dog worlds and while fostering social and economic
thoughts of society. And as an arts festival, single-use plastic packed lunches, and get inclusion. “The goal for IPAF 2021 is to
we act as a vehicle to represent and inspired by the long term,” says Fletcher. show that sustainability refers not just to
reflect on these moments. Sustainability the environment, but also to economically
is incredibly relevant and important,” The festival of the future and socially-sound practices. The world is
she adds. IPAF will feature diverse art A future-gazing ethos will guide the made up of those three aspects and, to
installations, talks and workshops from IPAF’s strong sustainability agenda. make it a better place, we need to respect
each of them. By working with local

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