Bohemia Africanus: materialising a fictive allegorical site between uncanny places
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Date
2023
Authors
Duvenhage, G. P. J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
This dissertation explores the transformation of literary allegories into architecture, challenging the commonplace safety we find in the notions of truth, home, and the familiar. The design programme centres on a travelling theatre which explores the way the audience allegorically conceives and experience truth in the production of the uncanny and macabre play, African Gothic, by Reza de Wet. By architecturally emplacing this fictional theatre production in three real murder scenes, the dissertation attempts to not only produce a contextual milieu for the play but also to address the way we engage with the 'truth' and memories of places where dark crimes have been committed.
In the context of a nation grappling with high crime rates like South Africa, the pertinent issue of addressing the aftermath of genuine criminal issues emerges as a significant concern. How we engage with the truth and memories associated with crime scenes necessitates not only relevant but also innovative approaches, which have yet to be adequately addressed. Due to the scarcity of architectural research and subsequent guidance on the matter of architectural interventions within crime sites, these scenes often turn into forbidden territories, both in discussion and physical presence.
Drawing inspiration from the content of the play "African Gothic," three recent instances of crime scenes in South Africa were symbolically pinpointed as the backdrop for a mobile theatre and the reenactment of the play. These locations include a farm in the Griekwastad district, a school residence in Stella, and a housing estate known as De Zalze.
This dissertation proposes that allegory be used to question truth, home, and safety, furthermore the dissertation considers the exploration of allegory to approach real sites of uncanny and macabre crimes.
Enter the allegory. Derived from the Greek "Allos", allegory roughly translates to "speak openly" and to "another," these definitions combine to an approach which is to openly say one thing and to mean another. By embracing and interpreting the allegorical elements woven into the theatrical work "African Gothic," these delicate locations are approached, comprehended, and dissected in novel manners, potentially paving the way for transformative shifts and embracing change within these crime-ridden areas. Exploring and challenging the concepts of truth could play a pivotal role in the process of comprehending and reconciling with these sites marked by tragedy.
Even when a page is mainly a constellation of words connected with lines, it is a 'written drawing' rather than just text, and the configuration refers to the structure of the research, the design of both written and drawn parts. (Haralambidou, 2007).
Just as we seek comfort and certainty in the notion of truth, we also find solace and certainty in our "architectural" vision of constructing secure and familiar dwellings. In a nation confronted with escalating inequality and crime rates, it becomes imperative to explore alternative approaches to handling unique and harrowing architectural scenarios and sites.
Description
Dissertation (M.Arch.(Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2023