Extracting narratives of nababeep: a Jewellery Manufacturing & Design Centre in the copper fields of Namaqualand
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Date
2022
Authors
Fourie, Merlin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
The story of Nababeep begins as a tale of dissolution Over the years the landscape have been broken up into fragments by mining activity. Confronted by its wounds, the dissertation will investigate ways of extracting beauty from the scarred. By looking at the art of engraving for inspiration, the dissertation will further investigate how the scars of the site can be re interpreted as possibilities of capturing stories. The site suffers from past trauma In order to heal the landscape, it is
believed that design can only emerge from the great depth of its painful, private and collective experiences. The dissertation looks at ways how the ongoing traces and scars of the derelict site can contribute actively to the narrative of the site. In trying to understand the site, the three concepts explore ways of exposing the richness of the site, understanding its fragments and interrogating its remaining witnesses Explorations. Explorations are also done in finding ways of healing its wounds and stitching together a new identity from the scabs of the site. Taking a closer look at the site and its trauma, and uncovering all of its layers, new voices can start to emerge a palimpsest of stories of place. It is ultimately the embedded layers of place that allows the story of place to reveal itself. The devastating imprints of mining will forever shape the town of Nababeep, it is important to form a new relationship between the mine, its scars and the people.
Description
Dissertation (M.Arch. (Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2022