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Cape Town - If you've been in the vicinity of the Sea Point promenade recently, you've probably noticed the massive pair of Ray-Ban wayfarers peering out over the bay.
Created by artist Michael Elion, in conjunction with the City of Cape Town as part of World Design Capital 2014, the 'Perceiving Freedom' installation is said to be a tribute to Mandela.
'Say what?' is pretty much the exact reaction that most people have had to the explanation. How exactly does a pair of 60m2 luxury brand spectacles, erected in one of the most affluent parts of the city commemorate one of South Africa's most iconic freedom fighters?
Also see: Mandela-inspire Ray-Bay art decried as opportunistic
As Duane Jethro put it in a piece on Africasacountry.com, “It’s a stunning emetic trigger that suggests that Nelson Mandela is beckoning us from the afterlife to buy Ray-Ban sunglasses, to do our duty for reconciliation and nation-building by consuming this luxury product."
While many have been discussing its relevance and debating its presence in writing, activist group Tokolos Stencil Collective have taken their dissatisfaction with the symbolism into their own hands, marking it with their recognisable 'Remember Marikana' tag, as well as the phrase 'We broke your hearts.'
They claimed the act on their Facebook page, stating:
The vandalism has been a hot topic of debate, with many people calling it shameful. We couldn't help but wonder whether it may not be doing more for our collective remembrance of the tumultuous history we are a product of than a pristine pair of gargantuan wayfarers could.
We asked readers to share their opinions, and what they had to say was fascinating indeed. Here are some of the responses:
Enhancement
sam.e.scapes - Well we as ordinary citizens don't have much of a voice. If government doesn't listen to the people them the people will find other forms of voicing their opinions. We have many unanswered issues in this new dispensation. Using the Mandela specs to voice grievances is a good way of reminding everyone that the freedom charter and equality for all that he stood for are no longer guiding principles in our country. I like this idea of protest art and think it is very fitting for this time in our history as South Africans. I think it is more effective than just a huge pair of Ray Bans that are supposed to remind us of Madiba. I believe he would love the protest message on them, much more, that was much more his legacy.
Songezo Mcapukisi - Mandela would have agreed with the protesters now. It is about time government realise it is no longer business as usual. The inequality gap keeps on widening and many people are left behind feeling the wrath of poverty and starvation.
Jeannette Thomas - Definite improvement. Not everything is so rose tinted as our governments would like tourists to believe with all their artworks in tourist hot spots depicting "freedom" in the new South Africa
@Traveller24_SA @MyNews24 total enhancement.
— Clint Griffin (@clintgriffindot) November 18, 2014
@Traveller24_SA @News24 they are an eyesore and a marketing ploy. #shameful advertising to try link Mandela to it in the first place
— Beverly Cosslett (@Dreamskygirlsa) November 18, 2014
@Traveller24_SA @News24 its an eyesore (pun not intended) in the first place just asking for graffiti and vandals. What did they expect? Yoh
— esmaralda9 (@esme9senekal) November 18, 2014
@Traveller24_SA @News24 If someone did not do this it wouldn't be effective as public art
— nompumezo gubevu (@pumig) November 18, 2014
@Traveller24_SA @News24 Well said and so true. Shame nothing, we going backwards, thats the only shame.You need glasses if you cant see that
— Rory (@Rory7Smith) November 18, 2014
@Traveller24_SA. Just let our former prez's spirit rest in peace! Stop making money in his name!
— Conzi Kgalagadi (@AggieR01) November 18, 2014
Shameful!@Traveller24_SA @News24 enhancement. Should become a billboard to raise issues. #mandelaGlasses
— Angelo Coppola (@AngeloCoppolaSA) November 18, 2014
Fatima White - Defacing another artist's work is just poor form, irrespective of whether or not you agreed with the piece in the first place. This is vandalism.
My heart broke?? i love those. @Traveller24_SA: Sea Point's Mandela inspired sunglasses http://t.co/D2KrvDf3oY pic.twitter.com/roL0kz4p06
— Amantombazane (@ThatLadyBird) November 18, 2014
@Traveller24_SA @News24 shameful!!!
— sikhumbuzo (@mtshalisg) November 18, 2014
@Traveller24_SA Shameful
— Ivan Botha (@ivanjbotha) November 18, 2014
@Traveller24_SA Positively done by a poepol.
— Jacob (@TheLionsVillage) November 18, 2014
@Traveller24_SA @MyNews24 sies
— Amy Hlalele (@ammzzzzzzzz) November 18, 2014
Sea Point's Mandela inspired sunglasses have been vandalised: Shameful? OR an enhancement? http://t.co/ZshdQo1MFq pic.twitter.com/LWHO8NX2LB
— Traveller24_SA (@Traveller24_SA) November 18, 2014
@Traveller24_SA @News24 This is a shame,How can you write such a message actual putting more emphasize on it mxm THIS IS A JOKE
— Mahaye kaMvanande (@Bhekani_Ndebele) November 18, 2014
What do you think? Add your opinion in the comment section below!
