Mapping exhibitions
In these exhibitions we’ve explored some of the perceptions, beliefs and prejudice reflected in different forms of mapping. We did this in an attempt to contrast foreign perspectives with indigenous ones, and through this encourage an understanding of our differing past experiences, to challenge received history; and to promote the construction of a shared South African and African identity.
This is an 1154 Map drawn by Arab cartographer Mohammed Al Idrisi (Edrisi). Drawn in the Italian tradition of cartography, this map shows Africa ‘upside down’…
Unlike most European cartographers of his time, Edrisi’s map was the result of information gathered through exploration and not solely mythology.
Where Edrisi applied projection, it was based on his “scientific” approach. On the shape of the earth Edrisi stated that the earth was “unquestionably spherical”, remaining “stable in space like the yolk in an egg”.
Africa Sky Stories (A Television series for the younger viewer)
To celebrate our common African heritage, African Sky Stories takes the viewer on a magical journey through wonderful and mystical stories abstracted from oral tradition from across the African Continent. Through this series we wish to encourage the age-old tradition of storytelling once so prevalent in communities throughout our country and the Continent.
It is our believe that oral tradition is an untapped source of knowledge and that through series’ such as African Sky Stories, we are able to unlock this resource and expose our people to the richness contained in the diversity that unites us as a people and a Continent.
Unlike most European cartographers of his time, Edrisi’s map was the result of information gathered through exploration and not solely mythology.
Where Edrisi applied projection, it was based on his “scientific” approach. On the shape of the earth Edrisi stated that the earth was “unquestionably spherical”, remaining “stable in space like the yolk in an egg”.
Africa Sky Stories (A Television series for the younger viewer)
To celebrate our common African heritage, African Sky Stories takes the viewer on a magical journey through wonderful and mystical stories abstracted from oral tradition from across the African Continent. Through this series we wish to encourage the age-old tradition of storytelling once so prevalent in communities throughout our country and the Continent.
It is our believe that oral tradition is an untapped source of knowledge and that through series’ such as African Sky Stories, we are able to unlock this resource and expose our people to the richness contained in the diversity that unites us as a people and a Continent.
New Conversations (A Television series)
NEW CONVERSATIONS is a dynamic dialogue with South Africans who are passionate about who they are, where they come from and where they are going.
Done in partnership with SABC Education this documentary series is intended to unravel and create lively debate around the complex and diverse heritage that is ours, and to begin NEW CONVERSATIONS about our history and our place in Africa. Each programme in the series reflects a different mood, ranging from public celebration to intimate disclosures to soulful reflection.
EVERY VIEW COUNTS (Education campaign)
The central concept of this series is that ‘we all see things differently’ and ‘what we see, depends on who we are, where we come from and where we’re heading’. This project resulted in the distribution of “Every View Counts” (EVC), a six-part newspaper supplement successfully distributed during 2004 through the Sunday Times ReadRight network. In addition a travelling exhibition containing posters in the series was installed in several public venues, and even later a ten-part television series was produced in partnership with SABC Education.
Here Karabo and Demi are ‘engaging’ with the EVC exhibition installed at Parliament during Child Protection Week.
My story… our stories
This programme was designed to empower young people to approach learning in ways that will open new ideas and ways of seeing. It aims to instil pride in an entire generation of youth, all of whom are instrumental in shaping the African Renaissance. Using the print media, reinforced with teacher training and youth workshops we encourage young people to document their lived experience, and provide them with the skills to develop their own publications.
Presented as a literacy programme in schools, this project facilitated the compilation of stories, in effect written by South African children for South African children! These stories reflect the way in which the children experience their positions in their particular communities and through their experiences ‘map’ themselves and their communities – in the present and in the future.
This is a cover of one of the titles produced by the kids who participated in the My story, our stories project:
Film Festival
One of the more exciting projects in recent years was the first
festival of South African films in Parliament. The film festival, which was held from 13 to 17 June 2005, resulted from collaboration between the PMP and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF). It showcased a selection of the best that the local film industry has to offer, including Oscar-nominated Hotel Rwanda and the award-winning U-Carmen eKhayelitsha. With 11 feature films and 5 documentaries, these screenings set to capture the dynamic social, cultural and political transformation of the South African society, and reflect on the challenges the nation face.
The festival took place at a time when many local films are heralded internationally for their quality of production, and the small selection of films shown in Parliament’s festival truly stood testimony to this as well as the remarkable local talent that has elevated this industry to global prominence. Aside from the many serious issues addressed through the films, it also allowed us the opportunity to humorously reflect on unique cultural quirks of our society.
One of the more exciting projects in recent years was the first
festival of South African films in Parliament. The film festival, which was held from 13 to 17 June 2005, resulted from collaboration between the PMP and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF). It showcased a selection of the best that the local film industry has to offer, including Oscar-nominated Hotel Rwanda and the award-winning U-Carmen eKhayelitsha. With 11 feature films and 5 documentaries, these screenings set to capture the dynamic social, cultural and political transformation of the South African society, and reflect on the challenges the nation face.The festival took place at a time when many local films are heralded internationally for their quality of production, and the small selection of films shown in Parliament’s festival truly stood testimony to this as well as the remarkable local talent that has elevated this industry to global prominence. Aside from the many serious issues addressed through the films, it also allowed us the opportunity to humorously reflect on unique cultural quirks of our society.
For more info on PMP projects check out: http://www.pmpsa.gov.za/
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