The Johannesburg Art Gallery has been a controversial topic for many art and history lovers in Johannesburg since the early 2010s. But why? I would say it’s due to neglect, due to no one wanting to use the space, artworks getting ruined, no tourism, classism, and many other reasons.
This project is the reinvention of a once highly regarded gallery for the modern era, while allowing the space to house all 10,000 artworks and accommodate future works. After two renovations, the building still suffered from the same conditions: little to no lighting, water dripping through the walls, and the potential ruin of the gallery’s famous artworks. My aim was to address these issues while giving the gallery a source of passive income, allowing it to sustain itself and keep art free to the public.
The history of Johannesburg: the idea of the Johannesburg Art Gallery spreading throughout Johannesburg to connect those far and wide with more of the artworks and bringing in a tone of balance between the outside and inside of the gallery.
History of Johannesburg
Using Johannesburg’s history as a mining hub as the inspiration for burrowing underground to experience the city’s history for yourself.
Parasitic architecture
The underground building (mine) acts as a parasite that spreads from the Johannesburg Art Gallery to the surrounding context.
Community
While on site, I noticed the different communities that the site brings together – different generations, cultures and backgrounds. Therefore, seeing the park as an extension of the Johannesburg Art Gallery would remove those communities, which I did not want to do.
Ruins (Models) – Fragmented architecture
The Johannesburg Art Gallery is falling apart, much like many of the buildings that surround it. Above ground, I decided to have multiple buildings that imitate this idea of ruin, turning the word into a sculptural blend of interior and exterior spaces.
Integration of exterior and interior
Landscape is a very important part of architecture, often thought about last, and I would love to deconstruct that narrative by literally allowing nature to grow through the ground of both the old parts of the museum as well as the new.
Reflection
The aim throughout my project is to connect the gallery to its existing community, while bringing in those from far and wide. Breathing a new sense of life into the gallery while using the original building as a sculptural monument.
The new extension to the museum uses multiple ideas to formulate one huge building meant to house 20,000 artworks (current and future).
The new extension is meant to suit the current generation while leaving space for the Johannesburg Art Gallery to grow outwards from its boundaries and allow people from around Johannesburg CBD to experience the space, allowing the people of this rich city to fall in love with art, whether or not they consider themselves artists.
The aim is to elevate the Johannesburg Art Gallery so that it can be marvelled at by future generations, while giving the art a new place to be exhibited. The project brings back forgotten media as a way of giving the building new life, while creating spaces that are inclusive of all. These spaces will provide the Johannesburg Art Gallery with a stable income while maintaining the current viewing experience and allowing the viewing and exhibition of art to remain free.
Ultimately, the project seeks to keep the heritage alive while giving the building a modern reworking for culture and art.
