As part of the Johannesburg Development Agency’s (JDA) mandate to make city areas desirable to potential investors, the organisation has identified public art as a successful means to improve the urban experience of the city, while empowering South African artists at the same time. Due to this a percentage of every JDA project is allocated to a public art installation as part of the project. This is why the Rea Vaya stations have art panels incorporated into them, the Ellis Park precinct upgrade is adorned with large sculptures, and Ernest Oppenheimer Park has artwork integrated into the park experience.
The Trinity Session, Directed by Stephen Hobbs and Marcus Neustetter (both artists), has managed almost all public art installations for the JDA. The organisation has been directly involved in sourcing artists or running competitions, managing budgets and ensuring conceptual clarity and relevance.
Key public art projects implemented by the JDA and The Trinity Session include Clive Van Den Berg’s Eland in Braamfontein, William Kentridge and Gerhard Marx’s Firewalker near Park Station, the Vilikazi Street sculptures and Maja Marx and 26’10 south Architect’s Optic Garden in Houghton.
The public art project in Johannesburg has kept city spaces alive and relevant. Enticing the public into spaces they wouldn’t usually venture, while drastically improving areas and providing a living record of Johannesburg the city and society.