African Design Magazine ADM #40 May 2018 | Page 29

THE VELD WALL - ROSEBANK, JOHANNESBURG
T
he Art Mile extends along Keyes
Avenue, Rosebank, with the
well-known Everard Read and
CIRCA galleries as the catalyst for this
developing precinct. The newer Trumpet
building, housing the established SMAC
Gallery, along with the new TMRW Digital
Gallery and comprising a large multi-
functional exhibition space, links into
the award winning CIRCA gallery which
was designed by the same architects
and urban designers, Studio-Mas.The
Trumpet building was created for both
established collectors, and young people
wanting to gain a foothold in the art
world. Small specialist shops, intimate
cafes and restaurants allow activities
to spill out on to the sidewalk, and are
positioned in this almost entirely green
space, with the Veld Wall located directly
opposite on the extension of St Theresa’s
School on Keyes, while rectangles of
planting provide greenery with locally
indigenous plants, at this pavement level
retail precinct. This stretch, which also
allows for an overflow from the galleries
at the monthly Art & Design Saturday,
is terminated by another small, less
complex, green wall. The sidewalk has
a slightly broader grassland planting
palette and is shaded by a double row of
Wild Olive trees.
This already developed area of Keyes Art
Mile has gained popularity over the last
year with the developer supporting the
First Thursday’s movement. Every first
Thursday in the month, this portion of
the street is closed to traffic and Jo’burg
gathers in the public realm to appreciate
the latest in art and design, to enjoy
music and socialise in true street party
fashion. People sharing their stories as,
Wilken says, art tells its stories; as does
architecture and nature.
Wilken explains that future phases
of the Art Mile are at concept stage,
being workshopped by the design team
and that, broadly speaking, it will be a
mixed use area, including a housing
component. Although not pedestrianised,
AFRICAN DESIGN MAGAZINE © | MAY 2018
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