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Uncovering the reality of ‘ bad ’ buildings in Johannesburg
Seeking to recognise what happens to buildings and their residents after funding is cut off , artist , architect , researcher , writer , curator and project manager , Hariwe Johnson , went on a journey into the inner-city of Johannesburg and specifically into downtown Doornfontein to understand the realities of those left behind . Johnson ’ s project researched over 20 so called ‘ bad buildings ’ but he focused his research , work and his team on one particular building known as ‘ Dark City ’.
By Ntsako Khosa
A survey revealed that 220 people live in ‘ Dark City ’.
Hariwe Johnson ' s thesis is called , ‘ The ‘ Dark City : Critical Interventions in Urban Despair ’ and was named after the building that they focused on . Johnson invited several contributors , to his project , in various fields such as : electrical and structural engineering , research and anthropology , fine art , animation , and ( most prominent at the gallery exhibition : photography and videography ( Jono Wood and Dirk Chalmers , respectively ).
At the end of his academic year , Johnson founded ‘ The Dark City ’ Project . After two years of research and exploring the building Johnson and Wood were offered exhibiting space at the Circa Gallery in Rosebank from November 2016 to January 2017 .
Johnson ‘ s project received summa cum laude and the highest mark ever awarded at the University of Johannesburg . He has also been commended by South Africa ’ s leading clay brick and paving manufacturer , Corobrik at the 2015 regional and national architectural student awards .
There are a significant number of buildings in the city that have been abandoned by their legal owners , and subsequently the city ’ s local government has cut all water , electricity and refuse collection services .
Invariably , these buildings are occupied by the poor and destitute . The inhabitants live in horrendous , slum conditions , among trash , human waste , crime and disease .
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