As the V&A Waterfront gears up for its traditional festive season, free of the restrictions of the past two years, it is once again partnering with local artists and crafters to present a visual spectacle of décor installations that will give visitors a warm African welcome.
Joy From Africa to The World, now in its fourth year, continues to grow as a source of inspiration and a call to action for visitors and tenants alike to act responsibly and safeguard the environment.
This year the call-to-action is built around the theme of nostalgia, reflecting a moment in time when the world is yearning for a return to happy, simpler times.
Through the initiative, the Waterfront will continue to shun traditional imported tinsel and baubles and plastics for its festive decorations, which so often end up in landfill sites, choosing instead to creatively repurpose and present fresh, original installations every year. Since 2019, artists and crafters have all accepted commissions to work with local, sustainable materials.
Since its inception, the collaboration with creatives has grown to create 155 jobs and now supports many small local design and craft businesses. The eight NPO beneficiaries the Waterfront works with includes the Cape Town Society for the Blind, and New Crossroads Can. The initiative has also supported 15 young graphic designers and artists and this year a total of 24 individuals, NPOs and SMMEs have participated in the creation of the theme. This year, activations will be in place from December, and will remain up until mid-January 2023.
Visually, Joy from Africa will be bold, bright and fun and will be showcasing Africa’s heritage of innovative textiles and pattern design, and this year’s display has bursts of bright colours indicative of a more hopeful future.
No festive season is complete without a Christmas tree. This year the V&A’s giant tree is a collaboration with Lalela, an innovative arts education programme for at-risk youth, who commissioned their young students to draw self-portraits that will be placed all around it.
Kids can also, look forward to a fun and exciting experience at the Waterfront Wonderland, a fantasy journey through a rocket ship, a sleigh pulled by beaded reindeers, a pirate ship and Father Christmas’ own festive taxi.
Families can also step in and out of three two-metre-tall books, each reflecting the magic of storytelling and this year’s pillars of heritage, hope and inspiration.
