Gather. emerging identities through event design at Salvokop

Abstract

The design proposes a satellite event of the 2019 Presidential Inauguration conceived as a public gathering that takes place in Salvokop, Pretoria. A bilateral approach will be adopted. Firstly, implementing event as a temporary catalyst to activate the site on an urban scale, introducing it as a signifi cant space of belonging and representation. Secondly, the event residue establishes a more permanent infrastructure that becomes a place of expression for the community. The design is relevant to the interior discipline as it deals with identity, human experience and temporality. This design approach is grounded in a theoretical understanding of identity construction, from the perspective of narrative identity and how this becomes spatially and architecturally relevant. The notion of ‘narrative identity’ describes identity as being formed at the intersection of factual and perceived narratives. It is proposed that space becomes a ‘factual’ narrative with which the users can engage and attach their own narratives, ultimately facilitating the emergence of multiple, interconnected identities. The project aims to defi ne a series of moments that create an experience that stretches beyond Freedom Park into Salvokop, establishing a reciprocal relationship between them. These moments are informed by three narratives that address identity at various scales, namely ‘Express Yourself’ ‘Gather’ and ‘Celebrate’ (democracy). While a proposal is made for the whole event, the design interventions focus on these three moment specifically.