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Carrot! Margaret von Klemperer on Art and Justice

by Liesl on January 5th, 2009

Art and Justice edited by Bronwyn Law-Viljoen tells the rather fascinating tale of the art works adorning South Africa’s shiny new Constitutional Court. (Ok, no longer new, but still shiny.) The book’s making an impression internationally too.

Reviewer Margaret von Klemperer is quite taken with the work. She notes that it “offers a look at the ideals on which it [the Constitution Court] is built, and their dynamic translation into art. In life, compromises and reality tarnish ideals; it is good to have a reminder of what they are, and how they can be kept in the public eye”:

AS those who have visited the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg know, art is an integral part of its design, whether in the carpets, light fittings, the “Justice under a Tree” logo of the court itself, or in the collection that is housed in the building.

This is no accident — when the Durban-based architects Andrew Makin and Janina Masojada won the competition for the architectural design of the court, they integrated art into all aspects of their work. More than many art galleries, the Constitutional Court showcases the creative talents of South Africans in a spectacular manner.

Now Bronwyn Law-Viljoen, who edited the earlier David Krut publication on the building of the court, Light on a Hill, has put together an elegant volume that combines photographs of the artworks collected in the court and the pieces that are part of its construction. There are also essays by Judge Albie Sachs and the architects, and explanations by many of the artists of the processes involved in the creation of the works.

• Complete review in Witness

• Art and Justice: The Art of the Constitutional Court of South Africa homepage

And if you’re likely to be in the vicinity of Columbia College, Chicago, on January 26 at 6:00pm, don’t miss this book launch and discussion to be held at the Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor:

Two years ago, the Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media presented a special discussion with Albie Sachs, South Africa Constitutional Court Justice, including a virtual tour of the award-winning Constitutional Court building. This year, the Institute is proud to host a return engagement with Justice Sachs to celebrate the publication of a new book about the Court’s art collection.

Art and Justice: The Art of the Constitutional Court of South Africa pays tribute to a uniquely successful fusion of art and justice in a building that has achieved international renown for its warm and democratic quality. The Constitutional Court, the most important new building of South Africa’s peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy, is built on the site of a notorious prison that once held Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. Art and architecture are fused in the Court in an inspiring and innovative way, informing visitors that they are in a place where the constitutional principles of human dignity, equality and freedom reign.

Ben Law-Viljoen’s brilliant photography and Ellen Papciak-Rose’s vibrant and intuitive design are combined with incisive texts by the creators of the building in a book of rare visual emotion and imbued with profound respect for human rights. The book will be released in January 2009 by David Krut Publishing, and features a preface by US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This special book launch discussion will be Justice Sachs’ premiere stop in Chicago during a national book tour across North America. Justice Albie Sachs will join in a discussion with Dr. Bronwyn Law-Viljoen, Managing Editor, David Krut Publishing.

Book Details

• Art and Justice: The Art of the Constitutional Court of South Africa by Bronwyn Law-Viljoen (Editor)
  EAN: 9780958497558
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

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