As part of the 2006 Venice Architecture Biennale, themed Cities: Architecture and Society, curated by Cassim Shepard, I was invited to produce a short film profiling Johannesburg.
The film, titled JHB626GP, combines digital photographs, archival film, video, and kinetic flash animations to capture the unique urban rhythms of Johannesburg. It explores the city’s historical legacy of gold mining and apartheid, alongside the everyday conflicts and movements tied to informal economic activity.
JHB626GP highlights Johannesburg’s complex struggle to balance economic realignment with the needs of its urban poor, revealing the endangered vibrancy of street life amid increasing privatization. Produced in collaboration with the London School of Economics, the work features original electroacoustic compositions by Johannesburg-based composer Dimitri Voudouris.
For more on the Cities: Architecture and Society exhibition see Cassim Shepard’s post here.
Video & Montage: Ismail Farouk | Sound Design & Original Score: Ismail Farouk & Dimitri Voudouris | Venice Architecture Biennale 2006
Featured image photo credit: Gian Luca Poggi, architect at Cibic+Partners, designers of the Cities: Architecture and Society exhibition.