Cape Town’s highly anticipated street art festival, Baz-Art’s International Public Art Festival (IPAF), will take to the streets from today, 14 February.
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Baz-Art was founded in 2016, and it is the driving force behind the eighth edition of the festival, which will transform Cape Town’s streets into a vibrant canvas of public art and community engagement.
Melissa Cucci, co-founder and creative director of Baz-Art as well as co-founder of IPAF, leads this initiative with the goal of revolutionising ‘placemaking’ through the power of art.
In a statement, Cucci stated that as they unveil the eighth International Public Art Festival, ‘we are reminded that art is not just a mirror held up to society, but a hammer with which to shape it.’
‘At Baz-Art, we harness this transformative power of art to redefine spaces, to give voice to stories untold and to foster a sense of community. Our mission is to turn every wall, every street, every corner into a conversation, into an opportunity for change. Here in Cape Town, we’re not just creating art, we’re crafting the future, one brushstroke at a time.’
Baz-Art is calling the creating of public art projects ‘placemaking’.
‘Placemaking is an innovative approach to transforming public spaces into vibrant community hubs through the power of art.’
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‘Annually, IPAF curates a series of public art projects that not only beautify spaces but also stimulate social interaction, enhance urban safety, economic development and cultural exchange.’
‘This year, the festival begins with activations in The Company’s Garden and unfolds throughout Cape Town’s CBD, inviting the public to immerse themselves in a realm where art meets urban living.’
‘Placemaking is synonymous with safemaking,’ Cucci explained.
‘By enlivening neglected areas, we’re taking pride in our spaces and making them welcoming for everyone. Placemaking through public art is posited as a beacon of change, potentially marking the beginning of an era where creativity and community collaboration can transform a space and make it more accessible, secure and engaging.’
The iThemba Walkway is one such example, located in the heart of Gugulethu.
Speaking to IOL, Roshana Naidoo, director and community facilitator at Baz-Art, said, ‘The walkway is a symbol of what public space should be: a democratic platform that invites diverse voices and encourages dynamic, collaborative growth. Through IPAF, we extend this philosophy, showcasing how public art catalyses not just aesthetic enhancement but also communal well-being and integration.’
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Baz-Art’s innovative approach to placemaking greatly improves the safety and comfort of urban spaces. The organisation has had a significant impact on communities by creating jobs, promoting tourism and celebrating heritage.
Its initiatives have also demonstrated that public art and placemaking are effective tools for community development and social change.
Since its inception, IPAF has served as a platform for street artists to showcase their talents and for communities to engage with art in an accessible and impactful way.
For more about the festival’s five days of public art, street art murals, street tours, workshops, pop-ups and more, visit the IPAF event website.
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Picture: ipaf_festival_sa/ Instagram