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R/£ Landmark lesson for Cape
July 24, 2007 Edition 1
Exhibition: Landmarks of New York, at the Baxter Theatre until August 5. Melvyn Minnaar
Would it be wishful thinking to hope that some of our so-called property developers who, during the present economic flush with rental-income signs flashing in their eyes, don't wait to swing the demolition ball at any and every old Mother City building and read and appreciate the delicate warning message in these lovely pictures of a city far, far away?
Wishful thinking, it probably is - as another old Cape charmer bites the dust with no sign of public protest or protection by any authority. For many Capetonians who sigh at the indifference and greedy recklessness which is haphazardly tearing up our street fabric - simulacra of our social and aesthetic history - the 80-odd images of New York's famous places will be bittersweet.
Set-up on same-size easels in the theatre building's cold-hearted foyer, the Landmarks of New York show comes across less a bit of soft American propaganda than a quiet didactic installation, reminding us too of our built-up city environment and its people. From a photographic point of view, the pictures are not too fancy, but rather deadpan and honest, with detailed, professionally provided information. The message is the object.
The exhibition, which shows a select 81 photographs of the city's 1 118 designated landmarks, 104 interior landmarks, nine scenic landmarks, and 84 districts, comprising 22 100 properties, was organised by the Historic Landmarks Preservation Centre in New York with Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel as curator.
It came about two years ago in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the passage of the New York City Landmarks Law - civic legislation that preserves buildings, properties and objects that "have a unique character or special historical aesthetic value as part of the development of the cultural fabric of the city, state or nation".
New York's landmarks law was one of the first in the world and served as a model for others in the US and elsewhere. The special exhibition toured the US and then internationally. It has also appeared in book form.
When launched, the Landmarks Commission indicated that the exhibition was an important tool towards its mission: "Protection of these resources is essential to safeguarding the city's and the country's historic, aesthetic and cultural heritage, provides positive economic effect, and enhances many attractions that benefit business and industry."
How hollow that sounds amid Cape Town's present chaotic building boom. Old buildings go down, lost. New ones rise. Has any of architectural significance risen next to a Cape Town pavement in recent years? Could there ever be a Landmarks of Cape Town exhibition to make us proud?
These photos emphasise the important role that public architecture has played in city and national life. Many of New York's purpose-built structures became models for the rest of the country. Among the photos are examples of public housing, hospitals, churches and train stations.
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