The International Public Art Festival 2024
THE 8TH EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC ART FESTIVAL TRANSFORMED THE CITY THIS PAST WEEKEND IN CAPE TOWN'S COMPANY'S GARDEN.
Emerging as a reprieve from the often elitist and highbrow world of art is the International Public Art Festival (IPAF). Using the streets of Cape Town as gallery walls, the festival shows us how art can exist around us, serving as the backdrop of everyday life.
The festival takes place in the heart of Cape Town’s city centre, the Company’s Garden. By basing this event here, the IPAF aims to promote the democratisation of art, bringing art to the people amidst Cape Town’s cityscape.
“Our mission is to turn every wall, every street, every corner into a conversation, and an opportunity for change,” says Melissa Cucci, co-founder and Creative Director at Baz-Art, and co-founder of IPAF. Here in Cape Town, we're not just creating art, we're crafting the future, one brushstroke at a time.”
The festival invites local and international street artists to create large-scale public artworks, performances and installations. “The street is my playground,” says Johannesburg-based graffiti artist Mars, whose work formed part of the immersive welcome area of the festival. “Skateboarding as a young teen, I was always surrounded and drawn to the bright colours of graffiti.”
Going into its eighth year, the theme of this year’s IPAF was CoAct/Collab, honouring communal action and creative alliance. During the festival attendees could take guided tours and attend creative workshops, but much of the art itself remains dotted around Cape Town, free for the public to enjoy.
Calligraphy artist CRBZ flew in from Switzerland to paint a mural that spans the walls in the pathway next to Pot Plant Club on Bree Street.
“Working with the texture of the city is really exciting to me,” CRBZ explains.”Sometimes there would be obstructions on the building, such as windows, but it becomes an opportunity to play with the specific architecture of this city.”
For his piece at the festival, CRBZ was inspired by the diverse botanicals of South Africa and the colours of Cape Town, specifically the blues, orange and whites that dominate the city.
“Through my work, I get to travel and meet people from many lovely countries, but more than that, I get to leave something behind that will remain for years to come,” says the artist.
“Some people will walk past this piece, maybe they won’t even notice it, but there will be people who stop to look at it, even if it’s just for a second, and that’s why I do what I do.”
IPAF website and Instagram.
Words by Nabeela Karim for Letterhead
IPAF on Instagram
Mars on Instagram
CRBZ on Instagram