Paper short abstract:

This paper is based on a performative tour of the Makers Precinct in Johannesburg. It may be used to take a self guided tour of the area and includes reflections on its evolving pedagogical practices and the value of ephemeral processes as opposed to physical interventions in urban public spaces.

Paper long abstract:

Public Art Tours (PAT) was created by artist and entrepreneur Chrisantha Chetty to invite people on a journey through spaces and times. Important to this is PAT's research on creative and playful ways of learning and doing. PAT wants you to experience the ephemeral city in new and alternative ways, open your mind to possibilities you might have otherwise (dis)missed and challenge your perception of art, space and place. PAT travels to cities around the world documenting existing public art and offering conceptual tours. This involves looking at what is there, (re)presenting this by applying different theoretical frameworks, provoking questions and exploring the complexities of art in public space. In 2018, Public Art Tours performed a tour of The Makers Precinct: an area in Johannesburg including Bez Valley, Bertrams, Lorentzville, Troyeville and Judith's Paarl. The area is being developed into a Makers Precinct and the tour was created specifically to show around representatives from the Johannesburg Development Agency and a group of potential investors. This paper is based on the tour and may be used to take a self-guided tour through the area. The purposely-selected route allows exploration of a possible future of The Makers Precinct in the context of further development. The paper challenges one to use their imagination in approaching physical interventions in the city, and reflects on the evolving pedagogical practices developed through PAT and other projects. It also explores the value of ephemeral processes as opposed to physical interventions in urban public spaces.