Art Helps Tell The Story
We began today’s adventure with a trip to MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa). The museum itself is a piece of art. Once dockside grain silos, the cylindrical pieces of cement had been hollowed out and turned into gallery spaces. The museum was 6 floors joined by a glass elevator which reminded many in the group of Los Angeles’ Bonaventure hotel. The museum had exhibits that even amazed the self proclaimed, “museum haters” of our trip. I accredit the positive reviews to interactive rooms, videos, and, get this, even the art itself. There was a diverse array of mediums that connected to themes such as African heritage, spirituality, gender, colonization, propaganda, and so much more. I specifically was moved by the museum's ground floor, which showcased student art from a program they had been running. As a student in AP Art I was surprised by what these students a continent away had created, not because I was shocked by their talent, but because so many of the themes I had explored in my work, such as nuclear warfare, they too were also exploring. It was one of the many moments I’ve had on this trip where I thought, “the world is a lot smaller than I think it is.”
After fulfilling our creative needs, we headed off to the waterfront for lunch (fish and chips or Thai food) and exploration of the state of the art mall. To the shock of the group, this shopping center had many stores we have back home, and much more. Some compared it to the Santa Anita Mall.
After a quick rest at the hotel we walked the colorful streets of Bo Kaap. This historical neighborhood, often the dwellings of those Malaysians, Indonesians and Javans, who were enslaved here, is one of the few places during the apartheid era where owners were not kicked out of their homes. The Bo Kaap, due to historical ties, is a largely Muslim section of Cape Town. In this neighborhood one will find a house of every paint color. I walked away impressed with a deep royal blue, one story home. I actually am so inspired that I think it might be time to give my house back home a renovation. I’m thinking Virginia Road would look a whole lot better with a pop of pink!
We ended the day having dinner at a local Cape Malay-Indian restaurant, Biesmiellah. For those planning a trip to Cape Town anytime soon, this is a “Must Go!” Absolutely delicious Malay, Indian and South African food- the bobotie is out of this world. All of us have now settled in our room to rest before an early morning ferry ride to Robben Island to learn about Nelson Mandela’s 18 year imprisonment there. Thanks for tuning in. See you soon!
-Annie H
