Region
Beaufort West Local Municipality
Central Karoo District Municipality
South Africa
Western Cape
Sector
Tourism & Leisure
Summary:
A million African paintings brought together by Africans celebrating Africa. The biggest painting in the world consists of the inclusion of all 53 African countries present on one painting.
Project Description
The biggest painting in the world consists of the inclusion of all 53 African countries present on one painting. The purpose of this painting development is to exploring Africans to Africans and to the rest of the world by creating a sustainable legacy towards and beyond 2010. The size of the painting will be 1 km².
- Each African country is encouraged to invite its artists, of all genders and ages, professional or amateur, to submit a flat art piece.
- Once the art is complete, it is collected nationally and selected pieces are digitally scanned.
- The images are sent to a centralised host computer and a selection of the original pieces exhibited in their countries of origin, either regionally or nationally or both.
- This initiative will potentially mobilise more than 10 million Africans to be part of the 2010 worldwide event
excitement.
- On the completion of the work, the digitized art is printed onto weather proof material and assembled as one gigantic art piece located in South Africa.
- As the art piece is digitally captured, it is posted and can be viewed on 'The Biggest Painting in the World' (TBPITW) website.
- Potential investors, art appreciators and the global public at large will be able to log on and bid for the art piece, or pieces they most desire.
Project Location
The biggest painting will be located in Beaufort West. However, the concept development is relevant to the entire Central Karoo District. The project is focused on putting Beaufort West on the map and convincing tour operators to extend Cape Town and Garden Route activities with at least one overnight stay.
Project Development
Initiatives
- The site will include African cultural villages which will showcase African art, culture, food, drink and music.
- Other enterprises will be encouraged to set up shops on the site to make it even more attractive to tourists.
- It is hoped that a million African paintings wil be brought together by Africans celebrating Africa.
- It is further hoped that this will create local employment opportunities and inspire entrepreneurship.
- TBPITW will be an education centre where visitors can find out more about diverse African cultures and geography and explore the diverse expressions of African art.
- The entrance fee will be kept to a minimum to ensure that everyone will be able to afford a visit.
Project Benefits
Socio-Economic Activity:
- Approximately 1500 workers will be employed to build-up the
site
- Approximately 1000 permanent staff will manage daily operations
- A legacy will be created in each African country with museums of approximately 1,000 original paintings per country and worldwide exhibitions
Empowerment:
- Sub-contracting and sub-letting SMMEs and other relevant commercial businesses to join the site e.g. food courts
- SMEs will have to provide the following services to be outsourced: security services; cleaning services; maintenance of the site; landscaping & gardening services; cothing designers for uniforms and the manufacturing thereof; Furniture procurement and design; tourist guides
- Sustainability value: ongoing arts & culture events will be hosted on site
- Marketing of the image of the hosting district and Africa globally in order to boost tourism in the long-term.
Project Status
- This projects received the support of the Department of Arts and Culture, Department of Sports and Recreation’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Unit
- Hewlett Packard has confirmed the feasibility of the printing of 'The Biggest Painting in The World'. They will set up a printing plant in collaboration with a South African printing company. Their support will be worth about R90 million
- DHL have been approached about the logistics for providing international delivery at a special price.
- Fruitful talks has been started with several organisations in the development aid and arts field to co-operate and use already existing structures (like GTZ, Germany, Goethe-Institut, Alliance Francais, room13, Ubuntu-Institute, FEPACI (Association of African Filmmakers)
- In the process of serious talk with the leading African broadcasters to
produce a reality show that will document the collection process to showcase the continent and its people
Project Requirements
- Approximately 150-200 ha of preferably flat, dry land with a good connection to existing infrastructure. Water and electricity should be accessible.
- Support from the Municipality to get easy access to people who will work at the site
- Close contacts to existing or planned skill-development programmes to get the skills needed: cleaning, security, information/guides, catering, etc.
- Co-operation with the marketing department to look for maximum synergy between already existing arts and tourist structures in the region
- Ongoing support by national and local government authorities
If you are interested in investing in this project, please contact:
Stefanus Jooste
stefanus@skdm.co.za
+27 23 449 1000
