Visualizing Memories: The Hector Pieterson Memorial in Soweto
2006; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 19; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/08949460600598695
ISSN1545-5920
Autores ResumoThis article focuses on the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Orlando West, Soweto, as one of the most significant new heritage sites completed since the advent of the post-apartheid era. Like other new commemorative ventures in South Africa, this memorial is dedicated to a key event in the history of the struggle for liberation, paying tribute to the victims of the 1976 Soweto Uprising and particularly to the young boy Hector Pieterson, who immediately became an international symbol of apartheid oppression and youth resistance. The article first traces the development of this commemorative site, characterized by a shift towards an increasingly formal, public and "official" form of commemoration. A description of the architectural design and analysis of the symbolism of the multifaceted memorial (unveiled in 2001) and adjacent museum (opened in 2002) places the Hector Pieterson Memorial in the wider context of post-apartheid monuments in South Africa and international trends in memorial design. Incorporated into the memorial is a screen-printed life-sized enlargement of the famous photograph of Hector Pieterson (taken by Sam Nzima), which shows Mbuyisa Makhubo carrying Hector's limp body, with his crying sister, Antoinette Sithole, running along. This emblematic image, compositionally drawing on the Christian iconographic tradition of the pietà, is shown to be a significant aspect of the memorial, facilitating the viewer's visualization of the event and identification with its victims. Drawing on concepts derived from studies on the international tradition of war memorials, the article then explores the distinction between a memorial and a monument, and argues that a memorial can change into a monument over time. It is argued that the Hector Pieterson Memorial is currently both a memorial and monument. Lastly, the article investigates the reception of the memorial, how it "works" for different types of visitor or stakeholder, and to what extent this commemorative development has met its lofty initial objectives, which included not only symbolic and psychological aims, such as healing and reconciliation, but also the attainment of economic benefits and alleviation of poverty in the local community.
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