The municipality finally backed down and confirmed the elephants will remain exactly where they belong. My heart is full knowing that Andries can finish the work he poured his soul into. We stood our ground for artistic freedom and won.
December 7, 2010
HALT THE DESTRUCTION BY THE eTHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY OF THE THREE ELEPHANT SCULPTURE
Final supporters
The eThekwini Municipality (Durban, South Africa) has stopped work on the Three Elephant installation it contracted sculptor Andries Botha to do based on the political interpretation of this work by the local African National Congress . This action is a marked departure from the freedoms that the citizens of the Republic of South Africa have afforded artists to express themselves without fear of political interference.
Section 16 of the Bill of Rights (The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa) states that:
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes
a) freedom of the press and other media;
b) freedom to receive or impart information or ideas;
c) freedom of artistic creativity; and
d) academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.
The Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the rights of all people in the country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. The state must respect, protect, promote and fulfill the rights in the Bill of Rights.
We call upon the eThekwini Municipality:
• To enable the artist, Andries Botha, to complete the three Elephant Sculptural installation as it contracted him to do so in the Warwick Junction Viaduct.
• To reverse its decision to destroy the existing work and replace this work with an installation of the “Big Five”.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
November 10, 2010
November 7, 2010
Watching the numbers climb toward one thousand gives me hope that we can still protect the artistic integrity of Andries Botha’s work. Please send this link to your contacts right now so we hit that threshold before the municipality ignores our message again.
October 18, 2010
Watching this movement grow is a powerful reminder that our public spaces belong to the people rather than political convenience. I am overwhelmed by the refusal to let Andries Botha’s work be silenced or erased by those who fear artistic freedom. Your belief in this cause keeps me fighting for the integrity of these sculptures.
Reached 100 supporters
October 17, 2010
6 Comments
These elephants mean so much to the community. Please let the project continue!
This is ridiculous. Leave the sculptures alone! They are beautiful and bring something special to the city.
Durban needs more culture not less. Let Andries finish his work.
The elephants are iconic. Why is the municipality wasting time and money destroying art???
Stop messing with art just because you dont like it. Politics has no place in ruining a sculpture. Absolute shame.
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Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
The municipality finally backed down and confirmed the elephants will remain exactly where they belong. My heart is full knowing that Andries can finish the work he poured his soul into. We stood our ground for artistic freedom and won.
December 7, 2010
HALT THE DESTRUCTION BY THE eTHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY OF THE THREE ELEPHANT SCULPTURE
Final supporters
The eThekwini Municipality (Durban, South Africa) has stopped work on the Three Elephant installation it contracted sculptor Andries Botha to do based on the political interpretation of this work by the local African National Congress . This action is a marked departure from the freedoms that the citizens of the Republic of South Africa have afforded artists to express themselves without fear of political interference.
Section 16 of the Bill of Rights (The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa) states that:
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes
a) freedom of the press and other media;
b) freedom to receive or impart information or ideas;
c) freedom of artistic creativity; and
d) academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.
The Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the rights of all people in the country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. The state must respect, protect, promote and fulfill the rights in the Bill of Rights.
We call upon the eThekwini Municipality:
• To enable the artist, Andries Botha, to complete the three Elephant Sculptural installation as it contracted him to do so in the Warwick Junction Viaduct.
• To reverse its decision to destroy the existing work and replace this work with an installation of the “Big Five”.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
November 10, 2010
November 7, 2010
Watching the numbers climb toward one thousand gives me hope that we can still protect the artistic integrity of Andries Botha’s work. Please send this link to your contacts right now so we hit that threshold before the municipality ignores our message again.
October 18, 2010
Watching this movement grow is a powerful reminder that our public spaces belong to the people rather than political convenience. I am overwhelmed by the refusal to let Andries Botha’s work be silenced or erased by those who fear artistic freedom. Your belief in this cause keeps me fighting for the integrity of these sculptures.
Reached 100 supporters
October 17, 2010
6 Comments
Total incompetence by the council. Art should be free from this kind of interference. Shame on you.
These elephants mean so much to the community. Please let the project continue!
This is ridiculous. Leave the sculptures alone! They are beautiful and bring something special to the city.
Durban needs more culture not less. Let Andries finish his work.
The elephants are iconic. Why is the municipality wasting time and money destroying art???
Stop messing with art just because you dont like it. Politics has no place in ruining a sculpture. Absolute shame.
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Total incompetence by the council. Art should be free from this kind of interference. Shame on you.