Conceptualised and coordinated by wire art trendsetters Streetwires, the sculpture will start out as a fairly incongruous wrought iron tree, standing about 2m high and looking pretty sparse at the outset.
Wire, beads, tin and other materials will be made available onsite to members of the public, who will then be invited to shape a leaf, bead a branch, wrap a trunk or simply let their imaginations run wild as they contribute to the organic growth of the sculpture over the three day event.
Experienced wire artists from Streetwires will be on hand at all times to demonstrate techniques, offer advice and coordinate the creation of the piece.
Jane Pitchford of Streetwires says: "We recognize that the Design Indaba is a magnet for all sorts of creative people, and feel that the interactive nature of this sculpture will be very attractive to them as a fun and stimulating activity at the Show. It also fits in perfectly with our mandate to grow and promote the genre of wire art as a whole, and to educate people as to the validity and dynamic nature of our medium."
The company plans to auction the sculpture at the end of the Indaba, with a portion of the proceeds going to charities that focus on learning, adult literacy and education and the balance being used to fund individual artist development within Streetwires.
The Design Indaba 2006 runs from 24 - 26 February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
