Building of Ark in Durban in progress

The South African Department of Environmental Affairs is partnering on the production of a major public artwork project Ark, for social mobilisation and participation leading up to and during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17) being held in Durban from 28 November to 9 December 2011.

The ark is a well-known and age-old story about family, friendship and how precious nature is. This project presents a hands-on opportunity for people on all sides of the climate change spectrum to share in the making of something beautiful and imaginative - a participatory approach that will hopefully set an example for how to face our planet's most pressing climate change challenges.

A symbol of warnings of climate change

The 30 metre-long, 12 metre-wide and 16 metre-high temporary, albeit monumental-scale public artwork is now in production and will be sited next to the Marine Parade on Durban's beachfront. The Ark will be clad in 2 litre recycled plastic bottles planted with indigenous flowering plants and green life. The first batch of plants will be placed on the ark on 27 November by 250 VIPs and dignitaries and more planting will take place during the COP17 conference.

"The Ark is an innovative symbol of resourcefulness, listening to warnings about climate change and finding positive new creative ways to heal our planet. The project is also a fun-filled metaphor for what people can do when they share. We are inviting the COP17 delegates and the people of South Africa to come and help the team to clad the giant structure with indigenous plants. This project is our way of working together in finding creative solutions to environmental challenges and becoming practitioners of a sustainable environment," says the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa.

The Ark is designed by Cape Town-based designer-artist Porky Hefer and produced by South African public art action company, AAW! Art Project Management.