

The gallery district is a simple anomaly, it is a number of galleries seemingly arbitrarily placed, but in conjunction with each other. On the Eastern side the galleries are boundaried by a sex shop up North and a petrol garage down South.
There is also a monstrosity of a building with only 3 digits offering any kind of identification. 132 is like some sort of code but the architecture is one of total domination of the area and there seemed to be no particular thought involved in the design, simply a rush to get it finished and stake some sort of corporate claim to a part of Parkwood.
The block of flats above this strip of the gallery district dates back maybe to the 40’s and is a different architectural animal altogether, raising an important contrast against 132. On the corner there is an overload of advertising boards.
Neatly packaged across the road is the Goodman Gallery. One that has paid its dues and become quite an established part of the furniture. It also takes itself a little bit more seriously than its counterparts across the way, maybe a bit too seriously.
However, the recent exhibition by David Goldblatt held there was an “I was there” occasion. Resolution Gallery opposite has a welcoming air about it and they don’t mind animals and kids.
I also first saw the pic by Sally Shorkend taken of David Goldblatt and enlarged and highlighted and enlightened by Ricardo Fornoni. An amazing picture, the subject of the Odyssey of a portrait and one that I ventured back to look at many times, also snapping pics of it from the pavement outside complete with diverse reflections.
Artspace has a minimalist design and layout with exhibits placed cautiously so as not to impinge or abstract on each other. This is an extreme benefit for the avid gallery groupie as interference from neighbouring exhibits can cause serious anguish.
Warren Siebrets hasn’t always been open when I’ve been in the district but their layout is also uncluttered and very conducive to focusing on the exhibits themselves and not the gallery, which should simply a forum or a portal for viewing purposes. Great space for some naked reflections.
What strikes the observant loiterer about the area is its possibilities as a piece of art in its own right. The juxtaposition of sexshop and galleries, the crazy billboard sign, the traffic that never quite slows down and the general feel of being in a cosmopolitan environment with hawkers talking different languages and minibus taxis being stereotypically aggressive and fast, this moment in time is an evolving organism, a kaleidoscopic artwork that is never quite the same.

















