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5 Interior design and relevance to the debate at hand An interior designer combines various elements within a space to create an ordered theme of design. This includes the use of inter alia, colour, texture and various art forms. The key element to this type of design is matching purpose with practicality. 17 The Centre for Human Rights, as far as my limited understanding stretches, does not deal with the pretty and flowery issues of the world. Applying the most basic principles of interior design, it is clear that the theme which was probably originally intended for by the art selectors, was appropriate to the given department. Granted that the etchings may be offensive to some, the very make-up of the issues dealt with in the Centre for Human Rights may create a rather striking mental-picture which is also offensive to many individuals. Hence, without insult, the latter individuals should rather concern themselves with a field of the law which does not deal with the most ostentatious acts of violence in the world. To my knowledge, the persons who would be exposed by this art on a daily basis are familiar with the issues raised in the paintings. The effect which I propose it will have is that of impetus — an additional driving force behind these progressive individuals to institute changes in the system where necessary, as well as to stand firmly behind the promotion of equality, justice and effectively a respectable society. Thus, activism is promoted. I concur with Sontag’s first testimony as quoted by Heyns, referred to by Modiri, that horror art could have a predominantly positive effect in terms of creating awareness of pressing social issues. 18 However, I disagree with Modiri’s statement averring that it could ‘desensitise the viewer’ and Sontag’s view that ‘atrocities [wear] off with repeated viewings’. When art is viewed superficially at the first glance the shock-value is at its peak and I do agree that the shock-value may decrease with repeated viewings. The variance in my view is in the richness of art. Art is charged with meaning. Every time one views a specific piece of art, one can discover something new. The artist Bansky said, ‘The holy grail is to spend less time making the picture than it takes people to look at it’. 17 J Gittens (2009) Basic interior design rules 6. 18 CH Heyns ‘In graphic detail: Freedom of expression on campus’ Disasters of peace: an exchange (2005) 1 PULP Fictions 12. 29
30 I have already pointed out the added detail to the far left of ‘Made to measure’. Revisit the drawing and take notice of the other elements which may have been (deliberately) left in the dark at the time of previous viewings. Due to the philosophical richness of art, I do not believe repeated viewings will cause the horror of the act to dissolve over time, but rather that a deeper understanding and appreciation for the earth-shattering nature of the acts depicted will be entrenched. 19 If more individuals have exposure to such art works to the effect that they have a greater drive towards achieving justice and a respectable society, then it could be possible for these artworks to be transferred to the Department of Legal History to classify these problems as concerns of the past. Even though this is highly optimistic, our own country’s history has proven that change in fundamental values of a society is possible and that unimaginable goals are indeed possible if there is a powerful drive behind such a movement for change. William Kentridge and Sue Williamson serve as examples. Both of the above-mentioned artists have played an integral role in actively warning society against the dangers of blind conformism, and also encouraging viewers to take a stance against injustices. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Williamson is quoted as follows: South Africa has a long history of struggle art. Engaging in social issues is what makes South Africa strong ... It is difficult to quantify what role art plays in change. But in the 1980s, the state took note of what we did … Art as protest can play an important role in attaining transformation. It can be a precondition for change. 20 19 See (note 14 above). 20 Sunday Times (22 October 2009) Art as activism, art as protest.
Page 1 and 2: DISASTERS OF PEACE: PART 2 2011
Page 3 and 4: ‘Made to measure’ by Diane Vict
Page 6 and 7: The politics of horror art, freedom
Page 8 and 9: art on their behalf’ 6 while Van
Page 10 and 11: 2.2 How do we categorise art? The d
Page 12 and 13: this kind of innocence, of superfic
Page 14 and 15: we want to advocate in the Law Facu
Page 16 and 17: Following my support for Van Marle
Page 18 and 19: (iii) Thirdly, the University — w
Page 20 and 21: Returning to my earlier point about
Page 22: ... Open and transparent — ironic
Page 25 and 26: 24 Shying away from the images is s
Page 27 and 28: 26 inclined to. 6 Simply put, sex s
Page 29: 28 exhibit the violent nature of su
Page 33 and 34: 32 The Damaso artwork demonstrates
Page 35 and 36: 34 basis’. 27 Public response tha
Page 38 and 39: Untitled Christof Heyns Faculty of
Page 40 and 41: At the main exhibition hall a publi

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