Kliptown Business Plan - Johannesburg Development Agency

• Behind-the-Scenes Exhibition (Dairy Farm): The Kliptown ‘Open Air Museum’ is a
revolutionary approach to memory and heritage that facilitates community control of its own
cultural resources. This exhibit invites both community and visitors ‘behind-the-scenes’ to see
how it all works, as well as participate in exhibition making. The Behind-the-scenes exhibition is
at the old Dairy Farm- one of the oldest buildings in Kliptown, and one that conjures images of
a communal working space
• Freedom Exhibition (The Square): A dynamic multimedia exhibition that explores the
history of the Freedom Charter as a nationwide call for Freedom and Democracy in the
footprints of the historic Congress of the People on the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication.
This exhibit also explores contemporary experiences of ‘freedom’, explores icons of freedomsuch
as Walter Sisulu, and makes links to today’s Constitution. Jada’s- a historical building
whose owners were actively involved in the organisation of the Congress of the People, and
which played a significant role in the history of Kliptown, is used as the main indoor space for
this exhibition.
• The People’s Monument (The Square): This monument marks the gathering of people at
the Congress of the People in 1955. It is envisaged that visitors can participate in the building
of the monument, through placing engraved Xs (as a symbol of ‘voting’) onto its structure,
allowing it to evolve incrementally over time. The monument of the Freedom Charter echoes
the ‘We The People’ wall at Constitution Hill, extending the idea that ordinary people, through
their participation began by ‘building‘ the Freedom Charter, which, in turn, led to the building of
the Constitution of South Africa. The monument allows for visitors to re-dedicate themselves to
the building of democracy and freedom. Spin-offs of this process include the development of an
icon for Kliptown in the shape of a X that can then be developed into unique merchandise
(jewellery, bags etc.) and art works projects.
• Visitor Centre Exhibition (The Square): This is a basic ‘teaser’ exhibition that gives
visitors an orientation to the Kliptown ‘product offerings’. It aims to entice visitors to experience
all the Kliptown has to offer.
• Railway Exhibition (Hoarding Exhibit along the railway): This exhibition celebrates the
excitement of arrival, the defiance, the danger, and the journeys of all the people who came
together for the Congress of the People. Looks at the critical role that train transport has played
in the history of SA: migration, mobility, displacement and exile. The Exhibition is built as
hoarding alongside the railroad, so that it is visible both by train passengers, and those walking
along the railway track.
• Temporary Exhibitions (The Square) : Temporary Exhibitions are accommodated in the
Multi-Purpose Centre. These Exhibitions could include community initiated exhibitions,
travelling exhibitions (e.g. Jurgen Schadeburg and students’ photographic exhibition of
Kliptown; exhibitions from other museums etc.). These exhibitions are not funded as part of the
Museum.
KLIPTOWN OPEN AIR MUSEUM BUSINESS PLAN 23