Saype in Cape Town, South Africa with “Beyond Walls”

Three frescoes in Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa are the latest installments of hands and arms joined with one another for the French large-scale land artist Saype.

Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the artist at work on the land-art fresco at the Philippi township in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)

The pieces are created in Sea Point (6000 m²), the Philippi township (800 m²) and the Langa township (800 m²) and together represent the 9th stop on his worldwide “Beyond Walls” project.

Given the crises that the world is experiencing with the Covid-19 pandemic and the historic divisions in South Africa, Saype says he chose to present a fraternal vision in these three neighborhoods of Cape Town.

Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. The artist at work on the land-art fresco at the Philippi township in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)

Project organizers say “The current crisis reinforces Saype’s optimistic will to present these universal frescos of benevolence and togetherness,” even though he knows that it may represent, “a modest contribution to reunite a city whose historic scars have not yet healed.” Recognizing that the society is still striving to recover from the dark time of apartheid, here is an artist who is using his talents to help heal wounds.

Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the land-art fresco at the Philippi township in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)

Just finished on January 21, organizers say that the three frescoes were created using approximately 1000 liters of biodegradable pigments made out of charcoal, chalk, water and milk proteins.

This project is carried out in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa, the International Public Art Festival, Baz-Art and the City of Cape Town.

Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. The artist at work on the land-art fresco at Sea Point in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. The artist at work on the land-art fresco at Sea Point in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the land-art fresco at Sea Point in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the land-art fresco at Sea Point in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the artist at work on the land-art fresco at the Langa township in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the land-art fresco at the Langa township in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
Saype. “Beyond Walls” 9th Stop. Aerial view of the land-art fresco at the Langa township in Cape Town, South Africa. January 2021. (photo © Valentin Flauraud for Saype)
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