In the second part of our exclusive video series with Sumayya Vally, the architect discusses how her studio Counterspace's project Folded Skies addresses the complex geographies of Johannesburg.
Counterspace's Folded Skies installation comprises a series of large iridescent mirrors. Each mirror features a different colour gradient, which was created using pigments found in dust produced by the mines that surround Johannesburg, South Africa.
"The Folded Skies project draws on some of my earlier research around Johannesburg's mine dumps" explained Vally in the video, which Dezeen filmed in London.
Counterspace's Folded Skies project comprises three mirrored sculptures
Beautiful sunsets can often be seen over the city of Johannesburg. However, this unusual iridescent light is thought to be a result of the toxic dust that is released by the mines around the city. "They're brilliant colours ? copper, cobalt, nickel, potassium ? [but they're] very toxic substances," said Vally.
"This is what gives us the most brilliant quality of light and brilliant qualities of sunset because the dust is iridescent."
The iridescent colours of the mirrors refer to the unique pigments caused by mining waste
The three mirrors are meant to recreate the light of Johannesburg at sunrise, sunset and midnight, but also act to question the social geography behind this phenomenon.
The pieces were installed at the Spier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch as part of the Spier Light A...