German artist resurrects abandoned house
Pini Bothoko | Friday October 11, 2013 15:04
For over five decades, the hexagonal house has been a haven for vermin and mice and perhaps snakes. Now it looks like Mieth has upset the natural order when she introduced a different kind of sound into the house. The building could have been described as 'lanky' had it been a person. It is one of the historical structures in Francistown.
Reports say it was built as a guesthouse for one Morgan, reputed to be the first doctor at the nearby Jubilee Clinic, which was a fully-fledged hospital at the time. The house has been abandoned for decades but still looks strong. It was built with clay bricks, which must have undergone intense baking to make them durable and roofed with strong corrugated iron sheets.
Mieth said she found it appropriate to give the hexagon house life by introducing sound installation to grab people's attention when passing on their way to and from the city centre. 'This is conceptual art. It will give this house life again,' she said. She said she has realised that the house has been abandoned for a long time and has become a curious place to passers-by.
Some people tended to take advantage of its abandonment to use it for things that are against the law,' she said.
Mieth said that since she was a guest in Botswana she decided to be a guest in the structure and do something that locals would remember her for. She said that for a week, they met at the house to brainstorm on what they can do to the building to make it come to life.
'I wish to see the museum taking care of this house; preserve it for future generations. I have realised that there are a lot of open spaces in Botswana that are not being utilised. I encourage artists to take advantage of these open spaces and do something to showcase their talents,' she said.
Mieth said she has learnt a lot from Botswana for the period she has been going around touring historical sites in the city. She said that Batswana are talented and creative people with brilliant ideas and understand the importance of sharing ideas. Therefore they should use the house as a place to meet and brainstorm and do artistic work benefiting the country.
'When I arrived in Botswana I was told that Batswana are slow people and take things simple. But we managed to change this house into something in a week's time. I encourage them to hold on to this spirit even after my departure,' she said.