Created by
Mafundikwa, Simba, American
Subject of
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwean, founded 1956
Joina City, Zimbabwean, opened 2010
Karigamombe Centre, Zimbabwean, constructed 1985
Date
2017
Medium
digital
Dimensions
H x W: 3558 pixels × 5120 pixels
File size (2021.111.1): 572.4 MB
File size (2021.111.2): 578.51 MB
Caption
Statement from Simba Mafundikwa: In this portrait, I imagined a future African city, Harare, that looks past the political and [economic] discourse. Over the last few decades, rural to urban migration has increased exponentially in Zimbabwe with many being forced to travel long distances in order to grow and sell their produce.
In 2080 the city is self-sufficient, sustainable and is both urban and agrarian. The sustainable architectural additions to the existing infrastructure draw inspiration from the local Zimbabwean culture and environment. Communal hubs around the city generate renewable wind energy and are spaces for residents to maintain communal gardens. The city will also generate renewable solar energy from a central photovoltaic structure in an attempt to reduce pollution and Harare’s carbon footprint.
Taking Olekan Jeyifous Africa 2081 series as a model, the workshop explored "portraits" of liberation and collective action and the ways we think about urban imaginaries. This urban portrait of Harare, Zimbabwe and linking to other sites in the African Diaspora, explores how the imagination, dreams of the future, and desire inform social movements and radical social practices embedded in the everyday life of cities.
This portrait was created during the Global Africa Lab workshop. We spent one week at Columbia University and 2 weeks in Zimbabwe.
Description
Two identical digital images with the title "Harare 2080 - Afro Imaginary Portrait" depicting a futuristic cityscape of Harare, Zimbabwe. One of the images is a Photoshop Document file (.psd) (2021.111.1), while the other (2021.111.2) is a derivative TIFF (.tif).
In the images’ bottom left corner, a woman and two other individuals can be seen harvesting green plants. The woman wears a brown striped shirt, brown head wrap and carries a wicker basket on her back. Behind her, purple Jacaranda flowers can be seen in the distance. In the background, numerous buildings from the Harare skyline can be seen, three of which tower above the surrounding cityscape and distant vegetation. One of these buildings, the New Reserve Bank Tower, can be seen in the images’ center. Situated to the bank's immediate left, the Karigamombe Centre can be observed, identifiable by the distinctive white spire located at the top of the building. Further to the images’ right, the Joina City shopping mall also towers above the surrounding buildings. In addition to the skyscrapers, four (4) futuristic white towers can be seen protruding above the surrounding environs. Each consists of a central tower that terminates in an antenna at the top and is surrounded by a partially woven lattice facade. Also towering above the cityscape and horizon created by the distant vegetation are wind turbines.
Place depicted
Harare, Harare Province, Zimbabwe, Africa
Collection title
Rendering Visible
Classification
Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Movement
Afrofuturism
Type
digital images
digital media - born digital
Topic
Africa
Architecture
Black geographies
Design
Technology
Urban planning
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Simba Malfundikwa
Object number
2021.111.1-.2
Restrictions & Rights
© Simba Mafundikwa
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd563bafb38-77ae-408e-8583-f57711474b5b

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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