Hoop it up, Loop it back, Repeat A Decade of Memory and Interconnectivity at a Johannesburg Basketball Court

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Cover image: A public space in Johannesburg. Credit: GIZ VCP, Inclusive violence and crime prevention programme.
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Published: Dec 31, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32891/jps.v7i1.1552
Keywords:
basketball court interconnectivity crochet repetition Johannesburg

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Alexandra Cunningham
University of the Witwatersrand

Abstract

An inner-city Johannesburg basketball court has served as the backdrop for a decade of intertwining relationships, creating a home away from home and a secondary family for the members of this community. The fence surrounding the space serves as a threshold through which one enters a separate world, distinct from the city that surrounds. The space is reminiscent of a nostalgic hip hop basketball culture, yet also keenly local and unique. The cyclical, repetitive nature of each day at the court allows for the development of deep personal connections and communal safety within the court space. The cuts and ruptures that occur are built into the nature of the culture in the space and while disruptive, are also what allows for growth and change and deeper intertwining. These concepts are explored through conversations amongst court community members and artworks reflecting on this research. While the pivotal elements that develop this community are the people, the physical infrastructure is also key in allowing this day-to-day consistency to lay the groundwork for such a sense of home and belonging.

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How to Cite
Cunningham, A. (2022) “Hoop it up, Loop it back, Repeat: A Decade of Memory and Interconnectivity at a Johannesburg Basketball Court”, The Journal of Public Space, 7(1), pp. 323–342. doi: 10.32891/jps.v7i1.1552.
Issue
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2022): Public Space and Placemaking in African Cities
Section
Non Academic / Case study
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Author Biography

Alexandra Cunningham, University of the Witwatersrand

Alexandra is a visual artist, placemaking and public art specialist, educator and social entrepreneur. She is the managing director and founder of Boundless City, a community-based urban development company focused on public space and public art in the Johannesburg inner-city. Boundless City aims to provide opportunities to existing residents and businesses by offering space, resources, programmes, community engagement, employment and connections. Her artwork explores themes of pattern and repetition through which personal intertwining relationships, culture, history and community emerge.

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