As part of the performance component Fiona de Bell has been scouting the neighbourhood for local singers, musicians and performers. Besides finding a host of hip hop and rap artists, she has roped in several local choirs for a Cascoland magnus opus dubbed City Voice Scapes.

The choirs assemble at the Drill Hall square. They take different positions on the site. One group is up the roof, another on the stairs of the Point Blank Gallery and one off towards the south gate. Centre square stand Fiona and three choirmasters, megaphones in hand to communicate with the choirs. Traditional South African songs such as ‘Shoozalooza’ are rendered. V oices and percussion blend from all sides, mixing with the hooting of the taxi’s out in the streets, all to the ever present background noise of this pulsating city. Because of the distance there is a slight time lapse between the choirs, adding to the 3D effect of the voices carried on the wind. T he City Voice Scapes daily sound in the opening of the programme of events. The familiar sound of the hooting taxis is being transformed and becomes a call to the people.

Fiona de Bell