Art as a tool for the creation of built form towards a design of a music centre in Durban.

Abstract

“…Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not in some of us: it’s in everyone. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson, “A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a course in Miracles”, 1992. Every individual has been gifted with potential that is often never realised or appreciated by society because of numerous socio-economic reasons. Within the South African context, we see so much potential. South Africa has rhythm, it has soul. The sound of the African drums, the colour and flair of Indian dance, ballet, musical theatre and art to name a few, are all intricately woven into the South African culture. Imagine……….. A place, a single building, proposed for Durban that would house music and the arts, from tutoring to performances aiming to bridge the divide between its diverse cultures and promote and develop skill in the most powerful, multi-functional tool...Music. This study serves as a means of investigating the interconnected relationships between music, art and architecture respectively and aims to provide valuable information regarding music and its role in celebrating a progressive society.