This week, we visited Cape Town, South Africa to look for a special set of glasses – those worn by ex-South African President, Nelson Mandela. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the new memorial, titled Perceiving Freedom, stares out at Robben Island, home to the prison where Mandela was incarcerated for nearly three decades. It is meant to draw a connection to Mandela’s time behind bars. As per a statement from the artist, Michael Elion, the sculpture “links us to the mind of a man whose incredible capacity to transcend enduring physical hardship, with unwavering mental fortitude and dignity, transformed the consciousness of an entire country.”
The memorial has not been without controversy. Duane Jethro, writing for Africa is a Country, describes “Perceiving Freedom” as “a pathetic appropriation of commemoration as cover for a commercial promotion. Really, it’s a stunning emetic trigger that suggests that Nelson Mandela is beckoning us from the afterlife to buy Ray-Ban sunglasses, to do our duty for reconciliation and nation-building by consuming this luxury product,” he writes.
Found before the hint:
- hhgygy
- Graham Hedley
- Phil Ower
- Paul Voestermans
- Martin de Bock
- Glenmorren
- Angie CF
- Garfield
- Eloy Cano
- Lighthouse
- Gillian B
- Bas van Limpt
After the hint:
- The Curiosity