The Pixels to Perspectives Exhibition at UFS captures the heartbreak of JaaS Fontain residents who lost their livelihoods. The exhibition harnesses art to archive their emotional stories.

Curators Focus on Community Engagement

The effectiveness of the Pixels to Perspectives exhibition is rooted in its community engagement approach. Curators from UFS emphasized that they wanted to empower the residents of JaaS Fontain by giving them a voice through art. By asking community members to share their photographs, the exhibition not only showcases the community's resilience but also preserves the local history, allowing residents to express their emotional trauma through creative outlets.

Art as a Medium for Healing

Art has the unique ability to convey emotions and foster healing. For the residents of JaaS Fontain, the Pixels to Perspectives exhibition is a critical step towards understanding and processing their collective grief. Art becomes a vessel for storytelling, inviting viewers to connect deeply with the residents' experiences, thus serving as a powerful reminder of both loss and resilience within the community.

The Ongoing Journey of Recovery

The launch of the exhibition represents a significant moment in the ongoing recovery of JaaS Fontain. While many families are still navigating the aftermath of the disaster that claimed lives and livelihoods, the exhibition offers hope and a sense of continuity. As residents pursue legal avenues for compensation, this permanent exhibition stands as a testament to their stories and the community’s unwavering spirit to rebuild and reclaim their narrative.

In a heartfelt initiative, the University of the Free State (UFS) has launched the Pixels to Perspectives exhibition, which serves as a powerful tribute to the residents of JaaS Fontain. Curated over three months, this exhibition focuses on the aftermath of a devastating disaster that struck the community, reflecting the emotional narratives of residents who lost not only their livelihoods but also cherished memories. Using art as a medium, curators engaged with the local community to gather images that narrate their stories, creating an archive that resonates deeply with both residents and visitors. The collaborative effort involved reaching out to community members, who were encouraged to share their photographs and memories from before the disaster. The exhibition features pieces that are 100% owned by the community of JaaS Fontain, ensuring authenticity in the representation of their stories. This engagement approach was essential, as it allowed residents to play an active role in conveying their experiences, from loss to resilience. The emotional impact of the disaster remains palpable, as 140 families were displaced when the tailings dam at the JaaS Fontain Development Mine collapsed, resulting in significant material loss and the tragic loss of three lives. The exhibition, unveiled on September 9, also represents a crucial healing process for the community as they reflect on both their material and emotional losses, such as memories of loved ones immortalized in photographs. Residents are hopeful that this permanent exhibition will continue to tell their story and keep the memory of their lost homes alive.