The Can't Get Car - Wire Art Made In Mdantsane

We came across a very interesting find - entirely made in Mdantsane some twenty years back.

The Can't Get Car - Wire Art Creation By Philipp Ntliziywana

The "Can't Get Car" - so called because one can't get it anywhere is a wire art creation, that was made by Philipp Ntliziywana, a resident of Mdantsane, when he was in his 20's.

Side View of The Can't Get Car

The car found its way into the King Williams town museum in 1989. It was purchased in June 1989 for a 100 Rand from its maker and is still exhibited there at what is called the Amathole Museum today.

A Scrap Metal Detail Of the Can't Get Car

"It is undoubtedly one of the most unusual and comtepmorary art pieces that found its way into the collection of the museum in recent years," so says the Amathole Museum.

Santa Claus as side decoration

Philipp, the talented artist has included in the construction of the "can't get car" all standard automobile details as well as many unconventional parts and ad-ons. The wheels are fitted with tyres and the windows with perspex windshields. There are front windscreens wipers as well.

Everything inclusive, engine, battery...... and a lot of extras

The car has front and tail lights, a battery, an engine and a radiator complete with the radiator cap.

Moreover the car is fitted with a fan, a telephone, a stove and a television set with a large T.V aerial mounted on the roof of the car.
Pimp my ride! Does that sound familiar? With his can't get car Philipp has probably realized more than one of his own dreams. 

The Can't Get Car In all Its Beauty

Like many more others and simpler wire motor cars, that can still be found in the rural parts of the Eastern Cape, the luxurious can't get car can be directed and manipulated through the help of a fitted steering wheel.

For A Quiet Ride.....

Where is talented Philipp Ntliziywana now? He was in his twenties, so the museum says, when he created this piece of art in Mdantsane. He must be in his late fifties now. Is he still making art, amazing wire creations? We would love to know but probably we will not. One thing is for sure, Philipp was far ahead in time with his creation. His can't get car is largely constructed and crafted from discarded metal and scrap metal pieces. Recycled Art and Design at its finest!

The Amathole Museum in King Williams Town

Where to see it? At the Amathole museum in King Williams Towns.

The maker of the can't get car, Philipp a Mdantsane resident!

The Amathole Museum in King Wiliiams Town in The Eastern Cape

The Drivers Cock pit of the Can't Get Car

Zingisa Zang Nkosinkulu - Welcome to COUCHLOCKPROJECTS

Today we are introducing you to the blog of Zingisa Zang Nkosinkulu -The Art of Zang.
Welcome to COUCHLOCKPROJECTS for Arts development/ Exhibition/ Projects/ Hip Hop/Graffiti

Zang has contacted a couple of days ago The Mdantsane Way Magazine and left us his link. We followed up (it took a while, like always) but what we have seen is very interesting and stimulating!

Who is Zang? First of all he is born and bred in Mdantsane.

That makes him so interesting for us. And he is another perfect showcase of Mdantsane talent. Great talent, that has unfortunately left the township but we understand, you have to go where you can find a living.

Here is Zang in his own words:

Zang, living today in Pretoria in Gauteng was born and raised in the Township of Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. 

He acquired his diploma in Fine Art at NMMU, his B-Tech at WSU and is currently studying towards his Master’s in Visual Art at UNISA. He worked at Belgravia Art Centre while in East London as an art teacher for five years. 

After that he joined the team at UNISA Art Gallery as a gallery assistant. Zang is a Visual/ Graffiti Artist with a Calling to use ART as a Mediator to TRANCEND beyond conditions of his birth place. 

To bring new hope, share Creative Wisdom and Encourage youth to be ARTISTIC, EDUCATED and Conscious Individuals. Art is a way he lives trying to relate to the world in a CREATIVE and SPIRITUAL ways. Zang believes in working in creative collaborative projects and workshops to develop the Artistic Underdeveloped Communities.

Zang's Studio from where he works. Images by Zang

 

Zang's Studio, work in progress, All Images are by Zang himself

That is what we also believe in. We see art as a tool of expression of the society we live in but also as one of the most powerful transformation tools. The place one is born into is not the place one is confined to for the rest of one's life. 

We have taken a few images from Zang's blog but we do not have the intention to tell his story for him because he is already doing a good job telling his story himself and presenting himself and his art to the world. We really invite you to go over to his blog and have a look at his artwork! 

Laetitia

There is a series called Laetitia, a life drawing exercise he did with candle smoke and other materials. We have been absolutely impressed by this mixed media art piece.

My Culture - My Technology- Vanishing Values Of The Xhosa Tradition

In my culture my technology he deals with the theme of the culture of the Xhosa people, that is being treatened by technology. 

Zang says: "Technology is a symbol of change and technology weakens things of value. For instance, now the are new circumsizing tools, that are governmental or hospital tools. Now the traditional spear used to remove foreskin will be forgotten. Now children sit down and play with their cellphone they do not sit around the fire and wait for their grandmother to tell them stories."

His artwork is of course for sale and as every artist in this world he needs the community's support. All his contact details are on his blog.

Zingisa Zang Nkosinkulu