Sketches of Dar

Last month I posted my review of the first TedxDar.  I described a project by Sarah Markes and Mejah Mbuya called ‘Street Level’ that aims to promote the preservation of Dar Es Salaam’s cultural and architectural heritage.  I came across the cartoon sketches and some more information about the project on the African Digital Art blog, which I thought I should share below.

What are your thoughts on preserving our beloved Dar’s heritage? Are you involved with any project that relates to this? Anything that you think should/could be done?

About the artist

Sarah Markes trained at Central St. Martins in London as an illustrator and graphic designer. She has lived in Dar es Salaam for the last seven years, working on an array of educational and creative projects.

Background

The project started with an interest in the older buildings of Dar es Salaam city centre, and a desire to capture some of their essence before they are all too rapidly demolished. As an artist and illustrator, I believe drawings can capture a different and sometimes more vibrant image than photographs. While the architecture creates the context, the vibrancy of Dar street life is a wonderful, rich and quirky realm all to itself. So the drawings have developed to include whole street scenes as well as portraits of street vendors, daladala’s, overloaded bicycles, sign art and much more.

‘Street level’ would like to be a forum for creative writing about Dar es Salaam. Short stories, poems, musings, even two line thoughts and interesting facts would be very gratefully received for consideration. Pieces could be inspired by the artwork or vice versa.

For more details about the project, visit Dar Sketches blog.

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Taha is a technology enthusiast with a particular passion for mobile services. He loves following major technology/business trends in developing countries, especially his native Tanzania, and believes Africa is the new uncharted frontier. His entrepreneurial adventures have focused on CampuSMS – a texting service for college campuses. Taha is currently employed as a technology consultant with Capgemini in Los Angeles, California. He is also an avid traveler and photographer.

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  1. Maybe some of you might be interested in having your own copies of high quality books of these kinds of drawings; drop them a line [click] for reservation.

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