Come One, Come All!

In a ‘Come one, Come all’ fashion for this shoot, the dancers were imaginatively transported back to 1963 in this 'time machine.' Upon entering such a curious model of transportation we were all in a sense ‘magically awakened.’  This retired Leyland OPS45 managed to entertain us as if the wheels still went ‘round-and-round.’ 

This shoot was sparked by Interpret Durban's annual creative competition. Our photos not only had to speak to the overarching theme 'concrete circus,' but had to highlight Durban's built heritage. Here, the dancers – creating lines with their bodies – puts in relief the architectural lines of the bus, forcing us to acknowledge the bus as a part of our built heritage in Durban. By implication, 'the dancer' is also highlighted as an almost forgotten remnant of the city.

Owner Steven Moses informed us that the bus was bought in 1963 for R10 500 and, remarkably, is still in its original colour. The bus ran in the Sydenham, Overport, and Clairwood area but was discontinued from public service around 2007 as the half-nose design of the bus made it difficult to drive. The bus is now parked in the owner’s garden in the Newlands area as there is no transport museum in Durban where the bus could be on display. This not only speaks to the need to preserve the heritage of our transport system but also the need for an architectural space in which such heritage can be viewed. By extension, dance, in particular Ballet, also deserves such value so as to preserve our artistic heritage.