KES

Clive Chipkin passed away peacefully on January 10th 2021 in Johannesburg, aged 91. Clive was born on 21st March 1929 in Johannesburg, the city he made his own. He was an extraordinary person who lived a rich and full life and meant much to friends and colleagues in the heritage and architecture communities.

2013 Award of an Honorary D Arch

In 2013 his alma mater, the University of the Witwatersrand, recognized his scholarship with the award of an Honorary PhD. His books Johannesburg Style: Architecture and Society 1880s to 1960s (David Philip, Cape Town, 1993) and Johannesburg Transition: Architecture and Society from 1950 (STE Publishers, 2009) are seminal monographs which made his name. They represent a lifetime of research, extraordinary knowledge and critical analysis.

Clive Chipkin leading a tour of the Ridges of Johannesburg for r Brown University students in 2018 (Kathy Munro ) 

The Importance of  Chipkin’s Two volumes on Johannesburg

Johannesburg Style quickly achieved iconic status and is regarded as a work of great distinction. Eric Itzkin describes it as a work of genius. The title, Johannesburg Style was meant to signify that Johannesburg has a characteristic way of doing things. Clive dissected how the colonial capitalist city with an entrepreneurial culture evolved – this was...

In searching the archives or trawling through book finds, one sometimes encounters two items in different places that have a relationship and a natural belonging. This happened recently when I discovered a cache of Johannesburg photographs decked out to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII in June 1902. Some months later in a batch of recently purchased pamphlets I found the official Programme for the same 1902 coronation celebrations in Johannesburg. Putting together two quirky and chance survivals opens up a window on the world of Johannesburg in 1902.  

The first find was a set of photographs of Johannesburg located in the Wits architectural archive. These are eight clear sepia tone photographs of Johannesburg decked out in bunting, flags and celebratory wreaths and adornment set to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII set for June 1902. The photos carry a stamp on the rear showing they were from EE Saunders, photographer of 88 Marshall Street.  

The centre of festivities was Market Square and believe it or not this extraordinary pastiche of a series of three Indian triumphal arches topped by two domes and a turret was erected. The slogans were "Indians greet their Emperor", "Loyalty to Kin and Emperor". This fanciful structure and more more beyond (see the background) stood where the Town Hall was later built.
 

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