Dimensions: 12x16 Inches; Media: Scratchboard and knife; Country of origin: USA; Year of creation: 2024; Description: Art and architecture are both beautiful ways for one to leave their mark in this world. As a child, growing up in Tanzania, I spent all of my vacations on the island of Zanzibar, which is where my dad’s family is from. Every time I saw a door, I would run up and look at the beautiful unique designs. Zanzibar is often known for its doors, which are unique and intriguing - and unlike anything I have ever seen outside of Zanzibar.
While the doors are massive, there are smaller openings within the doors, which are used on a daily basis. The rest of each door and the stone relief on top is covered in unique patterns that have been carefully and tirelessly carved by craftsmen. When a door is made, the carvings are personalized. They represent pieces of the owner’s identity, such as their occupations and hobbies. Zanzibar is home to a great number of these precious antique doors, as they depict the mark left by the ancestors, and their ways of life. Whenever I go back to Zanzibar, or imagine myself running through the streets of Zanzibar, the most prominent marks in my head are the door carvings. They are a prominent part of their
surroundings, and depict the cultural value of the island.
The Zanzibari people are not the only people who have left their mark on the Zanzibari soil. Zanzibar was under British colonial rule from 1890 to 1964. In 1925, a British architect designed a peace memorial museum as a memorial for the first world war. This museum has had a great impact on Zanzibari history, leaving its mark on generations to come. Eventually, it became known as the Beit Al Amani (house of peace), and was used to display historical exhibits, teaching new generations about slavery, Zanzibari culture, and traditional crafts. The Beit al Amani lacks a lot of things that would otherwise be traditionally Zanzibari, such as a huge wooden door. It is a white pristine building - almost looking like a mosque. This depicts the lifestyle of the British at the time. At the same time, this monument has left its mark, and will continue to do so on each generation that comes forth, as it teaches them about their identity, history, and preserves vital cultural aspects that may have otherwise
been lost due to colonization.
Currently, there are numerous architectural projects happening in Zanzibar, introducing modern structures and architecture. An example of this is the Zanzibar domino tower, which could potentially be the second largest building in Africa. These skyscrapers will also leave their own marks on the soil of Zanzibar, contributing to its rich history and culture. When thinking about mark making, I believe that each generation, and each piece of architecture has a mark on the world, no matter how small. For my project, I decided to use the marks that are an integral part of my inspiration to be an artist, and that mean the most to me - the carvings of Zanzibar doors. I then decided to show the marks left by the development of architecture since the carvings were originally made. I therefore decided to create a window with the same carving concept that is used in Zanzibar doors. Looking out of the window, the Beit Al Amani was placed, surrounded by greenery. In the background, three skyscrapers were placed. This depicted the movement from the old to the new, and into the future, showing new generations and ideas that leave their marks on the world.