Cascoland Journal

Thursday 23 February

Walking through the streets of New Crossroads what catches the eye are the memorial signs that are placed throughout the neighborhood. It inspired graphic designer Indre Klimaite from Lithuania, to make original signs for shops. Makoti Cashstore and Tamkhulu grocery store are just a few of the shops that have been graced with her inviting artistic signs.

The owner of Nonani fish shop in New Crossroads didn´t know what to think when graphic designer Indre Klimaite started painting a shop sign on her pavement. At first madam Nonani must have thought that Indre was making a mess of it all. When she was taken by the hand and she looked at the sign from a few meters distance, she suddenly exclaimed: `Ah, now I see it!´

It is clear that Indre didn´t make a regular sign for madam Nonani. But if you look from the right angle all becomes clear. Madam Nonani was very happy when she discovered how beautiful and original the shop sign was Indre had made for her. When other people made comments about the sign, madam Nonani was quick to counter them. She said: ´Don´t disturb Indre, let her do her job´.

Before Indre came to New Crossroads she had her doubts how she could contribute positively to this community. She says: ´I was worried about the social context in which we were going to work. I don´t have the feeling that I know so much more then others. So I wondered if the people in New Crossroads would accept me doing my lettering project. To me all societies live the way they do. No one is better then the other. Anyway, as a means to survive my work has very little bearing for the people here.´

It is not so much her humble nature that makes her say these things. She says: ´In many ways I can compare my home country Lithuania with South Africa. In comparison to Western Europe, where everything has to be efficient and the work pressure is high, life in Cape Town is much more relaxed. Just like in my mother land Lithuania. On the other hand, because of that laidback approach, things don´t happen in time in my country. There is a motivation problem. I also see that now, while I am working in Cape Town.´

When she first arrived in The Netherlands, a few years back, she had to work hard to survive, with very little means. She says: ´I had saved money in Lithuania to come and do a one year typography course at the Royal Academy of Visual Arts in The Hague. After a long struggle with getting a working permit in The Netherlands I was more and more appreciated by employers.´

She doesn´t have a specific working method. In all her designs ideas seem to just come drifting in her head. She says: ´I just go and sit behind my computer without an idea. It just comes by intuition.´ But when she starts working on logos for companies, or Internet websites, there are a few rules she has set for herself. She says: ´I will never repeat what I do. I will also not look at the work of other designers. All I need is to get into a kind of meditative mood and my work comes out naturally. Afterwards I can never explain why I did it like this or that.´
What she liked about working in New Crossroads is that for all involved, her and the shopkeepers, proudness was an important emotion. She says: ´I think it was inspiring for the shopkeepers that I, a foreigner, showed interest in their business. It made them feel proud. One woman said that with my signs I showed the love I have for other people. In turn that made me feel very proud.´
Throughout her work in New Crossroads Indre was helped by Shakes Tembani, Randall Wyngaard and Phumeza.

Indre says: ´It was good working with them. Besides being a guide to me and get me in touch with the shopkeepers in a relaxed manner, we often had discussions about the concepts of the different signs. Phumeza showed a real interest to learn how I looked at designing signs. All in all New Crossroads has been a very special experience for me.´

Indre Klimaite together with her assistents at work

Photos of the endresults