Atlanta Unveils Ralph Ziman’s Casspir Project: A Powerful Reflection on Art, History, and Social Justice

Atlanta Celebrates Art and History: The Unveiling of Ziman’s Casspir Project

Atlanta, GA

Proudly placed at the Atlanta Contemporary in the lead-up to Atlanta Art Week, Ralph Ziman’s Casspir Project isn’t just another art installation. This towering, 22-foot-long police vehicle, beautifully adorned with approximately 70 million hand-strung glass beads, brings both a painful history and a powerful message of hope and transformation.

A Journey from Apartheid to Art

Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the brutal apartheid era, Ziman’s life has been heavily influenced by systemic oppression and violence. Reflecting on his childhood, he recalls how Black South Africans were denied basic rights and treated as second-class citizens.

“I saw the people around me—treated as second-class citizens,” Ziman said. Growing up, he couldn’t ignore the profound injustices happening around him despite his privilege as a white South African. “You either have empathy or you don’t,” he reflected.

The 1976 Soweto Uprising left an indelible mark on young Ziman. His memories of that time are vivid and painful: “Our lives were so different. We went to school, while just miles away, kids were being killed for protesting,” he recounted. His experiences during these years, particularly witnessing the unrest firsthand as a cameraman, deeply shaped his worldview.

An Artist’s Fight Against Oppression

Faced with conscription into the South African military, Ziman found himself at a crossroads. Unable to reconcile his values with the oppressive regime’s actions, he chose to flee, despite the risks of being branded a deserter. His journey into exile wasn’t easy, but it paved the way for a remarkable life dedicated to art and social activism.

The Casspir Project is a cathartic culmination of Ziman’s experiences. Originally designed to suppress Black South Africans, the Casspir later found use in global conflict zones, including Iraq and Afghanistan. In Ziman’s hands, this symbol of violence transforms into an emblem of cultural unity and beauty. The vehicle, covered in vibrant beadwork crafted by artisans from several South African tribes, starkly contrasts its past.

A Global Conversation Starter

Floyd Hall, Executive Director of Atlanta Contemporary, was instrumental in bringing this project to Atlanta. The growing significance of Atlanta Art Week made it a perfect opportunity to showcase Ziman’s work. “Our core mission is to provide free admission to world-class art, allowing a broad audience to engage with significant works like Ralph’s,” Hall emphasized.

The installation doesn’t just beautify; it educates. The connection between militarization and civil rights resonates deeply, particularly here in Georgia. The George Floyd protests and the state’s turbulent history with racial violence make The Casspir Project’s message remarkably relevant.

Reclaiming and Reimagining the Future

For Ziman, transforming the Casspir with intricate beadwork is more than an artistic endeavor. It’s an act of reclamation and a celebration of shared humanity. By bringing this project to Georgia, a state that has played a crucial role in recent political changes and civil rights battles, Ziman hopes to spark meaningful conversations about militarization and systemic racism.

“It’s important to remember that while we’ve made progress, the fight for justice and equality isn’t over,” he said. “The past is never really behind us, and the systems that allowed apartheid to flourish still exist in different forms today.”

As Atlanta Contemporary welcomes visitors to experience The Casspir Project, Ziman’s work stands as both a stark reminder of a painful past and a beacon of hope for a more just future. “They say history doesn’t repeat, it rhymes. And right now, it’s rhyming like crazy,” Ziman aptly concluded.