The project was conceived by the Savannah College of Art and Design Semifinalist Team (7C7BE2) and created for the 2014 Walt Disney Imagineering’s Imaginations Design Competition.
The challenge was to "select a large and densely populated urban area and design an experience that temporarily or permanently transforms the city for the enjoyment of its citizens and visitors."
This project is the sole property of Walt Disney Imagineering and all rights to use these ideas are exclusive to Walt Disney Imagineering.
The competition is a way for students and recent graduates to showcase their talents and for Walt Disney Imagineering to identify new talent.
Citizens and visitors of Cape Town are invited to participate in the week-long Ubunye Festival, a celebration built around their traditional Heritage Day. The festival celebrates the stories of history, strength and potential of South Africa, with the overarching theme of unity (ubunye).
The tradition of the Baobab tree as a symbol of unity was the inspiration for our story. It is believed that the tree empowers the people who gather under it, just like it did for tribal leaders during times of conflict.
The Guardians of Cape Town are the protectors of the land and its people. They have gifted the city with a magical tree that enables their dreams to blossom and to be seen across the land.
The Ubunye Tree would become the keeper of the dreams of hope, so they may never be forgotten.
The Guardians of Cape Town are the protectors of the land and its people. They have gifted the city with a magical tree that enables their dreams to blossom and to be seen across the land.
The Ubunye Tree would become the keeper of the dreams of hope, so they may never be forgotten.
The Guardians of Cape Town
Illustration by Anna Hudman
“Ubunye” means Unity in Zulu. The Tree is formed by the union of the powers of the three guardians. It is meant to protect the dreams of the people of cape town, and keep them alive to inspire the community for generations to come.
The Ubunye Tree
Illustration by Rachel Daheim
The Ubunye tree has spread its roots across the city, creating a network of Zwana Kiosks. “Zwana” means communicating with each other. The tree is powered by the people as they interact with its roots and leave their legacy of hopes and dreams.
The Zwana Kiosks
Illustration by Anna Hudman
History, strength and potential are the stories that shape the week of the festival. Each Zwana Kiosk gives guests the opportunity to record their personal story, prompted by the theme of each day and guided by the guardian that protects it. The more people participate, the more the Ubunye Tree comes to life.
Interactive Station
Illustration by Anna Hudman
The Festival blooms with its sights and sounds, as guests gather at the Company’s Garden in downtown Cape Town.
The Ubunye Tree lights up with colorful rings, becoming a visual link to the volume of dreams being created at the Zwana kiosks.
Illustration by Rachel Daheim
Guests can go inside the Tree and discover “Inkaba” (heart). This is where the Ubunye tree will preserve the stories gathered by the Zwana Kiosks. Guests can interact with Inkaba and be inspired by what other people have shared at the kiosks throughout the festival.
"Inkaba"
The Festival culminates on Heritage Day, when thousands of Protea flowers light up the cityscape. The dreams recorded during the festival bloom and spread from the tree to the mountains, where the story of South Africa’s heritage is projected as part of the show.
Illustration by Rachel Daheim
This ceremony signifies the culmination of the event, and establishes the permanence of the tree in the city. The Ubunye Festival strives to transform the city through the hearts of its citizens and visitors, by leaving behind a permanent reminder of history, inspiration for strength and dreams of the potential of a unified community.
My role in this project was Team Leader. My main responsabilities were art direction, story and character development (writer) and research.
