Dar Sketches is part of the Street Level project initiated by artist and illustrator Sarah Markes. It is a celebration of the cultural and architectural heritage of Dar es Salaam as well as an effort to raise awareness of the threats to this heritage posed by rapid and unplanned urban development.
Many of the old Asian buildings in the city centre have been demolished in recent years and replaced by generic glass high-rise. In addition to the loss of history this dramatically changes the lives of residents, their livelihoods, environment and access to services.
While not a plea to freeze development, the project aims to encourage thought and discussion around the city’s transitions in the hope that more sustainable solutions can be found. It does this by portraying aspects of the city in artwork, through the words of the city’s best contemporary creative writers and the views of key architectural heritage and conservation experts.
The project comprises publication of the Street Level book (first edition published June 2011, second edition August 2012), a series of exhibitions, sales of prints and postcards, creation of a walking tour map and app, and involvement in various heritage awareness activities. It also aims to encourage creative writing and the collection of histories about Dar – comments, stories and anecdotes about any aspect of life in Dar are always extremely welcome via the blog or email sarahindar@gmail.com.
Reviews and interviews
Feedback
I am electrified by your unique contribution to my home town. When my 76 year old Dad in Dar flipped through the pages, his knee jerk comment was reading your book was better than seeing Dar in a movie. - Sajjad
A truly delightful book, a must for those who love Dar and those who care about its history. – MG Vassanje
My father grew up in Natwar House… I have photos of the building, but none capture the beauty and spirit like your illustration. I cannot imagine a better keepsake to connect me to this part of my heritage. - Rishi
Prints and cards
A3 prints, postcards and greetings cards are available from the Green Room shop in Dar: www.thegreenroomtz.com and soon to be available for order online.
Awards
The Street Level book was awarded ‘Honor Book for Older Readers’ by the Children’s Africana Book Award 2012, organized by the African Studies Association in the US: www.AfricaAccessReview.org
More artwork
Oh, what brilliant talent!
Sarah – Put me down for a copy. Can’t wait to see it.
Cheers!
Anton
Awesome idea Sarah : ) I too am saddened by the streak of old building demolition going on (and am especially horrified by what is put up in their place). I am happy someone is preserving a bit of old history and sharing it with others… Put me down for a copy too – love it!
Lovely idea, please put me down for a copy, thanks
Its a great project.Where can I obtain the book & postcards?
Keep it up!!!
best wishes
trudie
I’m very inspired the writings here, and the clever and beautiful drawings, thanks
What a great project !
I would like a copy of the book when it come’s out
Liz x
many thanks Liz – great that you are inspired by the work.
I will let you know as and when its likley to be out…hoping by the end of the year, but cant promise!
s
SM, you got yourself a new huge fan! Keep it up..and yes, I would like to have a copy of the book when it’s out.
Thanks.
yay, great to hear! thank you so much!!
will put a copy aside for you when its done!
I am so delighted to meet you again and to see your work now. Your latest drawings are very good, full of vibrancy and clarity.
Put me down for the book when it is ready and I hope to see you in the Autumn.
David
Wonderful indeed to be back in touch, and so glad you like the recent work.
Will keep u posted on my travel plans – alas i doubt the book will be ready by then, but you never know i may have some proofs at least!
[...] level drawing Came across this site via Creative Roots (a site I’ve grown to love): Dar Sketches, is a project set up by a London trained artist, Sarah Markes, who has lived in the Tanzanian city [...]
thanks a million mark… i hadn’t seen creative roots before, and it looks great – much appreciated, s
By Taha
http://vijana.fm/2010/06/30/sketches-of-dar/
Original and very creative way of getting different viewpoints and contexts toward one core idea. Just like that pictorial of Tanzania by Hicks (cant remeber his full name), I’m already seeing the same for the whole of Tanzania, not just Dar es Salaam.
One copy for me pse!
hey, thanks for the enthusiasm… don’t worry dreams / plans are already afoot for the next book to cover more of the country!!! I will let u know when the first one comes out tho!
s
This is very exciting. If you visit my website, you’ll see that my first novel was set in Kenya. Your drawings/illustrations/?? are simply wonderful!
Your work captures the spirit of this place we currently call home. Please sign me up for at least 1 copy of your soon-to-be released book! And thanks for the creativity!
Many thanks for the enthusiasm! I will put u on my booklist! In the meantime, i have an exhibition of the street level drawings and paintings at the Alliance Francais gallery, opening on the evening of 3rd november and going on to the 13th – karibu sana!
I found your website on Stumble! and am now missing Dar very much. Please let me know when your book is published.
Best of luck!
Edel
many thanks edel – i will keep you posted on book progress for sure and hope you manage to get back to dar sometime! s
saw the working cover on a brochure done by mkuki and fell in love right away… mmm mmm mmm, my my my just cant find the words…
wow, well mmm mmm mmm is better than many words!
thanks a million for the enthusiasm. if you are in dar nov 3rd – come to the show! karibu sana!
Sarah, this is such an inspired project! Your artwork is truly evocative and beautiful. I would love to be involved in the future if you have any need for creative writing pieces inspired by living in Dar. Please contact me if you are ever looking for writers.
Best, Rebecca
http://www.rebeccacorey.wordpress.com
hi rebecca – thanks so much for the positivity! i have been having internet hassles so only managed a quick look at your blog, but it looks great… once i am back online properly i will peruse more of your writings. am always enthusiastic to collaborate so i will be in touch for sure. if you are in dar nov 3rd karibu sana to come to my exhibition opening!
cheers
s
[...] The Project background: [...]
[...] The Project background: [...]
I have spent both too much and too little time in Dar over the past several years. I look very forward to the publishing of your book! The concept is spot-on and your artwork is wonderful!
haha, i think i know what you mean!
thanks for the enthusiasm – i will let you know once the book is ready.
s
[...] Histórico do projeto: [...]
[...] Darsketches [...]
Hi Sarah,
Would like to have a copy of your book. How much will it cost? By the time I read this post, it’s June 2011. I believe the book must be out by now.
Share some lights for those who are in Dar or abroad, where we can buy the book, either online or in-store.
Respect for arts and artists
KiNyoka
hi
thanks so much for your post and interest in the book!
its tsh 40,000 (or 25 usd) and yes it finally arrived in bookshops in dar es salaam last week (novel idea, the green room upstairs at the slipway, tanzania publishing house bookshop on samora avenue)
it will hopefully be on amazon and other online stores in the next few weeks as well as other shops in tanzania and zanzibar
best wishes
s
I picked up my first three copies of the book over the weekend at the Green Room. Wow – what an amazing culmination of your wonderful work! I absolutely love it! It’s my new gift for personal and professional visitors as a token of their stay here in Dar. HONGERA!
This is amazing! I grew up in Dar and it is so wonderful to find a way of preserving the architecture around Dar. Thank you!
i am so happy to have found this site (thanks to Lisa Maria Burgess, whose site led me here)! the pictures are beautiful, beautiful. this is n.s. koenings — also in love with dar from childhood, wishing i could spend more time there as a grownup. i dream of it so often — and it is the spirit of the imagined city of vunjamguu where my first novel was set. so many of these very buildings, too, in my eye when i was writing. jody above… i would so like to read your work! how can i find out? and sarah whom i’ve never met….could we correspond if you’re inclined? i’ve just started a project and i think your thoughts would be great, great to hear. most of all, best, best wishes to you and **thank you*** for making your beautiful work available on the web.
up with art and freedom, and love to all, all makers.
n.s.k.
Super studies of Dar. Brings back fond memories of when I was there in 1991-1992.
Jeff
Fabulous book- I lived in Dar as a child and still try and go back as an adult. Your artwork absolutely captures the spirit and authenticity of the city and its people. Its a sight for sore eyes indeed!
Jenny
UK
The Children’s Africana Book Award program, affiliated with. The African Studies Association in the U.S. selected Street Level as its Honor Book for 2012! Award ceremony will be November 3, 2012, at the National Museum of African Art in Washiington D.C. See http://www.AfricaAccessReview.org in the Awards section.
Simple, nostalgic sketches. Reminds me of some Asian places in the 70′s. I can’t even draw a cow. Also, the writing in “thick walls, thin air; a moment of nostalgia” (just read it) was beautiful.