It is usually forbidden to write on tablecloths, but that is exactly the appeal.
This is the opinion of Talia Simons, a fourth-year graphic design student. She is closely involved in the project where people can write on tablecloths on the Rooiplein and inside the Neelsie, as part of Stellenbosch Universiy's celebration of diversity between 30 September and 4 October.
The tablecloths will have various questions written on them in Afrikaans, English, and isiXhosa, such as: "What does diversity mean to you?" and "I feel proud to be a Matie when..." Students will write their responses on the tablecloths.
"When something is taboo, it has an implicit challenge. And that challenge and the excitement that goes along with doing something forbidden is attractive," says Simons.
"I'm interested in how people interact with their environment. This project gives them permission to publicise something personal. They get to leave a public mark to say they were here. I am looking forward to see how a variety of participants interact with their environment and tell their own stories during the week of diversity."
The project also gives a voice to those students who feel like they're usually not heard.
"Students often feel like they have no say in decisions made by the university," says visual arts lecturer Dr. Elmarie Costandius. She is in charge of all the art projects for the diversity celebrations.
"By writing in public, students feel they have a voice. When they think they are being heard, they work together and interact better."
Costandius, who has been involved in a variety of other projects where students publically "chat" by writing down their thoughts and feelings, says that students' feedback influences the way she teaches.
"If you as a lecturer don't know how or what your students think, you are not in touch with the people you're teaching."
The tablecloths with the messages written on them will be bound as a book and will be exhibited as part of final exam exhibition of the students who are involved with this project.
"The book is simultaneously a record and an artwork," says Costandius.