Art in the Cape
Mar08

Art in the Cape

We’ve promised to bring you news about different things happening in different provinces (other than Gauteng), so here’s something interesting to do if you’re in Cape Town. I love art galleries, they are just so fascinating, having been to the Goodman Gallery here, I would without a doubt recommend a visit to the new gallery opening up in Cape Town… To launch the Goodman Gallery Cape in Fairweather House, 176 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, gallerist Linda Givon has invited 21 of the country’s foremost artists to participate in its inaugural exhibitions. The first “Lift Off” exhibition launched the new Goodman Gallery premises in Johannesburg a decade ago in 1997, and in keeping with tradition most of the original artists are represented again. The first exhibition of Goodman Gallery Cape with artists Willie Bester, Norman Catherine, Kendell Geers, David Goldblatt, Robert Hodgins, William Kentridge, Kagiso Pat Mautloa, Sam Nhlengethwa, Penny Siopis and Sue Williamson opens on Thursday 22 March 2007 at 18:00. As the new space can not accommodate all the artists Goodman represents, “Lift Off” is being presented in two parts. The second “Lift Off” exhibition runs from 5 May to 26 May 2007. Designed by award-winning architect, Jeremy Rose, from Mashabane Rose Architects, Goodman Gallery Cape is located within the exciting and rapidly developing East City precinct of Cape Town.   Situated in a mid-20th century industrial building, the minimal and elegant gallery space created by Rose is tailored to display contemporary art at its optimum, whilst retaining the integrity of the original structure’s interior, in particular its spectacular vaulted ceiling. In architect Jeremy Rose’s words, “the gallery provides an understatement of space that is made to serve art”. Rose’s monochromatic gallery design accommodates only one window that consciously frames a spectacular view of Table Mountain. Natural light halos the long walls, while shorter walls roll on wheels to remake the space allowing for maximum flexibility when devising each exhibition. The total effect is one of memorable contrast to the Woodstock industrial and social fabric, exploring the role of art as commentator. The aims of the Goodman Gallery are to promote contemporary art in South Africa and to leave a legacy and a history for our country to enjoy. The gallery has been opened in Woodstock because it borders on District Six which is a symbol of the marginalization of apartheid. This way it can embrace a wide audience and encourage everyone to enjoy and absorb what is on...

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BBC launches new Africa Beyond website
Mar07

BBC launches new Africa Beyond website

Tuesday 06 March 2007 saw the launch of the new BBC website Africa Beyond celebrating African arts in the UK. Africa Beyond casts its net right across the African continent to illustrate the diverse and complex cultures of the 54 African nations and the Diaspora – in cinema, television, photography, literature, music, architecture, visual art, history, craft, design, performing arts, workshops and debate. The website will be a hub for information, discussion and exploration of African arts, beyond the geographical borders of the continent, and beyond any preconceptions about Africa and its culture.  The new site brings under its wing the BBC’s existing music website Africa on your Street, with its interviews, features and CD reviews covering everything from Afrobeat to Hiplife to Mbalax, plus gig listings from across the UK.   Coinciding with Ghana’s 50th year of independence there will be a special focus on Ghana’s impact on the UK arts scene over the past 50 years.  DJ and music promoter Rita Ray kicks off the new website with her preview of Ghana-related events this year. There’s an interview with playwright Ama Ata Aidoo whose classic play Dilemma of a Ghost will be revived in London later in the year. You can browse a photo gallery of Max Milligan’s extraordinary images of Ghana and read about innovative Ghanaian company Theatre for Change. Coming soon will be features on Ghana’s up-and-coming new writers, and more Ghanaian music from old-style highlife to reggae to hiplife.   Africa Beyond carries on the BBC’s African web coverage where the Africa 05 festival left off.  Africa 05 left its mark with many high profile events such as Africa Remix at the South Bank, Back to Black at the Whitechapel Gallery and Africa Live at the British Museum, and even incorporating commercial partners such as Time Out, Starbucks and Borders and Books Etc.    The Africa Beyond programme will also include live events, including the Word from Africa festival, a week long celebration of African languages which launches on 02 June 2007 with an event at the British Museum featuring musicians, poets and storytellers in the galleries and theatre halls. Further events will be happening in African restaurants around London.   Africa Beyond is supported by the BBC and Arts Council with other core partners including inIVA (Institute for International Visual Arts), the British Museum and South Bank...

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Durban: New exhibit @ artSPACE
Jul23

Durban: New exhibit @ artSPACE

artSPACE continues to break new ground with up and coming artists exhibiting their work every month… Next up at artSPACE durban is the opening of “Work(ers) in Progress” on Monday, 31 July at 6:30pm and closes on Saturday, 12 August at 1pm. This is a collaborative exhibition by students and practising artists and is curated by Cheryl Penn. The exhibition brin… gs together paintings, digital work and photographs by artists in various stages of creative development. It is an attempt to bring together a cross-section of work currently being produced by artists (and artists in the making) in the Durban area. ********************************************* JUNEYou have three days to catch the Fresh n Fab Grace Kotze at Durban’s trendiest gallery artSpace… then there are two new exhibits opening for June – they’re on the ball as always.:Next up at artSPACE durban: Opening on Monday, 5 June at 6 for 6:30pm are the following exhibitions: Next up at artSPACE durban:Opening on Monday, 5 June at 6 for 6:30pm are the following exhibitions:In the Main Gallery is “Rocktalk” an exhibition of paintings by South Coast artist Lorraine Goss-Ross which will be opened by John Roome, the Head of the Fine Art department of the Durban University of Technology. In the Middle Gallery is “Through My Eyes” an exhibition of black and white photographs by Durban photographer Dale Grobler. Please note that there will be car guards on duty and a cash bar. Both of these exhibitions close on Saturday, 24 June at 1pm. ******************************************* May Our sources tell us Durban Fine Artist Grace Kotze’s star is rising… just google her name and check out her vibrant work and we’re sure you’ll agree. We’re still on at you Durbanites about you bad reputation for attending cultural events – come on, wozani… go and support young artists. Put on your berets and get to the exhibition opening on Monday the 15 May 2006. “Co-ordinates” a solo exhibition by Grace Kotze Co-ordinates is Grace Kotze’s third solo show, worked on over an intensive five month period forming an intrinsically linked collection of oil paintings which work as a group of individual art works but also as one. The works expand on and link one another, setting up many points of dialogue within the show. Opening Monday, 15 May at 6:30pm. There will be a cash bar and car guards on duty. Exhibition closes on Saturday, 3 June at 1pm. *artSPACE durban 3 millar road (next to Waste Centre) stamford hill durban tel: +27 31 312 0793 **************************************** OFF THE WALL – the next exhibition at ArtSPACE in Durban looks like fun – it starts this Saturday...

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SASOL SIGNATURES – entries closing!
Jul23

SASOL SIGNATURES – entries closing!

Hurry up! Apologies for the late reminder… but some of the best work is done under pressure! Artists! R100k up for grabs… ENTER! Entries must be in on the 19 July 2006! Sheshani! Sasol New Signatures Competition Final Call for Entries Entries to this year’s Sasol New Signatures Competition officially closes on 19 July 2006. Aspiring young artists are able to register an… d enter their works at six national collection points on 18 and 19 July 2006, or online at www.sasolsignatures.co.za until 19 July 2006. Physical submissions will be accepted on Tuesday 18 July 2006 and Wednesday 19 July 2006 between 10:00 and 16:00 at the following collection points: artSPACE Durban, 3 Millar Road, off Umgeni Road, Durban, Tel: 031 312 0793 Oliewenhuis Art Museum, 16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein, Tel: 051 447 9609 Pretoria Art Museum, corner Schoeman and Wessels Street, Arcadia Park, Pretoria, Tel: 012 344 1807/08 Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Quad Gallery, School of Creative Arts, Faculty of Arts, Summerstrand Campus (North), University Way, Port Elizabeth, Tel: 041 504 3494 University of Johannesburg, Faculty of Design and Architecture (FADA), Bunting Road Campus, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, Tel: 011 406 8477 US Art Gallery, Corner Dorp & Bird Street, Stellenbosch, Tel: 021 808 3524 Internet entries have already opened and close on 19 July 2006. Entrants will be required to register at www.sasolsignatures.co.za by creating a username and password and completing the online entry form before submitting a work. Online entries must be submitted to one of three categories: Category A includes all two dimensional artworks and incorporates drawings, photography and all types of paintings. Category B includes three dimensional artworks such as sculptures and installations. Category C is for all new media. This may involve videos and electronic applications The annual visual arts competition, presented by the Association of Arts Pretoria, is open for entry to young and upcoming artists aged 18 years and older. This year’s Sasol New Signatures Competition boasts total prize money of R100 000. This comprises of an overall first prize of R60 000, a runner-up award of R15 000 and five merit awards of R5 000 each. The winners will be announced Wednesday, 16 August 2006 at the opening of the exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum. More details and entry forms can be obtained from Nandi Hilliard on (012) 346 3100 or on www.artsassociationpta.co.za or here...

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Diane Victor @ the Goodman
Jul16

Diane Victor @ the Goodman

Sounds like an original way to make art… and so it should be. Go and see Diane Victor’s Smoke Drawings, mused from the images of missing children and friends… Sounds sad. DIANE VICTOR 22nd July – 12th August 2006 Goodman Gallery The Goodman Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition of new works by Diane Victor. The show opens on the 22nd July 2006 and will comprise of … etchings, drawings, and smoke drawings in carbon soot and stain drawings with charcoal. This body of work being presented is from drawn from the last 3 years of production. It includes large format etchings and embossings that explore notions of identity and presentation in our culture as well as role playing and its performative nature. These images are based on self observation and question expected notions of identity and the role models prescribed and imposed in our system. Also included are large format etchings that explore and rework stereotypes within religious and secular structures. Victor has recently started experimenting with a very delicate method of smoke drawing where drawings made with the smoke deposits from wax candles on paper. The results are fragile portraits in a vulnerable and transient medium of members of our society – missing children downloaded from numerous South African Police web sites and others posted of missing friends. Victor is interested in the increased fragility of the medium and its parallel to the fragility of human lives. She also interested in how character and portrait emerge out of the carbon stain of the candle smoke deposits. These drawings are intended to be a counterpoint to the more substantial figures drawn in charcoal and stain. Recurrent and persistent images that stain our national psyche through memories and habits that repeat and resurface. The consequent conversations between these images allude to a morality where the sins of the father are visited upon the child thus eluding erasure. The ongoing “Disasters of Peace” series promises additional reflections within South Africa society and focus on issues on human interaction and contacts. *************************************************** February 2006 Kick off the year with some eye-candy by visiting an art exhibition now why don’t you? And what about choosing one of our successful young artists that is making waves abroad? SUPPORT SA TALENT and get down to the Goodman. Now living and working in London and Trinidad, one of South Africa’s internationally acclaimed artists, Lisa Brice, will have first solo show here at the Goodman Gallery since 2000. “Night Vision” is a new series of paintings and drawings which opens on Saturday 21st January 2006 at midday. Brice, known for her iconographic installations on the...

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