Experimental project space opens in downtown Jozi
GoetheonMain is opening tonight as part of the Arts on Main development in downtown Johannesburg. The 273 m2 space is intended as a multi-disciplinary project room, tonight’s launch will feature Isicathamiya and Oswenka performances and a photo projection of Sabelo Mlangeni’s new body of work Men Only, which will be followed on 8 to 10 May by the Informal Architecture master class – an architecture workshop on the structures that fills the gaps left by city planning. Ismail Farouk’s Trolley Works, the first of eight projects chosen by an independent jury, will open on 29 April. Opening Night: Mai Mai goes Main Isicathamiya and Oswenka Performances & Men Only – a photo projection of Sabelo Mlangeni’s new body of work on the George Goch hostel When: 8 May, 6 pm Where: GoetheonMain, Arts on Main, 245 Main Street (Closest corner Berea Street), City & Suburban, Johannesburg. From May onwards GoetheonMain will host eight projects selected from the open call for proposals that was launched in early March. The process will be repeated later in the year and is set to run twice a year. The distinguished jury consisting of Paul Grootboom, Sibongile Khumalo, Melissa Mboweni, Simon Njami and Hans-Georg Knopp met to decide the projects to be realised at GoetheonMain this year. The chosen proposals are reflective of the multi-disciplinary nature of GoetheonMain and the urban space that surrounds it. Art outreach project Sutherland Reflections; city intervention Trolley Works; a music and dance performance entitled Trespassing Permitted; visual art exhibition dedicated to Women’s day; Rhythm Tap. Multimedia Dance Project; a performance piece Fragile and Selogilwe; interdisciplinary presentation Merry Christmas Minister!; as well as Red Arts photography presentation and literature workshops, found the judges’ favour. With GoetheonMain, the Goethe-Institut engages with issues central to metropolises all over the world, and in particular Johannesburg. Through an engagement with the arts, urbanity is looked at: the hybridity, frenetic energy and constant transformation that make up our cities. Informal Architecture Master Class When: 9 & 10 May Despite the UN-Habitat’s call for “cities without slums” pronounced in 1999, the number of informal settlements has drastically increased. Similar ambitions are expressed closer to home: In South Africa housing lists dating back to 1998 demonstrate that formal approaches to housing delivery are not effective enough. The informal city fills the gaps left by what the formal city does not and cannot provide. Yet it is largely condemned and outlawed – its potential hidden. 26’10 south Architects has, in partnership with the Goethe-Institut, embarked on a research project to gather information in the form of mappings and drawings which capture the spatial and functional qualities of...
‘BACK TO THE CITY’ Street Festival
Freedom day is on Sunday – we hope everyone is celebrating this special day, remembering our past, celebrating our vibrant present but also looking to the very promising future of South Africa. The second annual Street Festival is taking place in Newtown, so get amongst! On the morning of the 27th of April, a wave of urban youth will stream into downtown Newtown for the popular, annual Back to the City festival. Disciples and converts of the hip-hop movement will celebrate the art and urban culture through a day of live performances, street art, extreme sports and exhibitions. The one-day event was launched with critical acclaim from the hip-hop media and masses last year, winning accolades such as Hype magazine’s event of the year. The second edition promises more historic performances, boasting a Fiery line up of 22 mc’s, 10 dj’s, 8 graffiti crews and thousands of young people celebrating the birth of South Africa’s democracy. Cutting edge performers from various parts of the country will deliver hot commentary and entertainment in diverse indigenous languages while artists will be expressing their freedom in colours. This event will take place outside RITUAL STORES at corner Bree and Henry Nxumalo streets in Newtown. Aside from being entertained, audiences will get to attend an educational summit, which will be held at City Varsity. Hosted by the British Council, the workshops offer an exchange of knowledge. Individuals working in the mass media industry will cover topics such as publishing, distribution, recording, music videos, and independent vs. mainstream, entrepreneurship and advertising. Performances by: Zuluboy, Mo Molemi, Driemanskap, Prokid, Ben Sharpa, Fifi, Cuba, Hymphatic Thabs, Substance, The Scavengers, Koldproduk, Reason, Mawetu, The Anvilz, Damola, Bianca Williams, Abantu, The Federation, Zeus, DJ’s Kenzhero, KGB, Blaq T, Raiko, Soosh, Medicine, Graffiti Crews: PCP – MSE – SEC – FUK – IAP – TK – DS – UN ENTRANCE: FREE DATE: 27 April 2008, Freedom Day TIME: 10:00 – 23:00 PLACE: Ritual Stores Cnr Bree & Henry Nxumalo Street...
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