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News Bytes
Public Works return to Bag Factory
Bag Factory to host visiting Indian artists
Triangle Network Africa Meeting
Exhibitions
Schonfeldt's Model Men
Outsiders: Exhibition by Visiting Artists
Workshops, Outreach and Community Projects
Friday Sessions in Vrededorp
Drawing Workshops at The Bag Factory.
Bag Factory in Yeoville
New Spaces for Art at The Gem
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Artist News
Kebble Awards
From Barbados to Kliptown
Opportunities
Drill Hall Call for Proposals.
Thupelo Call for applications
Globalartinfo.com
La Friche la Belle de Mai
Mixed Bag
Call for Newsletter Submissions
Discussion Sessions
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August Newsletter
Welcome to the second issue of the Bag Factory newsletter which
provides a platform for communicating with South African artists and
other members of the Triangle Network . The newsletter also presents a
list of opportunities offered to artists in the Johannesburg community.
As with our trial edition of the newsletter, we continue to welcome
feedback that will help us to improve and make the newsletter more
relevant to our audience.
This month's newsletter focuses on the current urban context of the Bag
Factory.
Johannesburg is currently undergoing a variety of regeneration projects
in the inner city and the surrounding suburbs and this impacts not only
on the Bag Factory, but on art and its production in the city in general.
Some of these projects are geared toward the 2010 Soccer World Cup
(Greater Ellis Park which includes Bertrams; Doornfontein and parts of
Troyeville.) and as such are problematic as the regeneration is focused
on a specific event rather than long term sustainable programmes.
One of the greatest problems of the public art schemes that are happening
due to this regeneration is that whilst funding is made available for
public art initiatives, these funds are more specifically intended for
physical developments rather than on going workshop style ventures. Once
these public works have been installed funds are not retained for their
upkeep and maintenance and so they fall into disrepair and become as
potentially unsightly as the areas they were initially intended to
beautify.
As a relatively long standing organization the Bag Factory has developed
an extensive network, not only in Africa and abroad with the Triangle
Trust, but also in the city of Johannesburg. In this newsletter, we would
like to introduce some of the interesting players in our city who are
involved in projects that provide continuing platforms for the production;
presentation and critical discussion of art making.
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News Bytes
Public Works return to Bag Factory
Andreas Lang and Kathrin Böhm of Public Works, who visited the Bag
Factory in April, returned to continue their exploration of the Bag
Factory and its network (both its immediate environment and the Triangle
Network). Assisted by Ottilie Ventiroso and Taka Kikuchi, Lang and Böhm
spent a week observing and examining the environment and working ethos of
the Bag Factory.
This involved setting up a work station in the front entrance and
inviting passers by, as well as the artists and any visitors to the space
to engage in discussion about the Bag Factory, its physical space, and
its role in both its surrounding neighbourhood and the larger art
community.
On Monday, August 15, they presented their deductions and proposed
several projects to develop the Bag Factory space.
A communal environment that encourages a system of exchange is central to
the philosophy of the Bag Factory and each of the proposed additions and
alterations focus on enhancing this sense of community.
Plans to make the entrance space of the Bag Factory more inviting, a
mobile kitchen and a workshop programme involving local
artists/curators/etc. were just some of the ideas presented after much
discussion with those from the Bag Factory. Many concepts that we have
been mulling over for a while could be put into motion through these
designs.
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A simple plan of creating a courtyard type space with mini benches and a
deeper set glass entrance in addition to the current metal roller door
(retained for security at night) would produce an outdoor communal space
where artists could gather to get a breath of fresh air or some sun. It
would also allow more light and air to enter the Bag Factory, something
that is greatly needed as the physical structure at present creates
extremely cold conditions in winter and hot and stuffy conditions in
summer. This communal space would provide not only a potential discussion
area but it would also present a more welcoming frontage to the space for
visitors and the local neighbourhood.
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A mobile kitchen unit that could be used at events as well as on an
everyday basis was also proposed. The mobility of this unit would allow
it to be placed to optimum advantage to create a social space according
to the requirements of the occasion.
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A workshop style programme using local artists or art related persons -
entitled the IN-REACH programme - was suggested. This programme would run
for limited periods of time and invite a Johannesburg based person or
someone who would not ordinarily be able to join the residency programme.
This person would occupy a space at the Bag Factory for a short
designated period at the end of which they would present a
talk/publication/group discussion on their activities at the Bag Factory.
Because of the limited time this person would have to connect very
quickly with their surroundings and the workings of the Bag Factory and
therefore become very engaged.
Thank you to the Arts Council England who
were the original funders of this particular residency.
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Bag Factory to host visiting Indian artists.
On the 15 September the Bag Factory Artists have been invited to join
some of India’s leading artists who have been invited to
Johannesburg by the Consul General. The visiting artists will join the
Bag Factory for dinner and discussion. The Bag Factory welcomes the
opportunity to widen our network of international connections.
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Triangle Network Africa Meeting
On 5 August a meeting of Triangle Network Africa was held at Greatmore
studios in Cape Town. This meeting, sponsored by Ford Foundation, was
attended by representatives from Thapong Visual Arts Centre, Botswana;
Kuona Trust, Kenya; Tulipamwe (John Muafangejo Art Centre), Namibia; The
Bag Factory, Johannesburg and Greatmore St Studios, Cape Town. The
network now covers 32 Countries, although not all were represented at the
meeting.
Issues such as facilities, staffing, artists residencies, outreach and
education programmes, and current funding arrangements were discussed as
they pertain to each of the represented centres. The distribution of
funding from the Ford foundation that has become available to the
Triangle Network in Africa was also discussed.
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Exhibitions
Schonfeldt's Model Men
The Model Men, an exhibition by Joachim Schonfeldt, Ivan Vladislavic and
Andries Oliphant opened on Thursday 11 August 2005 at the Centre for
African Studies Gallery situated at University of Cape Town's Upper
Campus. The show incorporated 26 illustrations by Schönfeldt, which speak
about found and sourced objects, implements and ruins. Vladislavic, who
was invited to respond to the illustrations, does so in the form of his
latest book, The Exploded View. Writer and critic Andries Oliphant has
then taken selections from this 'collection of four longish short
stories' and linked them to the illustrations.
Schönfeldt also gave a lecture on 'The Model Men' at Michaelis School of
Fine Art, UCT on August 10. The lecture was well attended by students,
staff and the public.
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Outsiders
Outsiders a group show by visiting artists Vibha Galhotra from India, Ras
Ishi Butcher and Ras Akyem-I Akin-Yemi Ramsay from Barbados and the Public
Works group from London will open on the 7 September 2005, at 5:30 pm.
Viewing times are from 10am-3pm during the week and the exhibition will
run from Thursday 8 to Friday, 16 September.
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Workshops, Outreach and Community Projects
Friday Sessions in Vrededorp
Every second Friday Thorsten Deckler and Anne Graupner of 26'10 south
Architects hold information and exchange evenings at their offices in
Vrededorp. A diverse array of topics has been presented at these evening
sessions.A personal photographic exploration of Johannesburg by Lorenzo
Nassembeni, a documentary on Troyeville by Paulina Babska, a report back
by Robert Rich on his experiences at a workshop in Istanbul and most
recently a presentation by urban geographer, Ismail Farouk, presented his
research on the regeneration project in Yeoville.
The theme of these evening sessions is primarily architecture but more
importantly the emphasis is on exchange - presentation and discussion - and
all topics pertaining to the complexities of urban living are welcomed.
If you would like more information or would like to join the invitation
mailing list please contact Anne at a.graupner@bgaps.co.za
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Drawing Workshops at The Bag Factory.
Diane Hyslop has recently had great success with several drawing
workshops at the Bag Factory. These informal sessions of life drawing
have been open to anyone who wishes to come and draw and share in a
communal and critically engaging environment.
Those who attended commented on how such a simple atmosphere of group
creativity and exchange can really make one feel inspired. The Bag
Factory hopes to host more such workshops so that motivating group
discussion can become a regular stimulating feature of production.
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Bag
Factory in Yeoville
Harrow road that runs from lower Houghton to Doornfontein dividing the
areas of Berea and Yeoville is to be renamed for the anti-apartheid hero
Joe Slovo who lived for a time in Yeoville. To commemorate this event,
the Bag Factory artists have been offered the opportunity to run a
workshop with local artists with the aim of creating a mural. The
celebration of the renaming will occur on Heritage day 24 September 2005.
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New Spaces for Art at The Gem
The Gem Bioscope in Troyeville has been undergoing a transformation. The
cinema, which was closed in 1976 and has served many functions since, has
been given a breath of life by Guy Oliver and Ethel Williams-Abrahamse.
These two Troyevillites have been working to create a multi functional
space that will include a gallery, several function rooms and a cinema
that will screen African films that do not get a chance to be aired
commercially in large cinemas due to small budgets.
Oliver and Williams-Abrahamse have also recently restored an old
Victorian house across the road from The Gem in Roberts Avenue. The house
is defiantly named The Red Line, a comment on the fact that the area is
red-lined by banks and therefore buyers can not get loans to purchase or refurbish
houses in the area. Plans to house an arts café, a metal art and
photographic gallery and a crafts shop as well as a venue for craft
workshops in the space are in progress.
To read more about plans for this venue go to http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/jul/jul22_gem.stm
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Artist News
Kebble Awards
The 15 August was the deadline for the Third Kebble Art Awards. The
Kebble is South Africa's premier Art competition which features a variety
of contemporary visual art forms. Establish in 2003, it boasts a high
profile not only because of its large prize money but also as it attracts
so many entries especially from high profile artists with established careers
who do not ordinarily enter competitions.
The Kebble Awards is open to any South African national or any artist
living and working in South Africa who is over 21 years of age and as
such is inclusive of a wide range of arts practitioners. It also carries
no entry fee and provisions are made for artists who live in rural areas
and so therefore would otherwise struggle to have their work profiled.
Some of the Bag Factory artists have entered work for the Kebble this
year - among them Paul Emmanuel and Sam Nhlengethwa - we eagerly await
the results of the selectors choice to see who has been short listed to
appear on the show which will be in Cape Town in February 2006.
http://www.thekebble.co.za
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From Barbados to Kliptown
Visiting artists Ras Ishi Butcher and Ras Akyem-I Akin-Yemi Ramsay from
Barbados recently visited the township of Kliptown adjacent to Eldorado
Park and south of Soweto. Both were greatly moved by the experience and
were struck by the extreme poverty of the area - the dirt and dust and
the extremely cramped living conditions. Ramsay remarked that it is one
thing to be aware of such poverty in concept but the experience of it in
three dimensions - with all one's senses being accosted at once, choking
on the dust - was something quite different.
Butcher found it hard to express his feelings instead saying
it was a mind blowing experience...
I never saw anything like it before....
it needs a special response...I think I am still being shattered by
it....
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Opportunities
Drill Hall Call for Proposals.
The Joubert Park Project is issuing a call for project proposals from
arts practitioners for exhibitions, public interventions, events,
workshops and performances that make use of the unique Point Blank
gallery space at the Drill Hall, located in the heart of the inner city
of Johannesburg. The site provides a compelling and challenging human and
physical context in which to locate creative work.
The Point Blank gallery forms part of the Drill Hall precinct, one of
Johannesburg's newest multi-use heritage sites. The site was launched in
June 2004 and houses the Rand Light Infantry, the reserve force council,
the Joubert Park Project (JPP), the Community Chest and the Johannesburg
Child Welfare. The gallery space and the arts and heritage programme at
the Drill Hall is managed by the Joubert Park Project, a non-profit
collective of artists that has been involved in the origination and
activation of creative projects in the Inner City of Johannesburg since
2000. The vision for the Drill Hall precinct is that of a public cultural
laboratory, which brings history into lived experience and which provides
a platform for the critical and creative voices of the Inner City and
beyond. Our central aim is to create a space of multi-disciplinary
research, production, partnership, exchange and encounter, from which to
explore the histories, potentials and challenges of the contemporary
African city.
Contact the JPP @ jppap@worldonline.co.za
or call 011- 3331112.
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Thupelo Call for applications
Applications for the Thupelo Workshop are now open to artists working in
all media. The workshop will run from the 2nd to the 17th December 2005
and culminate in an open day. The workshop is an initiative by artists
for artists bringing together both international and local artists for
two weeks of exchange at the Arts & Media Access Centre, Cape Town.
Send your application to:
artmore@mweb.co.za or
The Thupelo Cape Town Selection Committee
PO Box 250
Woodstock
Cape Town
7915
For further information contact André Barnard
tel (021) 447 9699 or fax 086 670 780 or
visit www.greatmoreart.org
Deadline: 30th September 2005
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La Friche la Belle de Mai, Marseille, is the base for Triangle Arts Trust
in France as well as numerous other arts activities. Triangle France's
residency programme offers large studio spaces to three artists for three
months, ending each residency with a short exhibition.
Deadline for applications: ongoing
For more information: www.lafriche.org/triangle
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Mixed Bag
Call for Newsletter Submissions
The Bag Factory would like to report on any opportunities that will
benefit the community of artists that reside in the Johannesburg area.
Please forward any relevant materials to Rat Western at the Bag Factory
at rat@bagfactoryart.org.za
Please note that there will be no compensation for submissions to the Bag
Factory newsletter.
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Discussion Sessions
The Bag Factory plans to launch a regular discussion session to examine
topics of interest in our community as they emerge. This idea arises out
of an informal discussion session that examined the regeneration process
in Newtown and its relation to the Bag Factory.
We plan to host our first discussion session on the topic of public art
shortly (details will be announced at a later date). We welcome any
suggestions for topics of these discussions and plan to invite guests
relative to each topic to inform the discussion.
If you have a topic that you would like to discuss/debate/bring attention
to please send an email detailing your proposal to rat@bagfactoryart.org.za.
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