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News Bytes
- New Email Address:
Please Update Your Contact Details
- Bag Factory Welcomes Education Officer For
Arts Education Programme
- Residents Presentation At The Bag
- Bongi Bengu,
Roles / Robes @ Fried Contemporary
- Sam Nhlengethwa at Art on Paper Gallery
- Bag
Factory and Sasol Awards
- Johannes Phokela at Johannesburg Art Gallery
- Art Bank Johannesburg
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Opportunities
- ICEBOX 02
- Animation Production Training Initiative (APTI)
- Public Sculpture: AVA Gallery
- Opening at Pocko People
- Night Of A Thousand Drawings
- absolutearts.com, Calling for applications
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August 2006
For
those who haven't heard, the Trans Cape project, which was set to open on
the 23 of September this year, has been postponed till March next year. According
to the press release, delays in funding from key stake holders prompted
the organisers to reschedule the event in order to secure the proper
delivery of the exhibition.
However, for many artists who planned to participate in the fringe show,
X-Cape, it is too late to change the dates of their shows and there will
still probably be a number of small contemporary shows opening in Cape Town in the
last two weeks of September and early October.
We have yet to see the impact of these satellite shows, how many will
still go ahead and what publicity, if any, the Cape Africa Platform will
still offer these artists. Participants in the fringe were not offered
any funding but simply the opportunity to have their exhibitions
publicised as part of the larger event.
I find it interesting that artists were only incited to organise a series
of small exhibitions by the promise of publicity by a larger and more
prominent event. If one can find the funding for the physical components
of an exhibition, publicity is not a major cost - particularly in the age
of digital media where email invitations and websites play a greater role
than printed invitation cards and posters.
With these thoughts in mind, I would like to examine a number of artists
and practitioners who are currently involved in promoting contemporary
art through less expensive or alternative means.
Exhibition spaces (or project rooms as they are sometimes called) set up
in unlikely venues and opened at very specific times or by appointment
only, manage to pull a small crowd through email invitation and word of
mouth.
Abrie Fourie's Outlet gallery is situated in a converted projection booth
above a large hall on the
northern corner of the arts campus of Tshwane University of Technology.
The space is extremely small and for those who expect a gallery to be a
well lit white cube, it is a difficult space with which to work. However,
because of its dimensions, the space encourages artists to play with very
site specific installations of their work and this has led to a number of
very interesting projects. Outlet demonstrates that just takes some
imagination to convert a space into a gallery.
Simon Gush, emerging artist and logistical co-ordinator, recently opened
the Parking Gallery in a storeroom in the basement parking lot of a
building in down town Johannesburg.
Here he has been profiling emerging artists and slightly more
experimental works. He informs people of the events at his gallery via
his website http://www.parking-gallery.net
and through email invitations.
In Cape Town
The Bin and …what if the world are two spaces with an
emphasis on affordability. Both have had several shows where the average
price of the work is R300. Whilst this may not be a get rich scheme for
the artists, it does tend to lead to greater sales which in turn enhances
the artists' profile on the walls and in the homes and offices a younger
group of collectors.
blank projects, also in Cape
Town, defines itself as a project space and is
quite happy to profile experimental work or work in progress. It is only
open 6pm - 9pm on Wednesdays and therefore cuts down on the overheads
that a gallery which is open 5 or 6 days a week might incur. All three of
these venues attempt to pull in a larger and more diverse art audience by
appealing to the design and architecture industry as well as the usual
gallery attendees.
If one does not have access to a physical space, there is always the
internet. Apart from a variety of online galleries where one can host
one's work for free or for a minimal fee, (http://www.portfoliocity.com/;
http://www.absolutearts.com;
http://www.art.co.za/;
http://www.deviantart.com)
many artists host their own websites which feature blogs. Here they
update the world on not only their own work, but other artists and
general art happenings. (http://nathanielstern.com; http://kaganof.com)
With the take off of blogging in recent years, it is now possible to
create an online community without even spending a cent on hosting. http://www.livejournal.com
and http://www.blogger.com
being two such sites which offer this facility.
http://www.artheat.blogspot.com,
a site originating in Cape Town is one such blog which has created, for
the local scene at least, a space to argue, debate and discuss current
contemporary happenings and rumours under the heading 'gossip, art,
truth'.
Also in the business of promoting emerging young artists is the website
SA Arts Emerging http://saartsemerging.org
The site, who's tag line is No Pretence at Objectivity, was started by
Nathaniel Stern, Simon Gush and Bronwyn Lace in response to their
feelings that the art press in South Africa has certain biases which
result in many emerging artists not being profiled. On the website they
state, 'preference is not only given to Gauteng locals and friends, but also
to early-career non-stars working conceptually, and across disciplines.'
Despite this, they do accept submissions from artists/writers outside of
their locality and from practitioners who are complete strangers. See
their website for submission details. http://saartsemerging.org/submit-work
These are just some of the ways in which contemporary arts practitioners
are aiming to profile work by emerging artists.
It takes some ingenuity,
a lot of energy
but not much money.
Rat Western
Newsletter editor
rat@bagfactoryart.org.za.
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News Bytes
New Email Address: Please Update Your Contact Details
Due to some technical problems that went uncorrected for far too long on the
part of our internet hosting provider we have decided to switch our web
and email hosting to a different company. This means that we are phasing
out the use of our email address bagfactory@acenet.co.za and would like
you to take note of our new address for general emailing purposes: info@bagfactoryart.org.za
We have also set up an address especially for our residency programme
which is vap@bagfactory.org.za
Bag Factory Welcomes Education Officer For Arts Education Programme
The Bag Factory welcomes Bronwyn Lace who will be acting as education
officer. She will be co-coordinating our new Arts education programme -
About Art. The project aims to enhance the skills of practicing artists
through technical, business and marketing training. More information to
follow.
Residents' Presentation At The Bag
On 8 August, our current resident artists presented some of their more
recent work. Although they hail from very different places, Arash Hanaei
(Iran) and Zach
Taljaard (South Africa
- Grahamstown), explore similar themes in their work. One of the more
interesting parallels is their mutual interest in dolls.
Taljaard is a sculptor who creates his own delicately casted, doll-like
figures in cement and resin. He uses these figures - combined with
carefully selected found objects - to examine notions of innocence,
childhood and masculinity. Hanaei uses pre-made dolls, like Cupie doll
and American action figures similar to GI Joe, to demonstrate the
fragility of the human form (he sets them on fire) but also to explore
national identity and masculinity.
Hanaei's work is strongly influenced by the military and current events
in the Middle East and the world
reaction to terrorism. He recreates scenes of destruction and press
photographs with his dolls which he then photographs. The recognizable,
widely-publicized images from Iraq recreated with action
figures are ironic and amusing whilst touching on the macabre. Hanaei's
makes good use of humor and satire to speak about popular perceptions.
Taljaard has also recently made work focusing on the military and war.
His exhibition at the Grahamstown Arts Festival this year was displayed
in an old fort. For this installation, he exhibited works that borrowed
from classical Greek sculpture as well as popular culture. His work The
Kiss presents the viewer with two figures tentatively poised about to
embrace, a beautiful and slightly feminine man in classic Greek style and
a muscle bound figure reminiscent of a super hero. The two will be
working together on a workshop at Market Theatre Photography Workshop. We
look forward to the results of the collaborations this unlikely pair will
produce during their stay.
Bongi Bengu Roles / Robes @ Fried Contemporary
Bongi Bengu has sited her recent workshop experiences (last year's
international artists' workshop at Chaminuka Game Reserve in Zambia and
the landscape workshop in Ngong forest just outside Nairobi in Kenya in
March this year) as influences for her work on show at Fried
Contemporary.
The group exhibition entitled Roles/Robes features works in various media
- paintings, etching, collage, sculpture, installation and digital -
who's common theme examines 'the identity roles that South Africans have
played and continue to play, and the 'robes' that have been and are worn
at different times and places -- whether real, imagined or virtual.'
Other exhibitors include Carine Zaayman, Diane Victor, Frikkie Eksteen,
Kudzanai Chiurai, Leora Farber, Nathaniel Stern, Penny Siopis, Senzeni
Marasela, Wendy Morris, Wilma Cruise and Adele Oldfield. The exhibition
opened on July 15 and closed August 5.
Sam Nhlengethwa at Art on Paper Gallery
Sam Nhlengethwa's print installation 'Black Goats' is currently on
display at Art on Paper. This work, which seems to depart from his
hallmark collage-based approach, is exhibited along side by Clifford
Charles and Johann Louw who each explore different themes. Charles presents
drawings and drypoints, while Louw shows drawings, etchings and
lithographs. The exhibition opened: August 5 and closes: August 24
Bag Factory and Sasol Awards
Bag Factory newsletter editor, Rat Western and recently
appointed arts education officer, Bronwyn Lace, were both recipients of
awards at this year’s Sasol New Signature Competition. Lace received a Certificate
of Acknowledgement Award whilst Western received the joint Runner
Up Award with Gina Kraft.
The winning works were selected from 114 final entries
forming part of the 2006 Sasol New Signatures Exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum. The show runs until 1 October 2006.
The Sasol Wax Art Awards opens on the 29 August at the
Sasol Basement Gallery in Rosebank.
Bag Factory Artists, Andrew Tshabangu and Kagiso Pat Mautloa are
both finalists in this competition which celebrates innovation and excellence
in the visual arts by recognising professional
career artists. The over all
winner will be announced on the opening night.
Johannes Phokela at Johannesburg
Art Gallery
Johannes Phokela: Translation is currently on show at Johannesburg Art
Gallery. The show
is Phokela's first major show in South
Africa since leaving the country for London 20 years
ago. He is exhibiting his new and recent works in memory of his former
mentor and teacher, Durant Sihlali who passed away in 2004.
The exhibition, which features 18 of his artworks, will run until 1
October.
Read more in an interview with Phokela http://www.joburg.org.za/2006/july/jul28_phokela.stm
Art Bank Johannesburg
There have been mixed feelings in the local art community about the
recent establishment of the Art Bank of Johannesburg
an initiative set up by the City of Johannesburg.
Whilst some see this as a fantastic opportunity to have their work
profiled in a major collection, others feel that a body which rents out
contemporary works by local artists to a variety of corporate offices
will dilute the power of already established corporate collections and
will discourage other such corporations from establishing there own
private collections if they can simply rent the art for a period.
Still others feel that the funding might have been better spent on a
diverse range of projects.
Love it or hate it though, the Art Bank is in full swing having already
acquired a number of works and appointing widely respected artist,
Antoinette Murdoch, to the position of Chief Executive Officer.
If you would like to find out more about the Art Bank please visit their
website http://www.artbankjoburg.co.za
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Opportunities
ICEBOX 02
Liquid Fridge, partnered with MTKidu and rustpunk, and endorsed by
Creative Commons South Africa, presents ICEBOX 02 - an open,
collaborative festival exploring the intersection of film, art, music and
design in South African moving image. The festival will facilitate
creative collisions of genres and artists in Cape
Town, Durban and Johannesburg in
November 2006 through screenings, audiovisual club nights and mini-workshops.
ICEBOX is calling for moving image work by both established and emerging
South African artists, in the genres of Design/Experimental, Documentary,
Music Video, Narrative, and VJ/Live. Entries must be submitted in digital
format but may incorporate any non-digital means - 16mm, DV, claymation,
stop-frame animation - anything goes. Innovation is the main criterion,
whether through creative use of technology or a storyline with a twist.
While entries under traditional copyright are equally welcome, ICEBOX
supports the use of the more flexible Creative Commons licences, which
protect artistic works while encouraging certain uses of them. Works in
the Public Domain, where no rights are reserved, may also be entered.
Entries selected for the festival will be promoted on the Liquid Fridge
website and a festival DVD, and other opportunities will be pursued at
artists' request. Works and source material made available under a
Creative Commons licence or in the Public Domain will also be distributed
free of charge around the country through Freedom Toaster - taking open
content to the masses. Entry is free, and multiple works may be
submitted. The closing date is Friday, August 18.
Please visit http://liquidfridge.co.za/icebox
for more information, a submission form, or to enter online.
Media contact:
Hein Bekker (Organiser)
Email: hein [at] liquidfridge.co.za
Phone: +27 (0)82 508 2922
Animation Production Training Initiative (APTI)
The APTI and its partners are now calling for interested artists, recent
fine arts, graphic design and animation graduates to apply for the 2nd
Annual APTI Internship 3D Animation Programme. This is a rigorous
internship programme, which offers real time on-the-job training.
To apply please send:
- A CV
- A letter of motivation
- A statement of availability to participate in development workshops and
a commitment to work toward deadlines.
- Application form
- Portfolio - to see level of artistic and drawing skills. Portfolio
should consist of:
o At least 2 figure studies, one should show capability with feet and
hands
o Minimum of 2 facial expression studies
o At least 2 animal studies
o Three drawings of original characters (cartoon, comic or any other style)
o Any cartoon or caricature drawings
o At least 2 drawings using perspective. (Landscape or cityscape)
o Any other personal art, animation or design work.
ALL WORK IN PORTFOLIO MUST BE ORIGINAL - NO COPIES OF EXISTING CHARACTERS
OR TOUCHED UP PHOTOS MAY BE INCLUDED
- Knowledge and samples of work done in any 3D software package.
Samples should include:
o Model, lit & textured of at least 1 artificial environment and 1
natural environment.
o At least 2 characters, modelled, lit and textured.
o One facial animation in 3D - head only.
o Any other 3D animations or models.
o Any knowledge, training or experience in the following is an advantage:
film or video making, lighting, film or video editing, photography, still
cartooning, illustration, drama and acting, fine art, graphic design and
set design.
All of the above must be typed and no handwritten submissions will be
accepted.
If selected, the trainee's will be offered a contract position and
receive a monthly stipend.
Animation trainees will work with local and international animation
experts and will learn a variety of specialist technical fields within
animation production.
Please submit your portfolio and documentation to:
Anamazing Workshop
PO Box 413774
Craighall
2024
Or you can physically drop-off your application at:
The Videolab Building
Corner of Eileen and Geneva Roads
Blairgowrie
For any queries contact: info@anamazing.co.za
Deadline for submissions: 1st September 2006
Public Sculpture: AVA Gallery
The J.K. Gross Trust (JKGT), Spier and the Association For Visual Arts
(AVA) invite the submission of maquettes for the execution and
installation of a public sculpture on the patio of the AVA Gallery, 35
Church Street, Cape Town. Application forms, site maps and more
information about the competition can be found at http://www.ava.co.za
All submitted maquettes will be exhibited at AVA from August 22 to
September 1, 2006.
Deadline for submissions: August 18.
Opening at Pocko People
http://www.pocko.com
BRIGHT, YOUNG, CONFIDENT AND ENTUHSIASTIC INDIVIDUAL REQUIRED
for Junior Agent position in top contemporary artists' agency based in
Clerkenwell, London
The job entails generating new business, organising/participating in
client presentations, developing new and exciting ideas of marketing the
agency, and sourcing/researching new clients and brands.
A passion and interest in contemporary illustration and design is a
mustas is energy, and adaptability. This is a rare opportunity to work
for an exciting and innovative company representing a roster of top
artists working within the fields of illustration, animation, design and
art direction.
Position can be part-time or full and salary is based on % commission on
monthly sales turnover.
Please email CV and covering letter to info@pocko.com
NIGHT OF A THOUSAND DRAWINGS
Paballo is an organization that feed and provides basic medical attention
to over 300 homeless people in the city of Johannesburg every Wednesday night.
They have decided to host an exhibition to raise funds for a new bakkie
which is desperately needed to lighten the load of their work.
The exhibition is entitled NIGHT OF A THOUSAND DRAWINGS and is modeled
after a similar event which was held in New York.
If you would like to help, please donate a drawing which will be sold for
R100 on the night. There are no restrictions regarding subject matter or
medium but the images must be A5 in Size. Please date and sign your
drawings.
Contact 082 600 0011 for more information about submitting your drawings.
Deadline: October
absolutearts.com,
Calling for applications
The internet arts website, absolutearts.com is accepting applications for
the Premiere Portfolio - an online sales/marketing tool for artists
around the world. The Premiere Portfolio aids an elite group of artists
in promoting their work via the Internet. Work will be exposed to
millions of visitors on the wwar.comand absolutearts.comwebsites and a
newsletter.
Entry fee is US$25 and yearly membership is US$75, to promote artists
work online. Interested artists can apply at: http://www.absolutearts.com/premiereportfolio/premiere_portfolio.html.
Requirements are 4 images, a bio and an artist statement. Artists who are
not selected receive a regular portfolio for 6 months. (US$18 at regular
price).Deadline for entries is September 15, 2006 . For further enquires
contact Jodi Melfi at callforentries@absolutearts.com
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