Artist: Dineo Seshee Bopape

Hayward Project Space

Exhibit: 'Slow-Co-Ruption'

Location: The

After visiting the Tate Modern and The Hayward Project Space I felt inspired by
the South African artist, Dineo Seshee Bopape's work displayed in South Bank
named 'Slow-Co-Ruption'. The solo exhibit consisted of sculptural illustrations,
VHS and fragmented audio. Each element works together to enable you to
walk into the world of the artist and her views on life. In the exhibition Bopape
uses found objects to explore and develop her VHS tapes, creating some
reality to her videos that also uses everyday objects.
Entering the exhibit a formation of spy cameras and surveillance screens were
visible around the instillation which I felt formed a dark political agenda,
symbolising a sense of corruption as I felt I was trapped and watched. This is
then supported by Bopape's graphical videos that show montages of everyday
objects combined with small video's of Bobape herself, presented in the
style of a kaleidoscope that comes across distorted. This also gives the
impression that Bopape wants us to believe the video is damaged, like her
issues she is possibly trying to portray. However, I feel Bopape's use of double
exposure's was to emphasise the combination of issues she is trying to
provoke.
Audio was a large component throughout the exhibition and played a key role in
heightening the senses as you experienced the exhibit. Sounds of nature like
birds, waves ect. were stressed, yet I felt this a surprise as typically nature is
thought to be organic, soothing and pure. This then builds a psychedelic
atmosphere as your mind is going into overdrive because, there is so much
going on. Due to the fact there was so much going on within the exhibition I felt
curious as to what was the true meaning of the work therefore, resulting in my
own research. Throughout my findings I've come to the conclusion that Bopape
was trying to portray the affects of the political corruption in nature, herself
and the general life style now in South Africa.
One particular element that I loved about Bopape's exhibition was the large
element of bold colours considering such a harsh topic was being portrayed.
The pop art styled VHS added a light hearted theme throughout the work
which I feel could have symbolised a sense of hope adding a contrast to all the
negativity. This twist on the exhibit inspires my own practice as Bopape's work
encourages her audience to think deeper into the meaning and influence of her
own work. Therefore, I'd like to take this idea of a twist forward to create some
curiosity within my own practice.
Ultimately, I feel Bopape was trying to achieve awareness of the political
situation currently taking place in South Africa and its impact on the quality of
life. Bopape does this by displaying an abstract exhibit that uses the senses of
sound and sight enhancing the reality of the issues. Most of the time I feel
frustrated when going to exhibitions as I simply do not enjoy them due to the

Holly Freeman

contemporary nature, as I feel the majority are 'overly' abstract. However, I felt
Bopape's exhibition related to my own style therefore was highlighted as an
inspiration to mature my practice.

Holly Freeman