Professional Documents
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SA Art Times November 08
SA Art Times November 08
SA Art Times November 08
ART TIMES
November 2008 • Issue 11 Vol 3 • Subscription RSA 180 p.a • November Print & Distrib. 7 000 copies • Full online version available at www.arttimes.co.za
Joburg Art
Fair ‘09
- a more
modest affair
Artlogic have cut back spending and fallen back
on sponsors, writes Mary Corrigall
The Joburg Art Fair will run in 2009, financially viable. Artlogic wanted
confirmed Ross Douglas, the fair’s to kick the first art fair off with a
director and head of Artlogic, at a bang but they were perhaps too ex-
press briefing in Johannesburg last travagant, financing events around
week. Joburg, observed Douglas.
“We did a launch party at the
This wasn’t unexpected news given old JSE (Johannesburg Stock
the accumulative R27-million sales Exchange) and discussion ses-
garnered during its first three day sions at the Alexandra Theatre in
run at the Sandton Convention Braamfontein. We wanted to create
Centre in March this year. However, a week-long event around the city.
while all the galleries did a roaring This year the focus is on creating
trade, Artlogic incurred a R1-million attractions at the fair to keep
loss. Keen to turn the Joburg Art people there.”
Fair (JAF) into a sustainable event Artlogic have somewhat scaled
Artlogic, therefore, has been forced back all the attractions for the 2009
to make a few alterations to the art fair. Instead of forking out a for-
2009 rendition. tune for a world-renowned curator
It was expected that the fair would such as Simon Njami, who curated
grow in size, attracting more galler- this year’s curated exhibition, the
ies for its second run but only two curated show for the 2009 art fair
more galleries will be participating, will be in the hands of a lesser-
bringing the total to 24. Douglas known but established international
implied that there was only a limited talent, Tumelo Mosaka, who cur-
amount of reputable galleries in the rently holds a position as assistant
country that could size up to the curator at the Brooklyn Museum,
ethos of the fair. New York.
“There are a number of ways we Instead of staging events around
could make it sustainable; we could Joburg, the 2009 fair will present
have opened the doors to other gal- talks at the fair by participating
leries and expanded the exhibition galleries and two international
but we really only wanted quality speakers supported by the Goethe
galleries. So to make ourselves Institut and WISER. The featured
more sustainable we have had artist of the 2009 fair will be Jane
to look to sponsors,” commented Alexander, whose installation,
Douglas. Security, which was originally com-
First National Bank (FNB) will missioned for the 27th São Paulo
once again sponsor the event, and Biennale, will be on view for South
Douglas hinted that a partnership African audiences for the first time.
with BMW might also be in the
Ross Douglas, director of Art Logic , has scaled back spending for the 2009 Joburg Art Fair, although it is expected that the fair would grow in size, offing. Despite this backing Artlogic •The 2nd Annual Joburg Art Fair
Douglas implied that there was only a limited amount of reputable galleries in the country that could size up to the ethos of the fair. have decided to tighten the purse is scheduled to run from
Photograph is of Ross Douglas at the opening of the Joburg Art Fair 08 earlier this year. Photo: John Hodgkiss strings to make the 2nd fair more April 3- 5 2009
JOHANS BORMAN
BMW - Marx settlement FINE ART GALLERY
Alexis Preller’s, “New Eden”
Patrick Burnett
CAPE TOWN
R 43 M for latest Gerhard Marx, the artist who
reached an out-of-court settle-
Before the settlement and at the
time of the auction in September,
Speaking about the arts in general,
he said he felt “strongly” that
Swelco auction ment with BMW South Africa after
he took the company to court
Marx looked set for a drawn out
– and expensive – legal battle.
artists had a right to a private
language, meaning that it became
reflects stability in over copyright infringement, has
praised the support he recevied
The event to raise money for his
legal fees was billed as the David
difficult when this was “suddenly
thrown into the public sphere”.
SA art - for now from the artistic community as
“phenomenal”.
and Goliath auction and took place
at The Bag Factory in Johannes- The Bag Factory education officer
burg. It raised R450,000 through Bronwyn Lace said there was a
However, the details of the settle- the auction of donated works of “significant amount” that would
A second highest Swelco record ment have remained tightly under art, some from the likes of William remain in the David and Goliath
of decorative and fine art auction wraps according to the terms of Kentridge. fund for future situations involv-
sale was set in excess of R 43 the agreement, with both Marx ing copyright and for education
Million by Swelco - Stephan Weltz and BMW South Africa refusing Contacted by South African Art programmes on copyright and
& Co in association with Sothebys, to comment. Marx was claiming Times, Marx was clearly relieved plaguarism. “The most positive
Cape Town in it’s two day auction R1,5-million in damages from the case was over, but unable thing (to come out of the Marx
last week. Paintings alone yielded BMW South Africa over the use to comment on the details of the case) has been the David and
close on R39 million, accounting of an illustration technique that he agreement. “That was mindblow- Goliath initiative and also that this
for 85% of the sale total. Despite developed in a 2006 advertising ing,” he said about the auction (copyright
negative financial indicators, these campaign. The case was set down held to raise funds infringement) is a serious issue in
results indicate that the art market for court on October 9, but the out- for his legal fees. “There was basi- the art world and needs to be
in South Africa is maintaining a of-court settlement was reached cally two weeks to do it in. It was raised.” Irma Stern ‘Still life with African sculptures’ - 1938
stability. 19 new artist’s records before the court date. phenomenal generosity on behalf
were achieved including R1 of everyone.” He praised the David She said when copyright infringe-
680 000 for an Alexis Preller, And even though the art world has and Goliath auction for support- ment took place artists and galler-
A showcase for the best of
“New Eden”, sold for five times interpreted the settlement as a ing him as an individual and the ies often did not follow up because South African Masters,
its pre-sale estimate. Pierneef victory for artists, BMW spokesper- “unprecedented” support from they knew they would be unable to
“Naderende Storm in die Bosveld” son Benedict Maaga said, contrary his gallery, the Warren Siebrits compete with the legal fees that
as well as some leading
sold for R 3 136 000 The Stern to reports that the company had Gallery. came with taking large companies contemporary artists.
market held strong: a record of apologised to the artist, no apology to court.
R3 584 000 was achieved for had been issued “as there was “Without that kind of financial sup- However, the damage done to art- Telephone: 021 423 6075
a series of 14 works on paper no need to do so”. He said the port you really don’t have a ists could be extensive if the
depicting scenes on the French matter had been settled “amicably” footing to stand on,” he said. replicated work was of a poor qual- www.johansborman.co.za
Riviera, a portrait titled “Woman in on the basis that the settlement He said the David and Goliath fund ity as it gave the impression that
the Kitchen” fetched R4 480 000. agreement and its terms were kept would form a base to support the artist did not produce quality Mon-Fri: 10h00 - 18h00
Further artist’s records include confidential. artists in other copyright infringe- work. Sat: 09h00 - 14h00
Cecil Skotnes panel for R504 ment cases. or by appointment
000. The next Swelco auction will “Without breaching the contents of Lace said the out-of-court settle-
be held in Johannesburg on No- the settlement which we need to “I think for the artistic community, ment was a warning to corporates In Fin Art Building
vember 11 and 12 in Rosebank, abide by, it’s important to point out which is quite often seen as that if they were interested in using Upper Buitengracht Street, Cape Town 8001
Johannesburg with over 1,100 lots that we continue to be of the being individualistic, it was phe- artistic work in an advertisement Cell: 082 566 4631
of decorative art and fine art. For opinion that the advert did not nomenal to feel that kind of then it would be better for them to
viewing and auction details see infringe the artist’s copyright,” he support.” engage with the individual artist. E-mail: art@johansborman.co.za
www.swelco .co.za said.
Page 4 South African Art Times. November 2008
Peter van Straten’s work entitled: Sky Marriage from his upcoming show: The Silence and the Bell, curated by Mark Read at The Irma Stern Museum, Cape Town starting 18 November 08
SOUTH AFRICAN ART GALLERY SHOW LISTINGS FOR NOVEMBER
18 – 28 Nov, Magic Arts Show Second Floor, City Hall, Smith Street, T. 021 685 0676, from 10 years of collecting
Eastern Cape
Gallery MOMO
Until 04 Nov, Group Exhibition. Tel: +27 (0)12 358 3477, Durban, 031 3006238 www.davidkrutpublishing.com 2 Strand Road, Bellville
www.pretoriaartmuseum.co.za Tel. (021) 947 3359
06 Nov – 01 Dec, Life and Life’s
Agony, Dumisane Mmabaso & Kizo Erdmann Contemporary / www.sanlam.co.za
East London Manfred Zylla Fried Contemporary Art Gallery 18 Nov – 18 Dec, Meditating with Photographers Gallery
52 7th Avenue, Parktown North, 01 – 22 Nov, Imprinting the cradle, Shamans 2, Dinkies Sithole 05 Nov – 05 Dec, Uncle Six Fingers, Urban Contemporary Art
Ann Bryant Art Gallery Johannesburg T. 011 327 3247 Janina Pechova. Shop G350 Palm Boulevard Gateway Jan Neethling. 03 Nov – 05 Dec, Until 28 Nov. The Bijou burns again,
06 – 22 Nov, Dikeni turned treasures www.gallerymomo.com 25 – 26 Nov Studio exhibition & open Theatre of Shopping Umhlanga New Drawings, Johann Louw various artists
solo exhibition, Ashwin Ramhith day for classes. 29 Nov – 24 Jan 09 T. 031 566 4322 www.kizo.co.za 63 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town 46 Lower Main Road, Observatory,
9 St Marks Road, Southernwood, Goodman Gallery Paper + +, Pascual Tarazona, Lien T. 021 422 2762 Cape Town T. 021 447 4132,
East London T. 043 722 4044 Until 15 Nov, Willie Bester. Botha, Lindi Sales KZNSA Gallery www.erdmanncontemporary.co.za www.urbancontemporaryart.co.za
20 Nov – 12 Dec, Real Beauty, 430 Charles Str, Brooklyn, Pretoria Until 09 Nov, Studio Solo exhibition
Tel: 012 346 0158 – works by Cameron Platter. Until Everard Read Gallery - Cape Town What if the World…
Port Elizabeth Jodi Bieber
www.friedcontemporary.com 09 Nov, Sakhisizwe Project- The art 06 – 19 Nov, New Paintings, Zondi 05 – 29 Nov, How the troubles
163 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood,
Johannesburg, component of Lifeline Durban Prison Skosana. 20 Nov – 04 Dec, Shany started, Wilhelm Saayman & Lizza
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art
www.goodman-gallery.com Magpie Gallery Programme van den Berg / Wang Qingli - Littlewort
Museum
Until 06 Nov, Enough Said, Works 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, T. 031 A cultural exchange initiative including First floor, 208 Albert Road
09 Oct – 26 Nov, Africa Rifting/Blood-
GordArt Gallery by Kobus Walker, Anna Stone, Craig 2023686, www.kznsagallery.co.za individual and collaborative works Woodstock T. 021 448 1438
lines, Georgia PapaGeorge
Until 15 Nov, D.A.R.K S.A.D.E., Smith inspired by Van den Berg’s recent www.whatiftheworld.com
04 Oct – 26 Nov, Relationships,
Musha Neluheni’s first solo exhibition Shop 21B, Southdowns Shopping visit to China.
Comparing British and South African
Centre, Centurion T. 012 665 1832 Portswood Rd, V&A Waterfront Franschhoek
collections GordArt Project Room
Until 15 Nov, Lazy Eye – Group www.magpie.co.za Northern Cape
1 Park Drive, Port Elizabeth,
show curated by Michael Smith, Goodman Gallery, Cape Gallery Grande Provence
Tel. (041) 586 1030,
Nare Mokgotho, Willie Simon, Phillip Pretoria Art Museum Until 01 Nov, Clive van den Berg Until 13 Nov, Paintings by Hannes
www.artmuseum.co.za
Johnson, Tracy Edser, Anthea Moys, Tel:(012) 344 1807/8, Kimberly 08 – 29 Nov, New Paintings, Robert van Zyl and ceramics by Ralph
Marcel Waldeck and Karin Preller. art.museum@tshwane.gov.za Hodgins Johnson. 16 Nov – 09 Jan 09,
Until 15 Nov Before Moses, Louis PAM- South Gallery William Humphreys Art Gallery 3rd Floor, Fairweather House Angels, Group Exhibition.
Free State Fourie, Dawid Ras Sus and Daan, Until Dec 08, A story of South African Until 31 Dec, Lino-cut artists, Alan 176 Sir Lowry Road Woodstock, Main Road Franschoek
Look and Paint Art. A selection of artworks from the Grobler. Until 31 Dec, Photography, Cape Town T. 021 462 7573/4, T. 021 876 8600
72 Third Avenue Melville, permanent collection of the museum. Marlene Neumann www.goodmangallerycape.com www.grandeprovence.co.za
Includes works of early 20th century Civic Centre, Cullinan Crescent,
Bloemfontein Johannesburg T. 011 726 8519
painters. Resistance artists of the Kimberley, Tel. (053) 831 1724, Greatmore Studios
www.gordartgallery.com
1980s and artists of the 21st century www.museumsnc.co.za 14/11/08, In Celebration of 10 Years- Knysna
Oliewenhuis Art Museum
Johannesburg Art Gallery PAM-North Gallery Exhibition of donated artwork &
Until 13 Nov, Fractal Young artist The Dale Elliott Art Gallery
Until 01 Mar 09 Disturbance - An Until 21 Nov, Permanent Collection, A a raffle draw.
exhibition. 14 Nov – 04 Jan 09, Oyster Festival exhibition on Knysna
variety of artworks from the Museum’s Greatmore Street, Salt River.
Anthology: a mid-career retrospective, exhibition featuring Scandinavian and
South African Contemporary Art. permanent collection Western Cape and her surrounding areas
Lien Botha. 24 Nov – 07 Dec, Planet Woodmill Lane Shopping Centre,
04 Nov – 02 Feb 09, Artist at the PAM-Henry Preiss Hall Irma Stern Museum
Pixl, annual Student Exhibition Knysna, 6570 Tel: 044 3825 646
Nando’s Project Room # 3, Themba Until 24 Nov, Artists by Artists, From Until 06 Nov, Exhibition, Nichola Leigh
16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein
T. 051 447 9609 Shibase. R30 Nov – 30 Mar Retro- the Museum’s permanent collection Cape Town & Diamond Bozas. 19 Nov – 06 Dec, www.daleelliott.co.za
spective Exhibition -Thami Mnyele PAM-Albert Werth Hall The silence and the Bell- New Work
and Medu Until 30 Nov, CANSA Exhibition, 34 Long by Peter Van Straten Oudtshoorn
King George Street, Joubert Park, Sanna Swart, Lynette ten Krooden, On 26 Nov, 19h00, Double Bill: Two Cecil Road, Rosebank, Cape Town T.
Gauteng Johannesburg T. 011 725 3180 Loeritha Saayman, Philip Badenhorst, art auctions in one evening! 021 685 5686, www.irmastern.co.za Art Karoo
Marthinus Höll, Nola van der Merwe Viewing starts 04 Nov Until 21 Nov, Debut Solo,
Moja Modern and Guy du Toit 34 Long Street, Cape Town Iziko South African National Etienne Van Zyl
Until 08 Nov, I was so much older PAM-East Gallery T. 021 426 4594, www.34long.com Gallery 92 Barron van Rheede Street.
Johannesburg then, I’m younger than that now, Wits Until 02 Nov, For Sale Project Exhibi- Until 16 Nov, Journey on a tightrope, www.artkaroo.co.za
Student Art Exhibition tion, The Art Museum’s Education Alex Hamilton Art Studio Albert Adams. Until Jul 09, Scratches
Apartheid Museum www.mojamodern.co.za Assistants’ annual exhibition 05 – 29 Nov, CAST & CREW, Alex on the Face. Until 23 Nov
Until 31 Dec, Transitions, Hamilton. Woodstock Industrial Park Colouring American Photography Stellenbosch
Paul Emmanuel UNISA Art Gallery Stephen Shore. Until 15 Mar 09,
Obert Contemporary www.alexhamilton.co.za
Northern Parkway & Gold Reef Road 29 Nov – 16 Jan (closed 24 Dec – 04 Voices of the Ancestors Dorp Straat Gallery
at Melrosearch
Ormonde Ext. Jan 09), UNISA final Year Visual Arts Government Avenue, Company’s Until 28 Nov, New Works, Paintings
Until 12 Nov, Yellow Lines, Kudzi Art B Gallery
and Multimedia Students Exhibition Garden T. 021 467 4660, by Jenny Parsons, Drawings by Greg
Chiurai 04 – 26 Nov, UNISA group students’
Art Extra www.iziko.org.za Lourens, Sculptures by Stephen Rau-
exhibition
04 Nov – 13 Dec, Alice Art Gallery Hartbeespoort tenbach and Cermaics by Joy Savage
Rooke Gallery Library Centre, Carel van Aswegen
Solo Exhibition, Wim Botha 15 – 16 Nov, Susan Greyling exhibits João Ferreira Gallery 144 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch
Until 30 Nov, A Claude Glass’: a Street, Bellville T. 021 918 2301,
373 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannes- 110 Scottstraat, Schoemannsvlle, 26 Nov – 20 Dec, Naked, In As- T. 021 887 2256
photographic exhibition, Liam Lynch www.artb.co.za
burg T. 011 326 0034, www.aliceart.co.za sociation with Mica Curitz (at 80 Hout www.dorpstraatgalerie.co.za
37 Quinn Street Newtown
www.artextra.co.za Johannesburg, www.rookegallery.com Association for Visual Arts (AVA) Street Cape Town): Cathy Abraham &
Jenny Schneider. 05 – 29 Nov, Exhibi- Sasol Art Museum
Until 14 Nov, Ashes, Jost Kirsten.
Art on Paper tion of Paintings and Drawings Until 29 Nov, An Eloquent Picture
19 Oct – 08 Nov, Human
Standard Bank Gallery
Until Dec 06, Judith Mason
KwaZulu-Natal Until 14 Nov, Thicker Skin, Natasja de
Wet. Second Childhood Peter Clarke including Leon Vermeulen, Lauryn Gallery, Curated by Keith Dietrich
Contellations, Kim Lieberman. Arnott, Douglas Portway, Michael 52 Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch.
Retrospective Exhibition 17 Nov – 05 Dec, A woman needs
15 Nov – 06 Dec, Colin Richards Taylor. 08 Oct – 01 Nov, Lyrical 7600
Cnr. Simmonds & Frederick Streets, a man like a fish needs a bicycle,
44 Stanley Ave, Braamfontein Werf Johannesburg, 2001 Durban Eris Silke. 17 Nov – 05 Dec, 17 Nov abstracts Part 2 of Michael Pettit’s
(Milpark), Tel. (011) 726 2234 double exhibition University of Stellenbosch
Tel: 011 631-1889 – 05 Dec, Re-Turning Heroes, Paul
www.artonpaper.co.za Art Space - DBN Loop Street, Cape Town Art Gallery
www.standardbankgallery.co.za Birchall
Until 15 Nov, Loathing and Loving Until 15 Nov, Ceramics (solo), Ruan
35 Church Street, Cape Town,Tel.
Artspace - JHB and Giving, Ceramics and Mosa- Lindy van Niekerk Art Gallery Hoffmann
University of Johannesburg Arts (021) 424 7436, www.avaq.co.za
05 – 26 Nov, ics by Jane du Rand. Until 15 Nov, From 02 Nov, Carla Bosch solo cnr of Bird and Dorp Streets,
Centre Gallery
Jacob’s Ladder, Susan Woolf. Diminutive - A group exhibition of 33 Chantecler Avenue, Stellenbosch
Until 05 Nov, SASOL Wax Art Award Bell-Roberts Contemporary Art
142 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, Tel. (011) 559 2099/2556, University miniatures. 24 Nov – 17 Jan 09, 6th Gallery Eversdal,Durbanville,
T. 011 482 1258 Annual Affordable Art Show Tel. (021) 913 7204/5, SMAC Art Gallery
of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Until 28 Nov, Convoluted
www.artspace-jhb.co.za 3 Millar Road, Durban T. 031 312 www.artpro.co.za 27 Nov – 15 Jan 09, Retrospective
Kingsway campus cor Kingsway en Involvement, Pierre Fouché
0793, www.artspacedurban.co.za Exhibition, Fred Schimmel at 80
Universiteits Rd, Auckland Park 176 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock,
Worldart Michael Stevenson Contemporary De Wet Centre, Church Street,
www.bell-roberts.com
MATHABO. Until 15 Nov Bank Art Gallery Until 22 Nov, Double Edge & Fear of Stellenbosch T. 021 887 3607
Warren Siebrits Modern &
95 Commissioner Street 06 Nov – 06 Dec, Memento Mori , a Black Planet, Odili Donald Odita & www.smacgallery.com
Contemporary Art Blank Projects
Johannesburg T. 011 901 5045 Stefanus Rademeyer - Crystalline Bronwen Vaughan-Evans Anton Kannemeyer
www.worldart.co.za 217 Florida Road, Morningside, 27 Nov – 10 Jan 09, 13th Annual Stellenbosch Art Gallery
Variations. 6 November to 5 November - 28 November:
Durban T. 031 312 6911 Summer Exhibition - 10 projects Permanent exhibition of Conrad
10 December 2008 (opening Wednesday 5 November,
David Krut Art Resources www.bankgallery.co.za including Nicholas Hlobo, Deborah Theys, John Kramer, Gregoire
140 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, 18h00), Kaffers’ Paradys , Vusi
Until 10 Nov, Ryan Arenson. Poynton, Zanele Muholi & David Boonzaier, Adriaan Boshoff and other
Johannesburg, Tel. (011) 327 0000 Beauchamp & Eric Rantisi
15 Nov – 15 Dec Recent Editions, Durban Art Gallery Goldblatt, plus Andrew Putter, Paul artists.
www.warrensiebrits.co.za 198 Buitengracht Street, Bo-Kaap,
Bruce Backhouse Until 31 Jan 09, Construct: Beyond Edmunds and Daniel Naudé. 34 Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch
Cape Town,
142 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, the documentary Photograph, Ground Floor, Buchanan Building, T. 021-8878343
www.blankprojects.blogspot.com
Johannesburg T. 011 447 0627
Pretoria Curated by Heidi Erdmann and Jacob 160 Sir Lowry Road, Cape Town www.stellenboschartgallery.co.za
T. 021 462 1500
www.davidkrutpublishing.com Lebeko. Featuring Roger Ballen, Cape Gallery
Alette Wessels Kunskamer
Exhibition of Old Masters and
Zander Blom, Lien Botha, Jacques Until 15 Nov, Recent Oil Paintings, www.michaelstevenson.com Villiersdorp
Everard Read Gallery Jhb Coetzer, Abrie Fourie, Nomusa Ma- Peter Gray
selected leading contemporary artists. Salon91 Contemporary Art
06 – 30 Nov, Two un/related stories khubu, Zwelethu Mthethwa, Barbra 60 Church Street, Cape Town The Elliott’s Art Gallery
Maroelana Centre, Maroelana. Collection
- A collaboration between Zwelethu Wildenboer, Dale Yudelman, Bernie T. 021 423 5309, Exciting Winter exhibition of latest
GPS : S25º 46.748 EO28º 15.615 06 Nov – 02 Dec. Salon (1) - a meet-
Mthethwa and Louis Jansen van Searle. Until 15 Feb 09, Indian Ink, www.capegallery.co.za works by Dale and Mel Elliott.
Tel: +27 (0)12 346 0728 ing of like-minded people,
Vuuren Indian South Africans in the media: A 80 Main Rd, Villiersdorp, 6848, Tel:
Cell: 084 589 0711 Group Exhibition
6 Jellicoe Avenue, Rosebank, photographic history of propaganda David Krut Publishing: Fine Art and 028 840 2927, www.daleelliott.co.za
www.artwessels.co.za Kloof Street, Cape Town
Johannesburg T. 011 788 4805 and resistance. 20 Nov – 18 Jan 09 Books
www.everard.co.za Standard Bank Young Artist 2008: Until Nov 20, Drawings and Editions,
Centurion Art Gallery Sanlam Art Gallery
Lolo Veleko. 05-16 Nov Timbuktu Ryan Arenson
02 - 14 Nov, Watercolour Society, Until 16 Jan 09, Decade Highlights
Script & Scholarship. 31 Newlands Avenue, Cape Town
Tshwane Branch.
Around the Galleries
Dog II- 2008. Metal and mixed media assemblage by Willie Bester, J is for Jacob and Jesus by Anton Kannemeyer from his Fear of a Black Planet
showing at The Goodman Gallery Jhb until 15 November. showing at The Michael Stevenson Gallery, Cape Town until 22 November
Work by Wilhelm Saayman & Lizza Littlewort from their looked forward to
exhibition entitled: How the troubles started, showing at What if the world A work by Michael Pettit entitled: Night fall , oil on canvas shown at his
Gallery, Cape Town from 05 November Figurative paintings at AVA Gallery, Cape Town last month.
Geographic Dream | 2008 Wood, wax and pigment by Clive van den Berg A work by Stefanus Rademeyer from his show entitled: Crystalline Variations at
from his show last month at The Goodman Gallery CT The Warren Siebritz Gallery Jhb from 06 November 2008 to 10 December 2008
e
GREG KERR
DRAWING AND PAINTING
WORKSHOPS
Images from l-r, top to bottom. Storm Clouds Klein Karoo, Landscape, Warm Maanligaand - Rooikoppe,
Dorre Landskap, Namibia 2005, Stilllife-1949
Photo: Steve Kretzmann
Page 10 South African Art Times. November 2008
rangements, which agglomerated populations, I doubt that I would electricity box on the corner seems
mirror balls with wooden hearts and give much thought to its relevance. to accentuate the unfortunate
cabbages dunked in wax, until the But that might also be some kind revamp.
deputy minister of Arts and Culture, of reverse prejudice on my part
Ntombazana Botha, opened her because, at the same time, I’m South Africa’s slave history is one
mouth. It was all down hill from seen many cutting edge events in of sad, darkest horror. Unfortu-
there.) local galleries that would struggle nately, and to our shame, it has
But just as I was about to drown to find space in the United States been ignored for generations.
in a small flagon of post-modern arts world, where conservatism and Hundreds of Capetonians who
despair, I set out on the M1 South radicalism experience far greater merrily wandered up Parliament
to experience Paul Emmanuel’s – and often politically fueled – con- street to take their places in that
Alex Emsley
current exhibition, Transitions, at flict than they do in South Africa. institution, or, on Sundays, sat in
the Apartheid Museum. A continua- Galleries have many functions, and the front benches of the Groote
tion of Emmanuel’s lifelong engage- given the increasing lack of public Kerk, didn’t know or care about
ment with issues of masculinity, this space in this globalised world, they the Slave tree (still barely visible
exhibition is an exploration of ‘mo- THE ART represent, or are capable of repre- THE ARTFUL as marker in the middle of Spin
ART PIG ments of shifting white male identity senting, a replacement or substitute street).
and liminal spaces’. Simultaneously COWBOY for the town hall. Admittedly, it is VIEWER
humble and majestic, it entirely inevitably a somewhat rarified town At a symposium last month to
Alex Dodd restored my faith in art’s capacity hall but they nonetheless make mark the 200th anniversary of
to awaken and transform. And left
Peter Machen excellent venues for public forums. Melvyn Minnaar the Cape’s famous ‘Jij’ slave
One of the juicier cultural by- me with a desire to proselytize and This is partially because of their revolt, Iziko’s Jatti Bredenkamp
products to emerge out of Damien punt, to encourage every likeable For those who live in, or even highly formalised structures and in- rightly called the men under Louis,
Hirst’s recent $198-million Sothe- and deserving citizen of this mad near the edges, of the art world, it frastructures, and partially because Dead Memorial Abraham and Adonis the country’s
by’s auction was a crisp and catty republic to haul their asses down is easy to forget that the narra- the parameters of conversation first ‘freedom fighters’. Some were
debate between art critic Robert south for a dose of real profundity. tives of art history are absent from around art tend to be broader than executed for the rebellion.
Hughes and writer Germaine Greer. If it was evidence of hard labour most people’s reality. In the same anywhere else in the culture. If you Mid morning, on a sunny week day
When Hughes took a stand against that I was after, I found it there in way that only a small group of are talking about crime, as a group last month, Church square was Yet only in recent times have
Hirst, expressing the unpopular Emmanuel’s insanely dedicated people are particularly interested of us were, also at the KZNSA surprisingly empty and quiet. The South Africa’s bleak slave history
view that ‘art as spectacal loses drawing technique – the exhibi- in scientific paradigm shifts or non- a few Mondays ago, in a space recently refurbished centre-city seeped into general historical
meaning’, Greer went for the jugu- tion took the artist over four years contemporary cinema, most people where someone has publicly made public space offered an eerie knowledge. Coming to terms with
lar, claiming that Hirst’s work was to research and create. Not that are entirely unaware of the great chocolate moulds of their vulva, absence. Just a street away, the and memorialising it, is difficult
beyond Hughes’s analytical reach, personal effort is my sole criteria in confrontations that took place in art you’d imagine there’d be much buzz of business was continuing - as the new memorial is proving.
and that his criticism of Hirst’s ego- assessing the power of an artwork. in the twentieth century. And more scope for discussion. as usual, but here the only people The ‘boxes’ are simply dead and
maniacal Bond Street greed fest But when it is unavoidably, ir- specifically, they really don’t care. But while the speakers and top- present comprised two tourists dull - weighed down by an air of
was quite simply missing the point. revocably evident, it does somehow At the same time, however, art is ics were mostly fascinating, the and a young family of four. contrivance.
‘Hughes doesn’t understand a good make a difference. seen by many as something which audience was strangely muted.
deal of art – doesn’t get Basquiat or needs to be properly understood in Perhaps we’ve discussed crime for Church square is one our truly When that pretty old colonial ba-
Baselitz, for example,’ wrote Greer order to be appreciated. So when it so many years that it has moved historical spaces, surrounded as roque edifice nearby was renamed
in The Guardian. ‘What is being comes to broadening the audience on from the collective dinner table, it is with buildings drenched in the ‘Slave lodge’, the irony seemed
presented as aesthetic sensibility for art in South Africa, this conflict replaced by the economy and just politics of the past. The upgrad- uncomfortable and provocatively
is, in fact, moralism, of a kind that between not wanting to under- how poor everyone suddenly is. ing over the past year or so had calculated. (Not that some fine
has always bedevilled innovative stand and needing to understand Or perhaps many people have seen the car park removed and exhibitions haven’t been offered
artists.’ Personally, I think it is Greer becomes a already made up their minds about a paving project executed. Just a there.) The new monument has a
who is missing the point. real problem. As a result, there are crime and criminals. I spoke to one few weeks before that summery similar air of superficiality.
Just because lazy, hollow instal- a great many people who might woman who had been physically day, the mayor had unveiled the
lations and mass-produced art enjoy all that art has to offer, but attacked but who didn’t raise her city’s official slave memorial on the Slave memory deserves more
objects are the flavour of the instead keep well away from it. voice during the forums; she was corner of the square. subtle compassion, less gesture,
moment doesn’t mean we have to Of course, understanding has its vehemently in sympathy with Su- denser consideration. It is proving
Paul Emmanuel, Crowning: own rich pleasures. But its absence san Shabangu’s “kill the bastards”
accept them in bent and cowered The concept of ‘giving the space to be difficult to grasp in (conven-
Detail from Transitions 3. shouldn’t stop you from experienc- comment.
silence. In an age of the radical back to the public’ seemed tional) aesthetic terms.
dematerialisation of the art object, ing art – or anything else for that Another successful function took curiously at odds with the lack of
in which concept tends to be king, matter. Personally, understanding place at Bank Gallery a few weeks passers-by on that bright morning. The Cruise/Younge design under-
I celebrate Hughes’s courage in Transitions comprises a series trails experience by relative eons ago, where Paul Willemsen from The tourists looked in their guide stood that a minimalist approach is
boldly pointing out that the emperor of five ostensibly ‘photographic’ – with which I’m perfectly content. the Brussels-based Argos Centre and took a half-hearted picture perhaps the only way in. Abstrac-
is wearing no clothes. ‘No wonder sequences of images which, when I’ll swim down a river first, and work for Art and Media showed a quintet of the towering bronze statue of tion is preferable when one cannot
so many business big shots go for examined closely, are revealed out where I’ve been later. And if I’m of fascinating films. Billed simply as Hofmeyr, permanently fixed on claim to speak for those different
Hirst: his work is both simple- to be drawings which have been heading for a waterfall, well, I’m not non-narrative-based films, rather facing the Groote Kerk’s back; and long gone. But ideas on paper
minded and sensationalist, just sensitively hand-incised into scared, it’s only art. than video art, the works were the kids jumped up onto the stony don’t always work on the streets
the ticket for newbie collectors,’ he photographic paper with a blade. All of this comes to mind because boxes that form the new monu- where we live and work.
writes. Hughes is the only writer You can’t help but marvel at the I’ve just finished writing a review of ment.
I know of to have pointed out the madness of sheer painstaking the show Silent | Listen by avant- Peter Eisenman’s Holocaust me-
gross absurdity of Hirst’s prices application. There is something garde sound-based activists Ultra- The boarded-up, grand-old Na- morial in the heart of Berlin (from
– $12-million for a dead shark, $10 miraculous in the object that stands Red. It was a show that I liked, tional Mutual building (to become which the present designers surely
000 for a mere photograph of a dia- before you – something magical, but which others found problem- the Iziko Social history centre) with took a cue) also reference burial
mond-encrusted skull – when half sublime and beyond the ordinary. atic, both because of its relatively its medieval-prison style burglar markings, but there the entire
the hungry world would be happy But this superior level of draftsman- obscure art historical references bars had a dodo presence. An block had become an abstract
Shelly Silver. What I’m looking for.
to have a bit of old pickled shark fin ship is something I have come to and the fact that it represents a empty stage, as it were. cemetery, forcing the public to
USA, 2004, colour, 15’00
for supper. expect from Emmanuel. It was his specifically American reality. negotiate the spaces - and, by
To drive home her point, Greer film, 3 SAI A Rite of Passage, that As well as a haunting cacophony After giving a puzzled look at the implication, to confront the horrors
satirises Hughes’s love of Lucian left me wordless. For he has man- of American voices talking about – and here I am being allegorical new memorial (not in their guide of history.
Freud, jeering at the fact of him be- aged to translate that excruciatingly the Aids crisis, the show incorpo- more than literal – the work of art book yet), the tourists moved on
ing impressed by the laboriousness sensitized essence of his drawings rated specific references to Robert film-makers, rather than artists (towards admiring the beautiful Cape Town’s effort to commemo-
of Freud’s work. ‘Ha ha ha!’ jeers into a whole new medium. The film Rauschenberg’s White Painting making films. It might seem like frieze, half hidden on Parliament rate the tragedy of slavery was
Greer from her invisible throne of documents the head shaving of and 4”33’, the four minutes and a silly distinction but the level of street-side of the Slave lodge). never going to be easy. Obviously
contemporary derisiveness. But new recruits at the Third South Afri- thirty three seconds of silence technical skill on display – even The boy, who jumped up on the the last thing to do would have
again, I’m with Hughes on this mat- can Infantry Battalion in Kimberley, which avant garde composer though it is mostly invisible – is bigger of the boxes quickly lost been to utilise the means and
ter of labour. I may well be a child one of two national military training John Cage produced in response. absent from most of that discipline interest and moved on. manner of traditional colonial
of the 20th century, but personal camps, which still performs the Space prohibits an investigation we call video art. monuments (bronze, etc). But, for
labour in art often impresses me. obligatory hair shaving of new re- of that relationship here but if you And I am reminded of that old Some controversy (so what is now, the solution hasn’t quite been
Evidence of sweat excites me cruits. With its haunting soundtrack, explored Silent | Listen without that chestnut about Picasso being able new?) surrounded the selection of found. Unless we want Church
– even more so of late, for recently it succeeds in taking the viewer out knowledge, much of it would have to paint perfect realism. The truth is Wilma Cruise and Gavin Younge’s square to be permanently one
I have witnessed two major art of flat documentary reality for 12 passed you by. Which is both okay, that film-makers – whether they are proposal for the Slave memo- large void.
prizes (the MTN New Contemporar- perfect minutes – and in that sub- or not okay, depending on who you artists, directors or the countless rial, but here it is: different-sized
ies and the Sasol Wax Art Award) lime stretch of time outside of time, talk to. teenagers around the planet who polished granite ‘boxes’ engraved
being awarded to the most chilly, the world becomes charged with The existence of the American are embracing digital video in their with phrases that relate to the
unaffecting installations I have had emotional and symbolic resonanc- voices in Ultra-Red’s work also bedrooms– need to learn to make Cape’s slave history.
the displeasure and bewilderment es that render even the fleeting pointed to another problematic films before they can make films.
of encountering. expression on a young boy’s face dichotomy. We want to see inter- Pointing a camera at a clever idea With its reference to grave stones
(As for the Sasol Wax Art Awards quite unforgettably nuanced. You’re national work, but we also want to is only occasionally enough, and and heroic plinths, the new memo-
evening, pass the spittoon, Sheila. in a stark mess hall in Kimberley see that same work as relevant to the vast gulf between this small rial, together with the unremitting
I haven’t endured a more awful circa 2008, but it might as well be our own context. And, certainly if fragment of the Argos archive and dullness of the piazza, paved with
evening since that ostrich farm in Death in Venice. I saw Silent | Listen in a gallery in so much contemporary audiovisual those fake, cement cobblestones,
the Karoo, New Year’s Eve circa London or New York, where the expression, is testament to that seems to have turned the square
1999. I thought nothing could be avant garde finds audiences more truth. into a funereal public space. The
more dismal than the table ar- naturally due to those city’s large unfortunate banality of the grey
South African Art Times. November 2008 Page 11
Work from a collaboration show between Zwelethu Mthethwa and Louis Jansen van Dylan Lewis works on one of his works for his show entitled From Animal to Hu-
Vuuren’s entitled un/related stories” shows at the Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg. man, showing at the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch. Show runs until 30 April 09.
Two works by Bronwen Vaughan - Evans from her show entitled Memento Mori showing at the Bank Gallery, Durban 06 November - 06 December. see more information at www.bankgallery.co.za
The South African Print Gallery - a new gallery devoted exclusively to SA old and contemporary printmaking masters is looking for a gallery manager. The gallery is situated in the
new arts strip, Woodstock, Cape Town, that include The Goodman, Michael Stevenson and Bell - Roberts Galleries. We are looking for an individual who has a knowledge of SA
traditional and digital printmaking, as well as has good organisational, networking and marketing skills. Please send your application to art@arttimes.co.za attention: Gabriel.
Page 12 South African Art Times. November 2008
major collector and patron of the they’d have to be accompanied by (the Dokumenta) and elsewhere
arts. armed guards! That sort of talent opened up a whole new range of
At the same time, reading between spotting is what all galleries have possibilities. He began to under-
the lines it’s clear that he’s to do. We’re continually searching stand the power of big exhibitions,
unhappy with the lack of support for future trends, and we’re also triggering a change in his mindset
JAG receives from the Jo’burg looking at photography – we’ve from maker to curator.
Metro, in common with our other recently been buying David Gold- On his return to SA, he joined the
public galleries. No municipal blatt, for example. ANC Youth League and worked
money has been made available “And we’re already loaning out for MK and the Women’s League.
to supplement the collection for works by emerging artists to major The artistic breakthrough came
money years, though JAG has international museums – that’s when he joined an 18-month
one advantage over its peers: an both positive and significant.” curator’s programme for the first
endowment from Anglo American, For all the frustrations, he insists Johannesburg Biennale, with
which at present generates about “It’s an extraordinary privilege to Jean Hubert Martin; then came a
R700 000 a year for purchases. have managed this institution. We 9-month programme at De Appel,
When I point out that at current own 9 000 works, and the respon- in Amsterdam, which was largely
rates that will buy about half a sibility of caring for them gives one an introduction to the politics of the
Pierneef, Kellner concurs. a sense of purpose and mission, art world.
“But that’s not what we’re doing. as well as constantly reminding us The final stage of his transition
There are gaps we need to plug in of their historic significance.” into a curator was being part of the
our historic collection, but we must He has no doubt about the major management team of the second
spot the younger emerging artists, achievements of his tenure: the Johannesburg Biennale in 1997-
Clive Kellner Photo: John Hodgkiss that aren’t overpriced. Kentridge show and Africa Remix. 98, with curator Okwui Enwezor.
“Fifteen years ago we bought More prosaically, JAG has also Between then and joining JAG in
Clive Kellner reckons the optimum a result of the frustrations of work- made an impression on not just a number of Sekotos and Irma completed the first-ever com- 2004, the highlight of his career
period to run a major art institution ing anywhere in the public sector the African, but the world stage. Sterns at what were still affordable prehensive cataloguing of the was running Camouflage, a non-
is 10 years. So why is he quitting at the moment, but Kellner is more “But I sense that in the current prices. In 1981 the then director, collection. profit art centre in Johannesburg
as head of the Johannesburg Art diplomatic. climate a change is necessary, for the late Pat Senior, was able to Kellner could easily have become and Brussels, until its sponsor fell
Gallery after only four-and-a-half “It’s the right time, both for me and both our sakes.” buy works by Joseph Beuys, Andy an artist rather than a curator. He out, through illness.
years, participating in an exodus the institution. I like to build and Though he’s reluctant to be drawn Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein from studied art history and studio prac- Now he faces new challenges,
that – for various reasons – is fix things, not just maintain them. on his future, saying that other major commercial galleries in tice, and won an award to Paris, but whether in association with
seeing the departure of the heads Despite the challenges of the lack developments could also be in the London for tens of thousands of where he says his education really Gordon Schachat or elsewhere,
of almost all SA’s major public of resources, I believe we’ve man- pipeline, it’s no secret that he may dollars. started. He and a friend spent a you can be sure the art world has
galleries? aged to turn JAG around after a join forces with Gordon Schachat “They were sent out by courier year backpacking around Europe’s not heard the last of him.
It would be tempting to see this as somewhat subdued phase, and of African Bank Investments, a in plain cardboard tubes – today art centres: Paris, Rome, Basel
FRED SCHIMMEL at 80
Retrospective Exhibi tion
27 November 2008 - 15 January 2009
Det Wet Centre, Church Street, Stellenbosch, 7600 | 021 887 3607 | info@smacgallery.com
Page 14 South African Art Times. November 2008
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