Labels: 20:20, Vansa

Curated by Okey Nwafor (co-curated with the Cape Africa Platform Young Curators)
This exhibition juxtaposes the production of young artists from Nigeria and South Africa in order to see how their different concerns and issues coincide and diverge. This is the first exhibition to specifically address this juxtaposition and to examine the commonalities that artists from two of Africa’s most important countries have in common.
In particular, works that address social concerns have been selected: how are these concerns articulated by artists from these two geographically and culturally separated countries? What meanings are embedded in their works? These are some of the curatorial issues that Nwafor addresses in this exhibition.
Participating artists: Bright Eke; Amarachi Okafor; Ozioma Onuzulike; Chike Obeagu; Ndide Dike (Nigeria); Stuart Bird; Dan Halter (South Africa).
Okey Nwafor has curated this exhibition as part of the African Program in Museum and Heritage Studies (APMHS) in Association with the Cape Africa Platform.
Opens: 17:00 7 August 2008
Closes: 17:00 12 August 2008
Cape Africa Platform
8 Spin Street
Cape Town
Enquiries: penncils@yahoo.com

Labels: listings, nigerian art, south african art, Vansa, Young Curators

Whoever thinks that local artists don't have a hope in hell of being acknowledged by the Whitney should think again. After the VANSA opening the other night, which celebrated the staggering revelation that earnest and concerned community organizations can actually be fun, happy artists decided to hold another meeting right away, at the Kimberley. Who should be on VH1 but Whitney, and as we sang along with her the moving anthem "I will always love you," we could feel she really meant it this time.

Big congratulations to Bianca and Tashinga for what promises to be a really active and encouraging organization, and thanks for the fabulous show. More please.

Labels: Vansa, Whitney wallpaper

I have the horrors about actors, which stems from having my peaceful art making studio at Michaelis below the rowdy noise making studio of the drama students. Having to spend entire afternoons listening to humans pretending they are gibbous monkeys (this really happened) is enough to put anyone off for life and then some. Its a pity really, because I'm sure not all of them were idiots. The reason I mention this is because I was on the PANSA(Performance Art Network South Africa) site, and I was blown away by the light years they are ahead of our VANSA. Seriously light years. I was especially struck by this great iniative called BrainBank. Ok, clearly they need someone who understands web design to jack the thing up, but the concept is great. Essentially, it's a non-monetary talent barter system, called a Community Exchange System. You can offer up skills you have, for example directorial advice, and charge for it in the sites internal currency. Someone buys your time/skill with currency they have earned selling their talent (although when you sign up you are allocated a certain amount free). Then you can take what you have earned and exchange it for a different service from a different member, but it doesn't have to be limited to drama stuff, it could be any skill someone has... babysitting, massage, whatever. How nice. Community building, networking, skill building all rolled into one. Now why can't we provide a similar visual art concept? Why aren't we coming up with innovative concepts? Maybe now that VANSA is hiring a project manager, we could hope for some more things interesting to happen.

Labels: Pansa, Vansa

Labels: Lizza, Pallo Jordan, Vansa