Goodman Gallery Projects at Arts on Main in Johannesburg presents Basic Reality, a show that connects the common concerns of art students, recent graduates and independent artists.
Running from 4 September to 9 October 2011, Basic Reality explores the theory of reality as observed by Katrin Lewinsky.
For the past three years Lewinsky has been working with emerging artists on this conceptual ethos of a “basic reality”. The show in question is thus an opportunity for up-and-coming visual artists to present their work in an established space without specified curatorial supervision.
Rather than hand-picking the artists and work for the show, Lewinsky engaged more than a dozen artists who all, at a relatively young age, have an impressive track record of creative production. Noting what these artists are capable of, they were challenged to independently create and select the works for Basic Reality.
The exhibition’s common thread incorporates theories and philosophies on the notions of reality and perception. Lewinsky explains that the idea behind Basic Reality is the understanding is that the “real” is not simply what unfolds in front of us but rather how we perceive it.
Each artist was invited to participate based on his or her ability to offer a refreshing take on reality, a new form of expression that is singular and exciting. Basic Reality presents the work of Quinten Williams, Tiffany Mentoor, Thabiso Sekgala, Gerarf Machona , Murray Kruger, Samantha Hill, Ravi Govender, Mina Lundgren, Jacques du Toit, Peter Campbell, Jamal Nxedlana, Maja Marx and Monique Pelser.
The Cuss Collective – a group of young artists including Ravi Govender, Jamal Nxedlana and Zamani Xolo – present a documentary film as well as luxury handbag and jewelryrange called Skopo, which cites cattle slaughter and the inner city journey of a skopo or cow's head. Skopo will follow Basic Reality, acting as an exhibition within an exhibition.
