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One hundred artworks have been chosen from the 2 147 entries submitted for the inaugural Spier Contemporary 2007 exhibition. In addition to the prestige of being part of South Africa’s largest national exhibition in 2007/2008, five to seven winners will be announced at the exhibition opening and share the prize money of R700 000.
“The work is extraordinary, made with such precision and care. And what is even more exciting is that there is a whole bunch of new-generation artists who are speaking the values of a new generation. They are using language in a new tone – with a kind of humour and wryness, even when looking at difficult issues,” said curator Clive van den Berg.
The exhibition opens at the Spier Estate on 12 December in an innovative temporary structure by architect Elliott Maltby from New York’s thread collective. Serving to mark the future site of the Africa Centre and the Southbank development, the structure reflects Spier’s commitment to sustainable design by using retired shipping containers donated by Safmarine.
Minimising extensive site manipulation, the structure takes advantage of the existing slope of the site to create an expansive entrance gallery as well as a sequence of three galleries punctuated by exterior courtyards. Stacked containers create thickened walls, with a commonly available agricultural fabric acting as a low-tech roof and the flat paved surfaces of existing tennis courts functioning as the floor. While most of the exhibition will be staged in these galleries, a few containers will house smaller sound and video installations.
The exhibition will travel to Johannesburg and Durban in 2008.
Iconic craft showcase
Also showing at Spier from 1 December to 20 January is the ICONIC [craft] exhibition, curated by the Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI). Expect close on 100 crafted art pieces by the likes of Jackson Nkumanda, Haldane Martin, Derrick Senteni, Heath Nash, Lehopo Lichaba, Majolandile Dyalvane, Lisa Firer, Katherine Glenday, Joe Mapfuno, Jefter Mwazha, Mike Carellas, Jane Solomon, Nosipho Mfengwana, Ena Heese-Kranenburg, Zandra Klapwijk, Monkeybiz, Streetwires, Mielie and Xenoga.
One hundred artworks have been chosen from the 2 147 entries submitted for the inaugural Spier Contemporary 2007 exhibition. In addition to the prestige of being part of South Africa’s largest national exhibition in 2007/2008, five to seven winners will be announced at the exhibition opening and share the prize money of R700 000.
“The work is extraordinary, made with such precision and care. And what is even more exciting is that there is a whole bunch of new-generation artists who are speaking the values of a new generation. They are using language in a new tone – with a kind of humour and wryness, even when looking at difficult issues,” said curator Clive van den Berg.
The exhibition opens at the Spier Estate on 12 December in an innovative temporary structure by architect Elliott Maltby from New York’s thread collective. Serving to mark the future site of the Africa Centre and the Southbank development, the structure reflects Spier’s commitment to sustainable design by using retired shipping containers donated by Safmarine.
Minimising extensive site manipulation, the structure takes advantage of the existing slope of the site to create an expansive entrance gallery as well as a sequence of three galleries punctuated by exterior courtyards. Stacked containers create thickened walls, with a commonly available agricultural fabric acting as a low-tech roof and the flat paved surfaces of existing tennis courts functioning as the floor. While most of the exhibition will be staged in these galleries, a few containers will house smaller sound and video installations.
The exhibition will travel to Johannesburg and Durban in 2008.
