Art News South Africa

10 top attractions at the Cape Town Art Fair

The fifth edition of the Cape Town Art Fair offers attendees a range of contemporary art attractions. The fair has an ambitious events programme and over 80 exhibitors spanning two halls at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 7 - 9 February.

Here’s a quick guide to what is absolutely not to be missed at this year’s show:

1. Live performance art:

Internationally renowned Donna Kukama will perform a new work entitled Chapter L: Where Rain Clouds Gathered at18h00 on Friday 17 February 2017 in the Talks Auditorium.

Donna-Kukama - Photo by Tiago Baccarin
Donna-Kukama - Photo by Tiago Baccarin

2. A Human Carwash:

Entitled The Carwash: a Declaration of the Independence of the Imagination and the Rights of Man to His Own Madness (2017), experience the novelty and tactility of this large-scale interactive installation by Katharien de Villiers of SMITH gallery for yourself.

Katherien de Villiers -Car Wash (sketch)
Katherien de Villiers -Car Wash (sketch)

3. Tomorrows/Today:

Witness the emerging talent from the African continent and the diaspora - Tomorrows/Today gathers new provocative voices reflecting on our contemporary realities. Each artist has a solo presentation and there will be an award presented on Sunday at 18.00 forming the closing ceremony of the fair.

Liza Grobler - Barbed Wire Paradise - Immersive spatial drawing in mixed media 2016. Photo by Nienke de Wet
Liza Grobler - Barbed Wire Paradise - Immersive spatial drawing in mixed media 2016. Photo by Nienke de Wet

4. Investment opportunity:

Many of the works at the fair are for sale, with experienced and knowledgeable gallerists and curators on hand to advise on the art market. There will be acquisitions experts and asset managers flying in from all over the globe to make their purchases.

5. Talks programme:

An array of talks are scheduled daily in the auditorium, featuring local and global heavyweights. Consult the fair catalogue for the full programme.

6. Book Signing:

Zander Blom will be on hand to greet and sign copies of “Zander Blom: Paintings Volume II” at the Stevenson stand in the Magazines & Publications Section, on Friday 17 February 2017 from 14.00 - 15.00.

Zander Blom - Painting Volume II 2013
Zander Blom - Painting Volume II 2013

7. Workshops:

Free for children and their parents, the Cape Town Art Fair will host four workshops with educators and artists from the Lalela Arts Foundation on Saturday 18 February 2017 at the Watershed in the V&A Waterfront. Join these ‘Art of Listening’ workshops at 10.00, 12.00, 14.00 or 16.00.

10 top attractions at the Cape Town Art Fair

8. Screenings:

View the film Afro Promo #1 Kinglady by international artist Nora Chipaumire who explores the absence of African superheroes or catch Mohau Modisakeng’s “INZILO” as part of the official programme. The screenings run back to back on Sunday 19 February 2017 from 16.00 - 17.00.

9. One man jumping castle:

Test your legs on this inflatable creation by Michael Landers of SMITH gallery, entitled King of My Castle (2017). Although this large-scale installation looks like fun, it’s a serious comment on the narcissism of internet culture, that forms part of the fair’s Unframed section.

Michael Linders - Jumping Castle (sketch 1)
Michael Linders - Jumping Castle (sketch 1)

10. Reading matter:

Art publications from all over the world have partnered with the fair to present their publications in print and digital format. Check out the Digital Platforms and get your hands on a copy of the very first print issue of Adjective magazine, which launches at the fair boasting a limited edition collectable art print as part of its contents.

The CTAF App on Artsy will help attendees navigate their way around the fair.

Tickets are available online: www.capetownartfair.co.za/book-tickets or via Computicket outlets.

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