Hope Box
www.vmcaa.nl/vm/magazine/hopebox/index.html
Hope Box', a collection of projects initiated by Dutch artist Rienke Enghardt, is currently on show at Johannesburg Art Gallery, and moves to Pretoria and Durban thereafter. The exhibition, co-ordinated by the Joubert Park Project, includes 'Cadavre Exquis', an artist get- together inspired by Surrealist practices, as well as 'Tigerpaws in the fishglobe', an interactive art-show performed for Joubert Park children in a tent of kites.
Working collaboratively, Walter van Broekhuizen, Usha Seejarim, Mbongeni Buthelezi and Harry van der Woud created a textual Cadavre Exquis especially for ArtThrob. The text-based version works in a manner similar to the visual game, in which each participant completes a figurative element of a larger portrait based on nominal hints bled across the folded page. It reads (in the order of the aforementioned artists) as follows:
JAG
hi-jacking
hope-box
hot-spot
E
R S
D P
E O
M N
R S
A E
Response to the responsibility
...instinctive
...intuitive, creative line.
Drawing outside the box.
Blind collaboration
sharing, exchange, dialogue: communication
The difference between a tourist and a traveller
The difference between coincidence and destiny
....the sameness of being.
Being with Rienke the first time we met, I was really not too sure what is expected of me from this project. However I was exited to be chosen as one of the artists from South Africa who will participate in the Hope Box (Weather Report).
The intention of this exercise has only became clear to me when I see the works together in one. Perhaps, again it is only now that I see how fortunate I am to be part of this project.
I have also no doubt in my mind that I am having an experience of a life-time in this project where I communicate with fellow artists through visual means from other parts of the world. This project gives me HOPE not only for my country but the whole world. I thank you so much Rienke for giving me this opportunity to participate in this exciting and extra-ordinary project. Thank you; God Bless
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BLESS THE SCHIZOFRENICCINERFOZIHCS EHT SSELB
BAD URLLRU DAB
ANYTHING WILL DOOD LLIW GNIHTYNA
TRUST MEEM TSURT
AN UNEXPECTED ERRORRORRE DETCEPXENU NA
OCCUREDDERUCCO
PRESS OKKO SSERP
SERVE YOUR COUNTRYYRTNUOC ROUY EVRES
BE A HEAD-WAITERRETIAW-DEAH A EB
& MEET THE UNEXPECTED::DETCEPXENU EHT TEEM &
A JAG HOPE BOX CURATORROTARUC XOB EPOH GAJ A
'Hope Box' will close at the JAG on October 16, at 5.30pm. Members of the public are invited to come and talk to 'Hope Box' artists Usha Seejarim, Ilse Pahl, Mbongeni Buthelezi, Rienke Enghardt, Walter van Broekhuizen and Harry van der Woud - as well as collaboratively create a work. Thank you Keren Ben Zeev.
Contemporary Africa Database
http://people.africadatabase.org
The Contemporary Africa Database is a participatory online project designed to provide easily accessible and current information concerning prominent Africans, African organisations, and dates in the African calendar.
There are currently 9,546 people listed on the database, 3,595 who work in the arts industry. The visual arts sub category lists cartoonists (6), curators (26), designers (29), mixed media artists (24), multi-media artists (71), painters (285), photographers (130), print-makers (43), sculptors and ceramicists (133). There are 188 South Africans listed under visual arts.
33 visual arts are extensively profiled, including Peter Clarke, Gavin Jantjes, Matsemela Manaka, Ernst Mancoba, Olu Oguibe, Tracey Rose and Yinka Shonibare. Most of these profiles are unfortunately in French (written by the Cameroonian art critic Marie-Christine Eyene). The South African artist and writer Mario Pissarra does however profile a number of familiar names, in English. Aside from his review of Sue Williamson, Pissarra also profiles Willie Bester, Lionel Davis, Dumile Feni, Seydou Keita, Sfiso Ka Mkame, Sandra Klopper, Zwelethu Mthethwa and Brett Murray.
The London-based Africa Centre, who also welcome suggestions of names for the lists, sponsors the initiative. Contact: info@africacentre.org.uk