Friday 21 November 2008

On the 31st of October and the 1st of November Nadine Hutton's Mass Media Freak Show, Funhouse. Took place at the Bag Factory. The per formative event attracted attention from various press including The Star, Mail and Guardian, JHBLive and the Sunday Independent.

Here are some images from the show:

Mail&Guardian Article
Star Tonight Article
Brian Webber is Britney Spears
Rat Western has added u as a friend on Freak Book, Do u CONFIRM or IGNORE.'
Matthew Krause chained to the press desk
Fred Koenig with Anthea Moys and Toni Morkel the two headed ring-master
Outcast Clown: Johannes
Outcast Clown: Joseph
Anthea Moys, Nadine Hutton and Toni Morkel sing Ken-Lee
The Ring Master: Anthea Moys and Toni Morkel
Outcast Clowns and Francois Venter
Chaos Theory: Bronwyn Lace, Stompi Selebi, Fanito Maseke
Chaos Theory: Bronwyn Lace
Fred Koenig
The Ring Master and Fred Koenig
Robert Colman as Tina Turnaround
Princess Interrupted Tipsy Tart
Fred Koenig as Lady Di
Mongi Mthombeni and Fred Koenig
Freak Show Cast Sing Ken-Lee
Nadine Hutton: Freak

Monday 10 November 2008

Residencey Artists' Exhibition

Graffiti by Rat Western
THE BAG FACTORY
Invites you to an exhibition by artists in residence

Fragments

Katharina Rohde (Berlin)
Barbara Walker (U.K.)

Opening Wednesday 3 December 2008
Exhibiting from 4 to 9 December 2008

The Bag Factory Artists’ Studios
10 Mahlatini Street,
Fordsburg,
Johannesburg


Tel: (011) 834 9181
Fax: (011) 838-6791
Email: info@bagfactoryart.org.za
Website: www.bagfactoryart.org.za

With thanks to:
The Ford Foundation
The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund
Arts Council England

Monday 13 October 2008

NADINE HUTTON’S FUNHOUSE



NADINE HUTTON’S
FUNHOUSE
A MASS MEDIA FREAK SHOW

In a world obsessed with the cult of the celebrity, where entertainment is news, the constant eye of the paparazzi feed an insatiable public a diet of celebrity freaks. Nadine Hutton brings together a collaborative event which takes a satirical look at the mass media freak show.

DATES :
FRIDAY 31ST OCTOBER, 7.30PM TIL LATE
SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 7.30PM TIL LATE
SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER 11AM-2PM installations

LOCATION:
BAG FACTORY
10 Mahlatini str
Fordsburg

Entrance: R30

Face your fears in the Paparazzi House of Horrors

Be Astounded, Shocked, Revolted & Aroused by a Pandora’s Box of celebrity freaks:

International Curiosity Fred Koenig resurrects Lady Di,
Toni Morkel & Anthea Moys are the Twin-Headed Ringmaster

Acts by
Robert Coleman
Outcast Clowns
Francois Venter
Rat Western
Stanimir Stoykov
And so so many more guest appearances

A sound & word performance installation by Bronwyn Lace, Stompie Selebi & Fanito

Sound by Boris Vukasovic & Andrew Whispa

We accept no responsibility if the Media Watchdog humps your leg

Enquiries: (011 834 9181), info@bagfactoryart.org.za

Greatmore Studios: TENTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY RAFFLE

In its tenth birthday, Greatmore Studios is proud to extend an invitation to share in a time of reflection over the achievements of the past decade. This is an opportunity to celebrate our history and the new possibilities that local and international artists bring to the space every year.

To mark this event the committee at Greatmore Studios has selected work on paper from the collection of images donated by local and international artists which will serve as prizes in our raffle draw. The draw will take place at the Greatmore Studios in Woodstock during an evening of celebration on the 14th of November. All the studios will be open and the selected work will be on exhibition. 179 artworks have been generously donated to the Greatmore Studios collection; 112 works have been selected for inclusion in this exclusive raffle collection. We anticipate selling 224 tickets that will afford ticket holders a 50% chance of winning an original artwork. To view the art work please see the link on our website. Raffle tickets are for sale at ZAR 1 600 each. For more information about ticket sales please email André Barnard at artmore@mweb.co.za ,or phone 021 4479699.

How to buy a Raffle ticket
Deposit your money into:
Account Name: Greatmore Studios
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch: Mowbray
Branch code: 020909
Swift Address: SBZA ZA JJ
Account Number: 071151397
Account Type: Cheque
Account Reference: YOUR NAME

Please confirm your payment via email to:
accounts@greatmoreart.org.za . Include in the email: FULL NAME, PHONE NUMBER, POSTAL ADDRESS.

The Board of Greatmore Studios would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to all the artists who have generously donated one or mutilple artworks. This is a significant contribution and a true vote of confidence in our programs and projects. Thank you for your continual commitment to artmaking and for encouraging intercultural exchange at the studios and beyond. Our combined efforts will ensure the success of developing greater appreciation of the visual arts through interaction and exchange between artists and their communities. We look forward to hosting you all at our special raffle draw scheduled for 14 November 2008 at Greatmore Studios.

Images of work can be viewed here: http://www.greatmoreart.org/catalogue_01.htm

Wednesday 8 October 2008

Sasol Wax Art Awards

The Sasol Wax Art Award exhibition opens in October at the University of Johannesburg Art Centre.

The Sasol Wax Art Award is South Africa’s most prestigious accolade for established artists. It is the only industry benchmark that recognises artists who have achieved professional maturity and are on a par with the best internationally.

Five of South Africa’s most dynamic contemporary artists, Avhashone Mainganye, Tracey Rose, Stephen Hobbs, Hentie van der Merwe and Brett Murray were selected from over 120 nominations to participate in the third Sasol Wax Art Award exhibition, open to the public from the 14th October – 7 November 2008.

In its third year, the Award is targeted at mid-career and professionally mature artists with substantial exhibition profiles. This category is not represented by most South African art opportunities, which focus on younger emerging artists. While mid-career artists have proven their excellence in their fields, there are few opportunities to recognise this.

Wax must be featured in either the process, the concept or as a medium in the finalists’ artworks.

“ It was amazing to see how the different bodies of work come together”, says Curator and Artistic Director Les Cohn. “Working independently of each other, there is still a common theme running through the works which represents the Zeigtgeist of the country at the moment- challenges, questions and ironies about power in it many forms.”

The works on exhibition will include video installations that challenge the notions of corporate power and sponsorship, explorations of the changing landscape of a city, as well as tributes to the significant history of the Venda region, and the power of the spiritual ties that bind people. The artists have made full use of the exhibition venue, with finalist Brett Murray using the outside walls of the gallery as his canvas in a powerful installation message.

Says Carola Ross, Executive Director of the Award, “ The Award, now in its third year, has reached a level of maturity of its own. The industry has been wonderfully supportive of the project, and has in turn benefited from the Award. We feel that the Award has raised the bar for South African artists and created awareness that there is in fact segmentation in the industry, where artists can now be considered established at a certain level.”

Also on exhibition will be the work from the Sasol wax art award Jewellery Outreach Initiative, SWAA JOI, a programme affiliated to the Award in partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture, under the endorsement of the Deputy Minister Ntombazana Botha”

The programme has seen Durban University of Technology partner with community group, Velobala, and the University of the Johannesburg partnering with Imfundiso Skill Development Project.

Opportunities have thus been developed to act as catalysts for aspirant jewellery designers to explore creative concepts, and develop technical proficiency. Bringing together students the various institutions, programme provides skills training, and encourages creative exchange between the two parties.

The finalists work will be on exhibition to the public at the University of Johannesburg Opportunities have thus been developed to act as catalysts for aspirant jewellery designers to explore creative concepts, and develop technical excellence. Bringing together students from the University of Johannesburg Jewellery Department and Imfundiso Skills Development project this programme provides skills training, and encourages creative exchange between the two parties

The Sasol wax art award Finalists Exhibition will be open to the public at the University of Johannesburg Art Gallery, Kingsway Campus, Auckland Park from the 14 October – 5 November 2008.

Walkabouts and are on offer for the public.

The Sasol Wax Art Award 2008 Walkabout schedule is:

Avhashoni Mainganye artist Tues 14 10 2008 11 00

Brett Murray artist Wed 15 10 2008 11 00

Rika La Grange ass curator Fri 17 10 2008 12 30

Stephen Hobbs artist Tues 21 10 2008 16 00

Less Cohn curator Wed 22 10 2008 12 30

Tracey Rose artist Fri 24 10 2008 12 30

Les Cohn curator Tues 28 10 2008 16 00

Carola Ross Exec dir SWAA Wed 29 10 2008 12 30

Rika la Grange ass curator Fri 31 10 2008 12 30

Hentie van der Merwe artist Sat 01 11 2008 11 00

Rika La Grange ass curator Tues 04 11 2008 16 00


For more information, or to book a walkabout, please phone Rika La Grange on 011 726 2502 or e-mail wax@mweb.co.za

Further information is available from the Award organizers, Carola Ross and Associates at 011 726 2502 or on email to hotmango@mweb.co.za or visit www.sasol.com

For media queries:

Taryn Cohn
taryncohn@acenet.co.za
0836715139

Monday 22 September 2008

David and Goliath Auction


You are hereby invited to attend the david&GOLIATH auction to be held at The Bag Factory in Fordsburg, Johannesburg onThursday, 25 September 2008 at 19h00. Preview and auction registration will be possible from 17h00.

Some information related to the auction:-

The relationship between the arts and commercial industry is one in which issues of creative ownership and copyright infringement is frequently contested. It is generally financially impossible for the individual artist to address these issues legally when faced with a corporate giant.

The david&GOLIATH initiative is aimed at creating a platform through which
the arts can support the arts in protecting creative ownership.

Prominent South African artists have generously sponsored artworks to be auctioned off at this fundraising event, which is proudly hosted by The Bag Factory.

Funds raised at this event will be used to support the case of:

Gerhard Marx vs. Ireland Davenport and BMW
due to occur in the High Court on the 9th of October 2008

Any further profits from this auction will enable the establishment of the david&GOLIATH trust, which will aim to financially support artists against copyright infringement and commercial exploitation.

Supporting Artists:

Wim Botha Jo Ractliffe Penny Siopis

Aiden Dom Bronwyn Lace Clive van den Berg Conrad Kemp David Andrew Diane Victor Dorothy Kreutzfeldt Ellen Rose Gerhard Marx Jeremy Wafer Jo Ractliffe
Jonah Sack Joni Brenner Kim Lieberman Lehlogonolo Mashaba Liam Lynch Maja Marx Marco Cianfanelli Marcus Neustetter Minette Vari Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi
Nhlapo Senzo Nirupa Sing Olaf Bisschoff Penny Siopis Philip Miller Richard Forbes Richard Penn Robyn Penn Sabelo Mlangeni Santu Mofokeng Stefanus Rademeyer Stephan Erasmus Suzanne du Preez Usha Seejarim Walter Oltmann William Kentridge Wim Botha Yvonne Harvey Zander Blom and more.

Date:
25 September 2008 from 17h00 onwards. Auction commences at 19h00

Venue:
The Bag Factory
10 Mahlatini Street
Fordsburg
011 834 9181
See attached map

Auctioneer:
Bernardi Auctioneers

Supported by:
Art Extra / The Artist Proof Studio / Art on Paper / Art South Africa / The Bag Factory /
Bernardi Auctioneers / Brendan Copestake and Jillian Ross / Godart / Goodman Gallery /
John Hodgkiss / Rooke Gallery / Templar Wales / Tonic / The Trinity Sessions / Warren Siebrits

Modern Fabrics

modern fabrics
>urban culture and artists connected to the city landscape<
Curated by Nontobeko Ntombela

Exploring notions of identity, aesthetics, human and geographic relationships; ‘modern fabrics’ interrogates the relationship between 'high' and 'low' culture in the cosmopolitan urban landscape of South Africa.

The exhibition is arranged in a symmetrical construction probing dialogues between works of different artists as a way of finding synergies, commonality and contradictions. This construction is set to demonstrate the diverse and hybrid nature of the city. Whilst the word ‘fabrics’ creates an impression of a show of artists' only working with a didactic inclusion of fabrics, the title of the show is a metaphor for ‘young artists’ on the exhibition. ‘Modern fabrics’ also refers to the constructed weave of the modern urban environment.

Coincidentally, selected artists in the show have works that use fabric, their works have been included because of their conceptual comment relating to the city. Similar to the inclusion of other types of found objects, these low cultured commodities in artists' work, purposefully transform the 'found object' function into new readings. Mkhize, Bengu, Xaba, and Sitas explore this dimension in their work.

Dunywa, Mama, Bopape, Dunn & Zondi interrogate the contemporary language of high tech through the use of new media whilst exploring different and separate concepts in their works. Traditional mediums are also included, particularly the work of Vaughan-Evans and Sibande, who use painting to excavate notions of both human and geographic relationships.

Curated by Nontobeko (Nonto) Ntombela. She is currently employed as the Gallery Curator of the Art Gallery, Durban University of Technology. Trained as an artist in recent years she has worked mainly as a curator and art project manager in Durban.

For More information contact Nonto Ntombela or Bronwyn Lace
nontobekon@gmail.com or Bronwyn.lace@gmail.com
0781901221 (Nonto) or 0716820756 (Bronwyn)