On 1st December - World Aids and Emancipation day, Iziko Museums of Cape Town will commemorate these two global occurrences by granting the public free access to all its sites. On the 1st December, the public is invited to join Iziko staff at the Iziko Castle of Good Hope for a guided tour of the Not Alone exhibition, attend an interactive performance workshop at Rust and Vreugd, as well as attend talks about HIV/Aids and Human Trafficking at the Iziko Slave Lodge.
As part of the ACTIVATE initiative a free interactive performance workshop entitled Christine’s Room will be conducted at Iziko Rust and Vreugd, 78 Buitenkant Street from 12:30. The programme is presented by Myer Taub and the Rooster Collective in collaboration with MonkeyBiz.
Not Alone, an international project of ‘MAKE ART/STOP AIDS’, is a traveling exhibition currently hosted at the Iziko Castle of Good Hope, and puts the spotlight on the importance of access to treatment, through the power of art. The exhibition highlights the far-reaching consequences of the AIDS epidemic and promotes the importance of access to treatment. One of the iconic works on exhibition is Daniel Goldstein and John Kapellas’ Medicine Man, a sculpture made up of over 300 medicine bottles and syringes used by the two American artists, who have lived HIV-Positive for over twenty years.
and their partners and friends, many of whom are no longer alive.
Strengths & Convictions: The life and times of the South African Peace Prize Laureates Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, FW de Klerk, Nelson Mandela, is a testimony of the laureates trials, tribulations and triumphs, and pays homage to their wisdom and foresight, which culminated in the peaceful emancipation from a then strife-torn South Africa. This exhibition celebrating the lives of these remarkable men is hosted at the Iziko National Gallery, and features photography and video documenting their lives and times, as well as artwork by contemporary South African artists. The exhibition is curated by Gavin Jantjes
In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared 1 December, Word Aids Day.
The World Aids Day 2009 theme “Universal Access and Human Rights” has been chosen to address the critical need to protect human rights and attain access for all HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
South Africa is commemorating this day under 3 Key Messages (I am responsible,
We are responsible, South Africa is taking responsibility) aimed at encouraging everyone in our country - individuals, communities, businesses and government to take personal and collective responsibility to stop new HIV infections, provide care and support to those living with HIV and to ensure access to treatment for all people in need.
On this day in 1834, hundreds of slaves – men, women and children were emancipated …..but not freed. They remained apprenticed to their former owners without pay. It was only on the 1 December 1838 that they were truly freed. Today, although no longer legal, slavery continues to exist in different forms.
It is upon this international declaration that Iziko Museums of Cape Town will join the rest of the country and international community to commemorate Word Aids Day & Emancipation Day. This commemorative day has historic roots and ongoing consequences. Enquiries can be directed to Sthembele Harmans on 021 481 3812, email sharmans@iziko.org.za and Sibulele Tyhomfa on 021 464 3283, email styhomfa@iziko.org.za
