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What's on at Iziko Museums
January / February / March 2010
Event Listing:
Download the entire Whats on catalogue [PDF]
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Iziko South African National Gallery |
Strengths and Convictions: The life and times of the South African Nobel Peace
Prize laureates, Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, F.W. de Klerk, Nelson Mandela
Until 28 February
The recent award of the Nobel Peace Prize to
US President, Barak Obahma, has once again
drawn international attention to the world’s most
prestigious award and its long list of laureates. The
Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway, has produced
this exhibition and it is presented in collaboration
with Iziko Museums. Occupying five galleries, this
large-scale and topical exhibition consists of a broad
selection of contemporary artworks by South African
and international artists. It includes 60 rare portrait
photographs and seven new documentary films, and
has been designed to engage viewers of all ages
with artistic responses and interpretations of South
Africa’s good and bad times. Iconic works such as
Song of the Pick (1946/7) by Gerard Sekoto, African
Guernica (1967) by Dumile Feni and Carnage II (1988)
by Noria Mabasa, as well as rare and recent works
by Michael Goldberg and Araminta de Claremont,
help to narrate the history from which South Africa’s
laureates emerged. Strengths and Convictions
offers both South African and foreign visitors an
opportunity to see some of the best South African
art and photography.
A 200-page, fully illustrated publication presents the
acceptance speeches of each laureate on receiving
this prestigious prize, as well as contextual essays by
the writers, Antjie Krog, Albie Sachs and Jonas Gahr
Støre, the Norwegian Foreign Minister, and exhibition
curator Gavin Jantjes.
Read the Press Release >>
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Iziko South African National Gallery |
Dada South?
Until 28 February
Rooms 7, 8, 9 and 10
Founded in Zürich in 1916, the Dada movement
rejected traditional artistic and cultural values.
Through its radical ‘anti-art’ stance, artists
associated with Dada disrupted the conventions of
the modernist age and had a profound impact on
future forms of creative practice. The resurgence
of Neo Dada movements in the 1960s rejuvenated
these radical ideas.
Dada’s legacy is one of fierce political potential
through radical disruptions of accepted forms. For
some South African artists working during the
decades of oppression and isolation of the apartheid
era, Dada strategies were a significant influence on
their resistance tactics, and one which is finding its
way back into the expressions of a new generation
of young, contemporary practitioners.
Curated by Roger van Wyk and Kathryn Smith, the
exhibition draws together works by South African
artists dating from the late 1960s to the present,
representing a range of avant-garde positions in
the aftermath of Dada, including works by Wopko
Jensma, Neil Goedhals, Jane Alexander, Lucas
Seage, Candice Breitz and Kendell Geers, among
others. In an adjoining space, original Dada works,
including films and publications, will be assembled
for exhibition in South Africa for the first time.
Read the Press Release >>
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Iziko South African Museum |
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009
Until 13 March
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition
is an international showcase for the very best
photography featuring natural subjects. The
competition is owned by two UK institutions that
pride themselves on revealing and championing
the diversity of life on Earth – the Natural History
Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine – and is
brought to South Africa by NHU AFRICA.
Being placed in this competition is something
that wildlife photographers, worldwide, aspire
to. Professionals win many of the prizes, but
amateurs succeed too. And that’s because
achieving the perfect picture combines skill,
vision, originality, knowledge of nature, and luck.
Each year thousands of entries are received and
judged by a specially selected expert panel. From
vivid, colourful landscapes, to intimate portraits
of animal behaviour, the Wildlife Photographer of
the Year exhibition offers an extraordinary insight
into the beauty, drama and diversity of the natural
world.
Enquiries: Hamish Robertson, Tel. 021 481 3849
or email hrobertson@iziko.org.za.
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Iziko at the Castle of Good Hope |
Not Alone: An international project of MAKE ART/STOP AIDS Medicine Man for Cape Town
Until 31 January
Not Alone: An international project of MAKE ART/
STOP AIDS is a travelling exhibition featuring the
works of artists from Brazil, the United States, India
and South Africa. Through international artistic
solidarity, the far-reaching consequences of the
AIDS epidemic are shown, and the importance of
access to treatment is promoted.
Artist, Daniel Goldstein, who created the “Medicine
Man” sculpture featured in the Not Alone exhibition,
has constructed a similar sculpture at the Castle of
Good Hope. The new sculpture, like the original, is
constructed from hundreds of empty ARV medicine
bottles. In the first sculpture, the bottles belonged
to the artist and his collaborator, John Kapellas.
The new “Medicine Man” is made from bottles
belonging to South Africans living with AIDS, and
addresses the subject of the side effects of ARVs.
The completed product is on display for the duration
of the Not Alone exhibition.
Enquiries: Shanaaz Galant, Tel. 021 464 1276
or email sgalant@iziko.org.za,
Esther Esmyol, Tel. 021 464 1262 or 083 712 7423
or email eesmyol@iziko.org.za,
or Lalou Melzer, Cell. 073 179 6708.
Read Press Release >>
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Iziko South African Museum |
Darwin and the Cape
Until April
2009 saw the 200th anniversary of the birth of
Charles Darwin, as well as the 150th anniversary
of the publication of his book, On the Origin
of Species. His theory on the evolution of life
through natural selection provided a scientific
foundation for understanding how life diversified
on Earth, and it is the theory that holds biology
together. Darwin visited the Cape in 1836 on his
journey around the world on the HMS Beagle.
He corresponded with naturalists at the Cape,
including previous staff of the South African
Museum. This exhibition provides an overview of
Darwin’s life, his contribution to biology, and his
relationship with the Cape.
Enquiries: Olga Jeffries, Tel. 021 481 3897
or email ojeffries@iziko.org.za.
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Not Alone: An international project of MAKE ART/STOP AIDS
Until 31 January
A magnificent artwork, the “Keiskamma Altarpiece”,
is on display in the foyer of the Iziko Slave Lodge.
The work forms part of an international art
exhibition on HIV/AIDS called Not Alone which is on
at the Castle of Good Hope.
The “Keiskamma Altarpiece” was made by 130
women and men of the Keiskamma Art Project,
over a period of seven months. The Altarpiece can
be read as an expression of the hope, endurance
and strength of the people fighting against the
devastation of poverty and HIV in Hamburg and the
surrounding villages in the Eastern Cape.
The three-hinge-paneled work depicts three themes,
as experienced in the everyday lives of the people.
The stories that unfold on the panels begin with the
Crucifixion, showing people struggling through the
pain of poverty, disease and death. The second panel
represents Resurrection, showing images of hope,
redemption and restoration. The third panel, called
Reality, consists of life-size black and white images
of grandmothers and their grandchildren.
The embroidery on the panels consists of various
and intricate techniques such as the threedimensional
wire beadwork, appliqué and stumpwork
embroidery, all layered in the separate panels.
The Altarpiece measures an impressive 4.15 metres
high and 6.8 metres wide.
Enquiries: Esther Esmyol, Tel. 021 464 1262
or email eesmyol@iziko.org.za, or Shanaaz Galant,
Tel. 021 464 1276 or email sgalant@iziko.org.za.
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Iziko South African National Gallery |
Alexis Preller: Africa, the Sun and Shadows
Current, Rooms 1 and 2
Until 28 February.
Alexis Preller: Africa, the Sun and Shadows is a long
overdue retrospective of the work of Alexis Preller
(1911 –1975). During the course of his 40-year career,
Preller concentrated solely on his art, working daily
in his Pretoria studio and producing a vast number
of exuberantly coloured, imaginative compositions.
Alexis Preller: Africa, the Sun and Shadows
showcases a wide selection of the artist’s work,
as well as a number of artefacts, documents and
photographs relevant to his life. A contribution
to understanding Preller as one of South Africa’s
pre-eminent artists, and as a pioneer who defined
an African style in the 20th century, the exhibition
follows the last major exhibition of the artist’s
oeuvre – the Retrospective Exhibition at the Pretoria
Art Museum in 1972.
The exhibition is accompanied by Alexis Preller,
compiled by art historian, Esmé Berman, and
artist, Karel Nel. This comprehensive monograph
on the artist consists of two volumes: an extensive
biography of Preller and a collection of his works.
Enquiries: Hayden Proud, Tel. 021 467 4676
or email hproud@iziko.org.za.
Read Press Release >>
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Iziko South African Museum |
African Dinosaurs
Postponed until further notice
The first phase of this exciting exhibition opened
two years ago and included a huge skeleton of
a herbivorous dinosaur called Jobaria, as well
as the massive skull of the carnivorous dinosaur
Carcharodontosaurus. The entire exhibition is
about to open and now includes the skeleton
of a weird-looking large carnivorous dinosaur
called Suchomimus, as well as beautifully crafted
dioramas of dinosaur scenes. The exhibition
provides the complete story of dinosaurs, with
supporting fossils on display. The emphasis is on
dinosaurs that lived on the land that now makes
up the African continent, from some of the oldest
known dinosaurs discovered from fossils in South
Africa, to some of the largest dinosaurs known from
fossils uncovered in Niger and Morocco.
Enquiries: Hamish Robertson, Tel. 021 481 3897 or email hrobertson@iziko.org.za.
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Iziko South African Museum |
Subtle Thresholds: The representational taxonomies of disease
Ongoing
This exhibition by artist, Fritha Langerman, aims
to draw attention to some of the contemporary
debates surrounding biomedical visual and material
culture. Drawing on the collections of the Iziko
South African Museum, the University of Cape Town,
the Wits Adler Museum, and including new works by
the artist, the exhibition is primarily concerned with
the visual representation of disease.
Situated in the gallery between the social history
and natural history displays, the exhibition aims
to create a conceptual bridge between the two
areas within the museum by presenting a complex
visual network of the inter-relationships between
zoological, human and microbial worlds. In doing
so, Subtle Thresholds seeks to expose some of
the cultural and historical mythologies that have
contributed to the perception of disease as a state
of otherness and separation.
Enquiries: Hamish Robertson, Tel. 021 481 3897
or email hrobertson@iziko.org.za.
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Davy Dragon’s Guide to the
Night Sky
6 February – 21 March
Saturday & Sunday – 12:00
Extra show! 22 March – 12:00
Come and join Davy Dragon as he learns all
about the sky above so that he can fulfil his
dream of becoming the world’s best flying
dragon! This is a playful introduction to
astronomy. Just right for inquiring young
minds. For children aged 5–10.
For the School Holidays!
Sunshine Simon and the Dark Day
27 March – 11 April
Monday to Friday – 12:00 & 13:00
Saturday & Sunday – 12:00
One day Mister Sun didn’t come up! So
Sunshine Simon, a brave little sheep, and his
friend Robert were sent on a quest to fetch
Mister Sun. Did they succeed? Join them on
their adventure and find out! For children
aged 5–12.
Suitable for Teenagers & Adults
The Sky Tonight
Saturday & Sunday – 13:00
22 March – 13:00
An interesting live lecture on the current night
sky is presented every Saturday and Sunday.
You will receive a star map and be shown
where to find the constellations and planets
that are visible this month.
Bad Astronomy:
Myths and Misconceptions
Until 11 April
Monday to Friday – 14:00 (excluding
1 February, 1 & 22 March)
Tuesday evening – 20:00 (& sky talk)
Saturday & Sunday – 14:30
22 March – 14:30
Were the Apollo visits to the moon actually
a hoax? Have aliens landed on Earth? Can
you tell your future by the stars? Join the
‘Bad Astronomer’ as he takes a critical look
at popular myths and misconceptions to
show audiences how science can be used to
evaluate questionable claims.
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Izkio Education and Public Programmes |
Free Gallery visits for schools in February
Schools can apply for fully sponsored visits to the ISANG
to explore the exhibition: Strengths and Convictions:
The life and times of the South African Nobel Peace
Prize laureates. These excursions include interactive
gallery activities, a practical art-making session and
learning resources. The sponsored package covers the
cost of transport, entry fees, learning resources and art
materials. Twenty schools will be selected. Closing date
for applications is 25 January. Enquiries: Ayesha Price
and Kathy Coates.
Free books for school libraries
One thousand copies of the exhibition catalogue:
Strengths and Convictions: The life and times of the
South African Nobel Peace Prize laureates has been
made available for school libraries. The hardcover, fully
illustrated catalogues present views of South African
history in the context of the Nobel Peace laureates’ lives
and the role of art and artists in society.
Public Tours at the ISANG
Guided tours of all current exhibitions are available
from Tuesdays to Fridays, at 11 :00 and again at 13:00
– free of charge. Weekend tours conducted by special
arrangement. Enquiries and group bookings: Kathy
Coates or Ayesha Price.
Dada Workshops:
Costume-making and Performance
On 16 and 23 January, school learners will participate
in practical sessions involving costume, performance,
creative writing and collage. In February a teachers’
workshop explores both the Dada movement in Europe
and the influence it had on South African artists working
in the 1970s and 80s, with the relevant links to the FET
curriculum. Venue: Iziko South African National Gallery
and ISANG Annexe. Enquiries: Kathy Coates.
Slave Lodge
If you are interested in history, enjoy stories and acting,
and are creative, then this is the workshop for you! Step
into the past with us and explore a moment in our history.
You will hear stories about the real-life characters who
lived in one of the oldest houses in Cape Town. Bring
along your active imaginations and step into these
characters’ shoes to re-enact scenes from their lives,
and create your own. Dates: 5, 6, 7 January. Age Group:
8–11 (5, 7 January); 12–15 (6 January). Time: 10:00–13:00.
Venue: Koopmans-De Wet House, Strand Street. Cost: R10.
Enquiries: Deidre Rhodes.
Discovery Room
Bring your children to the Discovery Room during the
school holidays. In this special room, children explore
their senses by touching and feeling as they get
interactive with museum specimens, such as animals
and insects.
Discover the extra special senses of some animals.
Learn how they see and hear, compared to humans.
Also, find out what it is like to live without these senses.
Young visitors can draw what they enjoyed the most
in the Museum, and in the old Entomology office (this
office of long ago had no computers), you will realise
how technology has changed the world of our scientists.
Iziko Summer School Programme
30 January–7 March
Iziko’s annual multifaceted programme includes symposia,
public lectures, excursions, workshops and film screenings.
Details will be published in the press, on the Iziko website,
and brochures which will be available at all Iziko museum
sites. Enquiries: Wandile Kasibe. If you would like to receive
the Summer School programme via email, please email
wkasibe@iziko.org.za.
Human Rights Day
15–21 March
The Iziko EPP Department will organise a multifaceted
programme to celebrate Human Rights Day. Enquiries:
Wandile Kasibe.
Iziko Mobile Museum
The Iziko Mobile Museum is an ongoing educational project
designed to take educational museum resources to rural
and urban communities who are unable to visit the Iziko
museums. Visits are free of charge, but have to be booked
two months in advance. Enquiries: Sthembele Harmans.
Enquiries: Kathy Coates, Tel. 021 467 4669, or email
kcoates@iziko.org.za. Nadjwa Jones, Tel. 021 481 3817,
or email njones@iziko.org.za. Sthembele Harmans
or Wandile Kasibe, Tel. 021 481 3804/12, or email
publicprogs@iziko.org.za. Deidre Rhodes,
Tel. 021 480 8239. Ayesha Price, Tel. 021 467 4667,
or email aprice@iziko.org.za.
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Remembering Slavery
Current
The history of the Slave Lodge dates back to 1679
when it was built to serve as living quarters for the
men, women and children transported – mainly by
the VOC (Dutch East India Company) – as slaves to
the Cape during the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Cape was maintained by the VOC to support its
profitable Asian trading operations. These included
an extensive slave trade across the Indian Ocean
between South Asia, South-east Asia and Africa
to provide labour for the Dutch settlements in the
East Indies and the Cape. The VOC brought slaves
to the Cape from regions around the Indian Ocean,
including present-day Madagascar, Mozambique,
India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesian islands such as
Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Timor.
Over time, the slaves brought to the Cape from the
Indian Ocean basin came to outnumber the colonists.
For over 30 years after the abolition of the British
Ocean Slave Trade in 1807, the Cape remained a
slave society. Slavery and colonialism left a legacy
of servitude here and in many regions throughout
the world, and today, millions of men, women and
children still live in conditions close to slavery.
Informative exhibitions at the Iziko Slave Lodge
provide further insight into the history of slavery at
the Cape.
Enquiries: Fiona Clayton, Tel. 021 021 464 1261
or email fclayton@iziko.org.za.
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Maritime Centre
Situated in the scenic V&A Waterfront, the Iziko
Maritime Centre provides an overview of shipping in
Cape Town. Images depicting Table Bay from the
17th to 20th century give an idea of the
development of the harbour. Exhibitions include the
earliest existing model of Table Bay harbour,
completed in 1885 by prisoners and wardens of the
nearby Breakwater Prison, and a collection of ship
models and objects associated with shipping in Cape
Town, in particular the era of mail ships. A new
exhibition consisting of images, ship models and
objects gives insight into the Union-Castle Line and
shipwrecks around the Cape coast.
The John H. Marsh Maritime Research Centre
provides an archive of nearly 20 000 photographs,
depicting 9 551 ships dating from the late 1920s to
the early 1960s. It also has an online service for the
answering of queries regarding ships and for
ordering images of these ships at
http://rapidttp.co.za/museum/.
Enquiries: Thys van der Merwe, Tel. 021 405 2884
or 021 464 1261 or email marsh@iziko.org.za.
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Iziko Michaelis Collection |
Michaelis Collection
Examples of Dutch art from the 17th to the 20th
centuries in the Iziko Collections include the
esteemed Michaelis Collection, as well as the Henry
van den Bergh Bequest of 19th-century Dutch art
received via the National Art Collections Fund of
Great Britain in 1948. Significant works on paper
acquired by the Iziko South African National Gallery
over the years are also on display.
While alterations are being made to the Old Town
House to enhance disabled access, visitors can still
enjoy selections from the collection that remain
on view.
Enquiries: Hayden Proud, Tel. 021 467 4676
or email hproud@iziko.org.za.
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