“There’s more to Cape Town’s identity than an awe-inspiring slab of mountain, magnificent beaches and acres of pretty Boland vineyards. It’s a city of design and creativity.
And while it may not be a powerhouse on a par with Johannesburg, it’s easily a focus of any conversation about ideas that Africa’s time has come or, to borrow the title of Time magazine’s December 2012 cover story, that ‘Africa is Rising’.
Cape Town’s … designation as a World Design Capital for 365 days will shortly become a tangible reality. The whole point of 2014, and the reason Cape Town was able to acquire the coveted status against fierce international competition, is that it’s perceived to have the ability to transform creatively into an inclusive, productive African city that ultimately bridges historic divides.
Which is why the Cape Town Art Fair is so important. It will extend the reach of this city’s – and this country’s – artistic output, helping to build inclusion at every level, breaking down barriers and informing visitors about a world that defines the unique cultural contexts of all of us”. Paul Duncan – curator.
The Cape Town Art Fair has been put on the map by Fiera Milano Exhibitions Africa, the African wing of experienced global exhibition experts Fiera Milano, organisers of MiArt Italy and Art International Istanbul. The brief was simple: To introduce a fresh, affable environment filled with contemporary art priced below ZAR50,000, but of exceptional quality.
One of the highlights is Donna Kukama, winner of the 2013 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Performance Art. ” There’s a cross section of high brow and ‘real deal’ art – the Keiskamma art project under the same roof as the knitted paintings from A Tangled Skein by controversial artist Barend de Wet who tattooed his penis to look like a piece of wood; a video on photographer Lindeka Qampi’s life by Liz Fish; a painting by CNN Africa’s featured artist Khanya Witbooi.
The Art Fair showcases an installation of new video work and includes performing artist, dance facilitator and poet Khanyisile Mgongwe, photographers Mikhael Subotzky and Haroon Gunn-Salie, satirist Cameron Platter curated by Gary Cotterell, editor of Wanted magazine.
Food as art also features and Strauss & Co will launch its online auction”. Lucida Jolly – Cape Times
Academic and guest curator Andrew Lamprecht believes that Cape Town could become the newest global art capital thanks to the Art Fair. It’s a ground-breaking exhibition, an entire contemporary art experience of international standards, all under one roof: established, young and emerging artists; interactive talks and presentations; lively debate between artists, galleries, collectors and visitors, and all in a spectacular setting at The Lookout at the historic V&A Waterfront.