|
t was a mammoth task to choose 100 finalists from over 2 700 entries for the Spier
Contemporary exhibition. Digital art and photography emerged very clearly as popular mediums for this year’s competition, which also includes strong sculptural and performance arts dimensions.
Mwenya Kabwe, one of the five-member the curatorial team, says; “There was an enormous amount of art. Making the selection entailed endless hours of debate between our team members. Whilst we were enriched by our journey through South Africa’s creative landscape, it was exhausting!”
Says, Jay Pather, another member of the team: “Contemporary art is a measure of our society. A lot of the work reflects the search for identity – it suggests that we are a nation in crisis. Themes of cynicism, fear and a lack of faith in our leadership are definitely present. We did not seek to narrate or shape this reflection. It is what it is and often art speaks to us because it echoes our truth.”
Within the soul-searching, there are however many moments of wry humour, playfulness and some extraordinary musings on human nature. Soccer commentary also emerged as a strong theme, with many artists questioning the hype and absence of real community benefits surrounding the forthcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Work has begun on the Cape Town City Hall – the exhibition’s first home. Commissioned architect - Nabeel Essa, will be creating an interpretive space within the grandeur of the Edwardian building.
Finalists
With a total prize money of R1.2-million and six artist in residency programmes (to places as far afield as South Korea and Brazil) to be awarded – there is much at stake for the following finalists:
Aries, Eugene; * Allen, Janine; * Arbi, Lindi; * Barron, John; * Bird, Stuart;
Blackman, Matthew; * Bloch, Joanne; * Bloomer, David; * Bollers, Richard Letsatsi;
Bolton, Brydon; * Borzechowski, Candice; * Brett, Justin; * Brin8cat, Bruno;
Bristow, Tegan; * Buys, Elizabeth; * Campbell, Kurt; * Cane, Jonathan;
Chauke, Richard; * Clayton, James; * Cleary, Melanie; * Coetzer, Lean;
Dardagan Britz, Roxandra; * de Clermont, Araminta; * de Jesus, Angela;
Eksteen, Frikkie; * Elliot, Nicola; * Essop, Hasan; * Essop, Husain; * Froud, Gordon;
Galloway, Frina; * Garnham, Jonathan; * Gregory, Jessica; * Gundula, Ndivhuwo;
Halter, Dan; * Hattingh, Gerrit; * Hindley, Matthew; * Hlatshwayo, Zakhele Moses;
Jones, Sarah; * Kalil, Matthew; * Kayumba-wa-Yafolo, Philippe; * Koloane, David;
Kuijers, Arie; * Le Roux, Neil; * Leibbrandt, Tim; * Lele, Sents8o; * Liebenberg, Nina;
Liesching, Carla; * Lloyd, Jacky; * Lourens, Elsa; * MacGarry, Michael;
Maggs, Daniel; Malievic, Maja; * Marie, Zen;* Marsberg, Christopher; * Marsh, Dillon;
Martin, William John; * Marx, Maja; * Maurice, Emile; * Mbikayi, Maurice;
McInnes, Jacki; * Meeran, Jean; * Modisakeng, Mohau; * Mothapo, Frans Masobe;
Murry, Brett; * Nkononde, Mxulisi; * Nxumalo, Vusumuzi Derrick; * Nyamza, Mamela;
Parton, Carolyn; * Payne, Colin; * Penn, Richard; * Petersen, Dawood; * Pio, Kurt;
Platter, Cameron; * Pooler, Lucy; * Rikhotso, Philip; * Robertson, Dave
Saayman, Wilhelm; * Scholtz, Brink; * Scott, Johannes; * Sebidi, Helen
Sieberhagen, Jaco; * Smit, Sonja; * Solomon, Jane; * Strack van Schyndel, Anthony;
Suskin, Karen; * Swanepool, Nicolene; * Swift, Christoper;
Thibeletsa, Motseokae Klass; * Thobejane, Lucas Nkahloleng; * Tshie, Rudolph;
van der Schijff, Johann; * Van Tonder, Francois; * Van Wyk, Roelof; * Webb, James;
Whitehead, Hanje; * Mazibuko, Xolile; * Young, Ed; * Yudelman, Dale;
Ziqubu, Sicelo; * Zondi, Mlu
Winners will be announced on 13 March 2010.
For more information – www.spiercontemporary.co.za
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT8t6XuUYI8&feature=channel |
