What’s on at Innovation ZA 2015
The programme for this year’s Innovation ZA is as exciting as ever. Here’s a look at what we have in store.
Following the success of Innovation ZA in 2014, British Council Connect ZA presents the second programme of arts and technology events, which runs from 20 August to 12 September 2015.
The creative district of Braamfontein, Johannesburg, will again play host to the festival.
Innovation ZA 2015 is a curated four-weeks of events and activities exploring the convergence of the arts (across disciplines) and technology, taking place during Fak’ugezi African Digital Innovation Festival.Â
 The ambitious programme engages creative and digital practitioners, from South Africa and the UK, to work together and share skills to achieve every-day possibilities.
We are also pleased to highlight the female leaders in the tech and digital arts space, many of the local and UK mentors and curators are women. Through the many activities we hope to increase exposure of the industry to young female South Africans.
I/ZA@Ithuba - Ithuba Arts Gallery: Friday, 21 August –  Saturday, 12 September 2015
British Council Connect ZA is taking over Ithuba Arts Gallery to create an inclusive space for collaborative activity, ranging from event specific workshops, public engagements, parties, open installations, film screenings and more. In the area and need a meeting spot with wifi and coffee? Come on over and occupy I/ZA @Ithuba!
Film Screenings - I/ZA@Ithuba
A unique viewing experience South African and UK produced films will be take place at I/ZA@Ithuba.
 Public Installations and Takeovers - I/ZA@Ithuba
Look out for the open call to apply to create installations in or occupy the space.
Maker Library Network - I/ZA@Ithuba, Alexandra and Soweto: Friday, 21 August – Sunday, 6 September 2015
The Maker Library events (including Make Spaces and workshops) will be found on the streets of Braamfontein and at I/ZA @Ithuba. MLN pop-ups will also take place in Alexandra and Soweto.
This British Council Connect ZA initiated project has taken off and is expanding globally connecting makers and designers around the world.Â
Look out for call-outs to participate in Maker Library Network activities.
Market Hack @The Grove at Southpoint  – Saturday, 29, August 2015
Watermans (UK), Wits University (through Fak’ugezi) and British Council Connect ZA have partnered to bring unusual technological goods to Innovation ZA, for the second time. Having grown in popularity, the 2015 Hack will accommodate even more visitors and passers-by, who will be able to engage in all manner of creative tech; expanding on last year’s soft-circuits, conductive ink and DIY synthesisers.
Fak'gesi’s Digital Africa Residency co-curator, and curator of the Market Hack, Irini Papadimitrou (Watermans, UK) hopes that this year’s Market Hack can put down roots and...Â
“become a more regular event bringing together SA & Johannesburg makers from different spaces and areas, DIY media communities, designers, technologists, students ...”
Emerging Promoters workshop, I/ZA@Ithuba – Thursday 3 September 2015
Kazim Rashid of WARP Records (UK) is featured panellist at this public workshop aimed at empowering emerging promoters hosted by the Breathe Sunshine African Music Conference. The marketing expert and DJ will be based in South Africa for a three-month residency. During this period he will host music events and workshops in Cape Town and Joburg.
Mobile Maker Library, Soweto - Saturday, 5 September & Alexandra – Monday, 7 September 2015
In a first ever: MLN and Market Hack joins A MAZE in taking technology to an audience that is often excluded from city technology festivals. These sessions include workshops, short talks, hands on activities, exhibitions.Â
Members of the Market Hack will be participating in these popup sessions.
onedotzero cascade za, I/ZA @Ithuba  – Mon, 7 – Sat, 12 September
onedotzero (UK) returns to Innovation Month with their award winning cascade_za for another series of workshops, catalysing collaborations between young creatives from a range of disciplines. This year’s mentors include Fak'gesi’s Digital Africa residents Ling Tan, from civic tech innovators Umbrellium, and artist Jepchumba, founder of africandigitalart.com. The project will culminate in a public showcase and Innovation Month closing party at Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival.
The deadline to participate has been extended to 16 August.
Creative and Digital Hustles, I/ZA @Ithuba – dates tbc
Young people interested in creative and digital entrepreneurial practice are invited to join in for the Creative and Digital Hustles. High profile and relevant to the industry’s in discussion, panellists have ranged from including onedotzero's Sophie Walter, Mindfulness Everywhere’s Rohan Gunatillake and Dark & Lovely Global Roots’ Thris Tian.
These interactive events have been hosted in partnership with Live Magazine since 2013.
Body Tech, I/ZA @Ithuba & DIZ Alleyway (Smit Str) – 4 & 5 September 2015
Making its debut at Innovation ZA 2015, The Ar(t)chive presents Body Tech - bringing together the execution of performance art and digital technology. More to follow.
This series of projects is part of the SA-UK Seasons 2014 & 2015 which is a partnership with the Department of Arts & Culture, South Africa and the British Council.
