#christut1

Victory

Marina abramovic

Not my favourite piece. Nothing I can point to that would make it 'bad' its barely a negative reaction. I'm just apathetic towards it

" The ever promised erection "

athi patra ruga

Quite like this piece

Marina Abramovic  Victory  Photograph mounted on aluminum 50.5 x 50.5 

1) A positive aspect of the Art Fair is the opportunity it gives to civilians to experience international and South African art. It is a fun atmosphere that is bursting with creativity and ultimately has a positive impact on the creative community amongst civilians. It is also a great method of exposure and marketing for galleries and up and coming artists. Dealers and buyers have the opportunity to seek new talent and work that they have not seen before. Through this event connections can be made and careers can be built.

2) A negative side to the fair is how it inexplicably run by and for capitalistic gain. Through expensive ticket sales, useless and expensive merchandise and ultimately unattainable art prices, the art fair only really caters for the top 1%. There focus on the VIP experience is also very concerning. They understand that these are the people who will be paying large amounts and therefore treat them “well”. This exclusivity breaks the idea that the fair is for all to enjoy.

3) Positive response 

Marina Abramovic

Victory

1997

Cibachrome

I think its wonderful that this piece was shown at the art fair. Through globalization we are able to view works that we wouldn't have physical access to due to it being oversees and hard to reach. Now international works are made accessible through fairs like these. 

Negative response

Edoardo Villa

Female form

1969

bronze -  edition ¼

This post will investigate the positive and negative effects of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, as well as explore the topic of globalisation within two works.

Positive effects of the ICTAF.

It is inspiring for young artists to be able to see so much local and international work in one place. It is also inspiring to see such a concerted effort put towards showcasing art in Cape Town. This is beneficial as it sparks conversation amongst circles and in the media, critically developing the art community and bringing it to attention. It’s important for growth and also for excitement.

Negative effects of the ICTAF.

The high ticket prices of the fair leads to financial segregation within the art viewing community. Only the middle to upper class can afford tickets to part take in what the art fair has to offer. This, as well as the high prices at the bar, brings an air of financial affluence to the fair which affects even the artworks themselves. Commodification ensues. Excitement surrounds the works that fetch the most money.

Servet Kocyigit “ My Heart (N.America)” 100x220cm.

Artist Serves Kocyigit is a migrant artist who was born in Turkey and moved to the Netherlands. He created My Heart is not made from stone during an art residency in Johannesburg in 2016.

His research explores how we define a country and its borders, as well as themes of migration, statelessness and citizenship. During his visit, Kocyigit defines Johannesburg through several landscape images, as well as uses maps with gems painted on them to define spaces around the world by their material deposits. This process of submersing oneself in another culture and space and of questioning the concept of borders, state and material supply are all relevant topics to do with globalisation.

Marina Abramović. Victory, 1997. Cibachrome print, mntd on aluminum. 123.5 x 123.5 cm. (48.6 x 48.6 in.)

Chris’s Tutorial 

The ICTAF positively contributes to the discovery and representation of up and coming artists, it also provides a space in which foreigners are able to engage with South African and African art in a way that boosts our economy. Overall it makes people interested and open to what Cape Town is capable of. International galleries and artists want to be showcased because of the level of globalisation we are at.

2.  There are a few negative impacts of the ICTAF include, due to a large international presence, it is possible that South African and African artists feel misrepresented, this also adds to the idea of the western art world taking over and “gentrifying” the African art scene.

The large commercial presence at the Fair in my opinion, shadows over the art in some aspects. This could be a negative impact on an artist who is not solely in it for the money, their intentions could be scrutinised.

Bevan de Wet

Fools Gold lll

2018

Ink and pigment on on hand made Sisal paper

Positive response to this work, I believe it depicts the consumerist culture we live and juxtapositions it with he element of hand made and hand crafted materials.

Ebenezer Akinola

Becoming…

2017

Oil on canvas

1.

I feel the ICTAF contributes positively to the tourism and economy of cape town; it attracts a lot of wealthy, creative and powerful foreigners to invest and come to cape town. the art fair also allows a lot of local artists to be discovered internationally and gives them amazing opportunities they usually wouldn't get.

2.

it creates a very closed off and privileged space that not everyone can access. it attracts a lot of buyers that might not actually know or care much about our local artists work or struggles they are just feeding into a consumerist system. it can lead our local artists to fall down that same consumerist rabbit hole and make art for the consumption rather than expression or actual passion.

Marinella Senatore

Bodies in Alliance

Politics of the Street I, 2019

Lightjet Print, Diasec and Acrylic Fabric

90 x 135 cm | Ed. of 3

globalisation allowed pussy riot to become aware of their support worldwide and allowed people work wide to acknowledge their movement and the issues they speak on in Russia which led to them coming and performing for their supporters in cape town up close and personal.

Vanessa beecroft

unknown

Truth be told I never went to the 2019 Investec Art Fair

However I feel like it is a fantastical terrible event. It brings an international scope onto South Africa’s art scene. It caters to artists and galleries presenting work.  At the same time it does create a certain exclusivity to this field of South African culture. Its for anyone. Just not everyone.

Ive only heard stories, seen instagram stories and cringed a little bit. Its good for what it does for foreigners in terms of South African art. I just dont think it will ever be a “capital” for art or any of that Jazz. South Africa needs to develop its art bubble for itself, so art and society intergrate nicely. Like two bears cuddling under snow. Not just let one bear go out into the world and leave the other one without a friend. South African Art has its site in the wrong place. Make it accessible for South African’s before we try and impress the world with it.

The End.