Waterfront Exhibition
// April 18th, 2010 // Latest News
For many, the year 2010 will be remembered as the year South Africa hosted the soccer World Cup. However, the only reason we can host this prestigious tournament is because we have become a democratic country and 2010 is the 20 year anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. The 27th of April is Freedom Day, a day set aside to celebrate the first democratic elections in South Africa. The process of democratising the country was started in symbol when Nelson Mandela was released from prison 20 years ago.
To celebrate this poignant date, the V&A Waterfront, in collaboration with RIACT, has commissioned an exhibition of works themed around Robben Island where Nelson Mandela and many other political prisoners were incarcerated. Many of the artworks will incorporate pieces of the original Robben Island fencing which kept the prisoners captive those many years.
The exhibition, titled Time On Our Hands, has been curated by Justin Brett, who holds a Masters in Fine Arts and curated the 2009 Michaelis graduation exhibition. His work has also been accepted into the 2010 Spier Contemporary, currently on exhibition at the Town Hall (until the 15th May 2010).
The installation piece which has been erected outside the Clock Tower in the Waterfront was created and constructed by Chris Swift, using the original Robben Island fencing. Chris Swift has been in the spotlight of late after winning the 2009 Michaelis prize and having two of his pieces accepted into the 2010 Spier Contemporary competition, the largest contemporary art competition in South Africa. His run of success reached the next level when he was selected as one of the winners of the Spier Contemporary. His works are currently part of the exhibition at the Town Hall (until the 15th May 2010).
One of the two works was titled Nelson’s Column and consists of a 6m tower of sheets of the original Robben Island fencing. This work is located outside the front entrance of the Town Hall and is the inspiration for the installation outside the Robben Island Museum at the Waterfront. The installation piece is called Nelson’s Column (Ghost) and stands 9 metres tall, also constructed using the Robben Island fencing. The public will be invited to participate by writing their comments on ribbons and attaching them to the structure.
The exhibition itself is located inside the mall (in the old Manenberg’s jazz cafe). Several past and current Michaelis students have created pieces which reflect their feelings and opinions regarding the role of Robben Island during this monumental stage in the history of South Africa.
The exhibition will end on Freedom day, and in a gesture symbolic of the dismantling of Apartheid, the exhibition will be disassembled on that day.
