May 2014 Diary

An olive festival in Riebeek Valley, South Africa’s second annual sculpture fair in Johannesburg, Grand Designs Live, the Good Food and Wine show and some fab Mother’s Day treats are just a few of the events to watch out for this merry month of May.

Ongoing

V&A Market on The Wharf
Nobel Square, between the Two Oceans Aquarium and the V&A Hotel, Cape Town 
The V&A Market on The Wharf is quickly entrenching its position as Cape Town’s ultimate gastronomic destination. An array of artisanal foods, on-site demo kitchens and a kids entertainment area are just a few of its laurels. The market is open all day Wednesday to Sunday. 

Neighbourhood Goods Market
The Old Biscuit Mill, 373 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
Every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9am to 2pm, this is the hotspot for locavores. Expect over 100 specialty traders including local farmers, fine-food purveyors, organic merchants, bakers, grocers, mongers, butchers, artisan producers, celebrated local chefs and micro enterprises – not to forget the designers. Get there early for parking. 

Neighbourhood Goods Market
73 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Every Saturday, from 9am to 3pm, this is the younger cousin of the Cape Town mother event. Not quite as big and epic, but steadily growing alongside the exciting Braamies rejuvenation. 

City Bowl Food Market
14 Hope Street, Gardens, Cape Town, citybowlmarket@gmail.com 
Every Thursday from 4.30pm to 8.30pm and Saturday from 9am to 2pm, this food and wine market offers easy access to fresh produce and tasty fare. Thursdays in particular have become quite a social affair and Saturdays sometimes also have a fashion component. 

Capital Urban Market
107 Corobay Avenue, Menlyn Maine, Pretoria
Capital Urban Market is a new Pretoria inner-city market forming part of the Cool Capital 2014 citizen-driven initiative to revitalise and restore the inner-city, and give local designers and entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase and expand their brand. Read more here. 

Silence
Art in the Yard, The Yard, 38 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek, 021 876 4280
Until 6 May, Frans Smit will be showcasing his latest portraits that set up a barrier focusing our sense of sight and eliminating all other senses to create a chilling silence. 

Golden Age Rising
Whatiftheworld Gallery, 1 Argyle Street, Woodstock, Cape Town, 021 802 3111
Until 10 May, immerse yourself in the world of Daniella Mooney with her new exhibition of crystal sculptures. 

Retrospective
Iziko South African National Gallery, Government Avenue, Cape Town, 021 467 4660
Until 11 May, is the first major solo exhibition of artist Rotimi Fani-Kayode whose photographs constitute a profound narrative of sexual and cultural difference. The black male body becomes the focal point of photographic enquiry in his large-scale colour and black-and-white portraits.

Red
Goethe-Institut Johannesburg, 119 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, 011 442 3232
Until 17 May Simon Gush examines the larger political and social story of a red Mercedes Benz 500 SE that was presented to Nelson Mandela in July 1990 that also resulted in a wildcat sleep-in strike that closed production at the factory. It consists of both installation elements and a new documentary.

Commute with Intuitive Instinct
Oro Africa Building, first floor, 170 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town, 021 424 5150
Until 17 May, you are invited to attend an exhibition of local and international video artworks and installations as curated by Portia Malatjie. Artists include the likes of Michelle Monareng, Mocke J van Veuren, Theresa Collins, Bofa da Cara (Nástio Mosquito and Pere Ortín) and others. 

In His State of Madness
Gallery MOMO, 52 Seventh Avenue, Parktown North, Johannesburg, 011 327 3247
Until 19 May, engage in the colourful award-winning artworks of Blessing Ngobeni, described as “fiercely critical of South Africa’s political elite”. 

Lasers in the Jungle
The Gallery, Grande Provence, Main Road, Franschoek, 021 876 8630
Until 20 May, Lucinda Mudge will be showcasing her latest collection of signature satirical ceramic vases commenting on how we relate to the themes of beauty, wealth and fear in a South African context as well as how these are all connected. Read more here.

Gravity: A Visual Exploration
Salon91, 91 Kloof Street, Gardens, 021 424 6930 
Until 24 May, an all-female illustration and multidisciplinary exhibition consisting of artists Dani Loureiro, Cassandra Leigh Johnson, Tess Metcalf, Nina Torr, Mariëtte Bergh and Maaike Bakker, plays on the idea of opposing gravity, defying it and also being fascinated by it. 

The Problem of Crossing a Bridge
KZNSA Gallery, Bulwer Road, Durban, 031 277 1705
Until 31 May, you can see the first solo exhibition of 2011 Gerard Sekoto Prize-winner, sculptor Isabel Mertz. Based on a quote by Heraclitus, “no man ever steps into the same river twice, for its not the same river and he is not the same man” the artist presents her art as a journey that is not quite completed to engage the viewer in her encounters with the ‘unmappable’.

Rainbow Transit
Castle of Good Hope, corner of Darling and Buitenkant streets, Cape Town, 021 787 1249
Until 1 June, extended due to popular demand, Swedish-born photographer Per-Anders Pettersson showcases his documentation of the transition of South Africa’s rainbow nation post 1994.

The Purple Shall Govern
Standard Bank Gallery, corner of Simmonds and Frederick streets, Johannesburg, 011 631 4467
Until 7 June, Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for 2013, Mary Sibande will showcase her deeper, somewhat darker art exploration of personal anxieties and preoccupations with birth, rebirth, growth and death. Even if you have seen it before, she has also especially created some new works for this exhibition. 

The Needle and The Damage Done
David Krut Projects, Montebello Design Centre, 31 Newlands Avenue, Newlands, 021 685 0676
Until 29 June see Diane Victor’s first solo exhibition of her extraordinary prints in Cape Town since 2008. Spanning works created between 2008 and 2013, some even as early as 1986, she tackles “the big ‘catholic’ sins – greed, lust, envy and excess” on both a political and individual level. 

Friday 2 May 2014

Mill Junction Tour
Mill Junction, 66 Carr Street, Newtown, 074 272 8828
From 3pm to 4pm. The conversion of the former grain silos in Newtown, Johannesburg into trendy student accommodation is now complete and home to 400 students. Costs R50 for members and R60 for non-members. Limited to 20 visitors. RSVP to attend. Read our article about Mill Junction here.

Saturday 3 May 2014

The Riebeek Valley Olive Festival
Various venues across Riebeek Valley, 022 448 1545
Until 4 May, you can make your way to these charming villages at the foot of the Kasteelberg for the annual festival celebrating a wide array of olive produce, olive body products, entertainment, food and good old fashioned and down-to-earth hospitality – the perfect weekend getaway. Tickets cost R100. Book online.

Ekfrasis
Potchefstroom Museum, 38 Sol Plaatjie Street, 084 840 9337
Until 9 May sculptor Frank Pereira revisits the poetry of South African poet TT Cloete in his first solo exhibition.

Selfshots
CIRCA Gallery, 2 Jellicoe Road, Rosebank, 011 788 4805
Until 24 May, Hentie van der Merwe’s solo exhibition that encompasses a very complex means of photo appropriation, reflection and manipulation can be viewed. The process involved in producing these images, both as a physical act and metaphorical gesture, is important to the concept of the series. Opens at 10am. 

Monday 5 May 2014

Shades of Red and Visualising the Creative Process
artSPACE Durban, 3 Millar Road, 031 312 0793
Until 24 May, you can see the work of more than 30 artists invited to use only the colour red (and shades of it). Recent fine art graduate, Swany on the other hand presents his personal academic journey of an art student maps the creative process itself.

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Another Day
Erdmann Contemporary, 63 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town, 021 422 2762
Melanie Cleary finds her projects and inspiration in unexpected moments and places, and her third solo exhibition covering one of the oldest special needs children’s homes in South Africa is no different. Be captivated by the sensitive black-and-white photography documenting everyday life in the home.

Thursday 8 May 2014

First Thursdays
Central Cape Town, goodevening@first-thursdays.co.za
Kick-starting every month with a bang is First Thursdays, when various galleries, shops and eateries in central Cape Town open their doors until 9pm and the city becomes a museum like no other.  

Con/Struct
The Cabinet, 64a Wale Street, Cape Town, Western Cape, 082 084 4422
Until 31 May, the newly permanent pop-up gallery (read more here) hosts Justin Plunkett’s solo exhibition of new limited-edition digital prints. Using his own photography, he creates new juxtaposed environments that encourage questioning and exploration. Opens at 5pm.

OH_Thursdays
5 Ohlsson Way, Newlands, 021 422 3803, tours@oharchitecture.com
As part of its World Design Capital 2014 project, OH Architecture hosts a tour of an architect’s house (roughly) every other Thursday. Booking is essential. Costs R50 to enter. Free for students. Starts at 6pm.

Commute with Intuitive Instinct Walkabout
Brundyn+, Oro Africa Building, first floor, 170 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town, 021 424 5150
At 7pm curator Portia Malatjie will talk about the exhibition that showcases both international and local artists’ video exploration of public space as an influential area constructed, ideologically and physically, to serve a particular purpose and how it affects and even controls our movements.

De-Con-Structure
Intoto Gallery, 6 Birdhaven Centre, 66 St Andrew Street, Birdhaven, 011 447 6543
Until 9 June, artists Leanne Shakenovsky and Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum examines the ways in which we see the world by engaging in a vocabulary that encourages questions rather than answers. They challenge how financial value is attributed to artworks as well as the recipe of the “perfect family”. Opens at 6pm.

Mirror Image
Museum of African Design (MOAD), 281 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg, 011 592 0517
Until 8 June Niall Bingham will present his new body of work including paintings, installations, photography, prints, drawings and a short film. Often working collaboratively with fellow artists, his explorations in various media challenge the notion of authorship and maps the artistic community with which he associates. The premier of his film I Am Niall is at 7pm at The Bioscope and the exhibition opens thereafter at 8pm.

Friday 9 May 2014

JVB Relocation Sale
8 Desmond Street, Kramerville, Johannesburg, 011 262 4118
Until 24 May, JVB has some fab furniture pieces with discounts of up to 90% off up for grabs before they move to a brand new showroom at 9 Kramer Road.

African Metropolis
The Bioscope Independent Cinema, Main Street Life, 286 Fox Street, Maboneng Precinct, 011 039 7306
Until 18 May, see a compilation of six short feature films, set in six major African cities (Abidjan, Cairo, Dakar, Johannesburg, Lagos and Nairobi) ushering in a unique partnership towards a new African cinema. Each film tells the urban tale about life in the African metropolis. Vincent Moloi contributed the South African component, which tells the story of an ageing white man dealing with the demographical changes happening in Berea, Johannesburg.

Saturday 10 May 2014

In His State of Madness Walkabout
Gallery MOMO, 52 Seventh Avenue, Parktown North, Johannesburg, 011 327 3247
From 12 to 1pm, engage with artist Blessing Ngobenias he talks about his second solo show, described as “fiercely critical of South Africa’s political elite”. 

Mirror Image Walkthrough
Museum of African Design (MOAD), 281 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg, 011 592 0517
At 11am Niall Bingham will be discussing his latest body of work in which his explorations in various media with other artists challenges the notion of authorship and maps the artistic community with which he associates. 

Commute with Intuitive Instinct Walkabout
Oro Africa Building, first floor, 170 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town, 021 424 5150
At noon, curator Portia Malatjie will talk about the exhibition that showcases both international and local artists’ video exploration of public space as an influential area constructed, ideologically and physically, to serve a particular purpose and how it affects and even controls our movements.

Lucent
Art in the Yard, The Yard, 38 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek, 021 876 4280
Until 4 June, catch a joint exhibition by Vanessa Berlein, a top 40 finalist at the 2013 SPI National Portrait Award (see all of the finalists here), and Francois Irvine, owner and curator of Haas Cape Town, will be showing their latest abstract landscape works. Opens at 11am.

Winter Sculpture Fair
Nirox Foundation Sculpture Park, 24 Kromdraai Road, Krugersdorp, Cradle of Humankind, 011 447 3868
Until 11 May, take a leisurely stroll through the park and view nearly 100 sculptures by more than 50 contemporary artists, after which a selection of Franschhoek’s finest food and wine will provide the perfect fare for a relaxing gourmet picnic with family and friends. Tickets cost R100.

Sunday 11 May 2014

Mother’s Day feast
La Mouette Restaurant, 78 Regent Road, Sea Point, 021 433 0856
Give your mom the day off and treat her to six courses of deliciousness. Starts at R295. Reservations required.

Mother’s Day Buffet Lunch, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party or Me Time for Mom
One&Only Cape Town, Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 021 431 5888
Spoil your mom with a decadent lunch from either Reuben’s or Nobu; or nibble on some beautifully crafted sweets and savouries and stand a chance to win some fab prizes for the quirkiest, craziest hat at the afternoon tea; or book her in for some indulgent pampering at the multi award-winning spa.

Sample (I-VIII)
NIROXprojects, Arts On Main, 249 Fox Street, corner of Main Road, Maboneng, Johannesburg, 072 350 4326
Until 1 June, get a glimpse of the work of Nicole Levenberg, who has long been blurring the lines between design, decor and art, in a one-of-a-kind exhibition.

Monday 12 May 2014

Soft Walls, Human Zoo and Better Together
Association for Visual Arts Gallery, 35 Church Street, Cape Town, 021 424 3674
Until 5 June, Sydelle Willow Smith figuratively investigates the subtle ways in which African nationals and South Africans make sense of their space, experiences and complexities in Soft Walls; while Anya Adendorff draws on her architectural background to represent her view of the urban masses and their seemingly pointless endeavours in Human Zoo. Better Together entails Cameron Platter transforming the gallery facade into a contemporary work of art, the result of a partnership with Dulux and in celebration of World Design Capital 2014. 

Urban Eco pop-up shop
Yswara, 57 Sixth Street, Parkhurst, Johannesburg, 010 590 1273/74
Until 6 June, discover a more urban, eco-friendly way of living with beautiful brands like Bacsac, Brooks England and Simple Sam.

Tuesday 13 May 2014

Litmus Skin
Gallery on Leviseur, 59 Dan Pienaar Drive, Westdene, Bloemfontein, 051 444 1683
Until 2 June, contemplate the work of Bernice Stott, who presents a solo exhibition that evokes a childhood of both horror and delight. Using red as the primary colour, it is a symbol of violence, blood, passion, victimhood and wounds. Opens at 6.30pm.

Wednesday 14 May 2014

Revolting Music: A Brief Survey of the Songs that Liberated South Africa
Brundyn+, Oro Africa Building, first floor, 170 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town, 021 424 5150
As part of the monthly Brundyn Talks series, composer and librettist Neo Muyanga will talk about protest songs that played a key role in South Africa’s liberation. Starts at 6pm. RSVP to attend.

Shift
Art Eye Gallery, The Design Quarter, Bryanston, 011 465 7695
Check out the urban and edgy art of photographer David Ballam from 6.30pm. 

Friday 16 May 2014

Franschhoek Literary Festival
Various locations around Franschhoek
Be a part of the eighth annual literary weekend in which local and international writers gather in Franschhoek to discuss the latest books, writing issues, controversial topics and our country’s political situation post-election, through fiction, poetry and history. There is also a special pre-event programme for school-going children. Purchase your tickets here. 

Saturday 17 May 2014

Mirror Image Walkthrough
Museum of African Design (MOAD), 281 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg, 011 592 0517
At 11am Niall Bingham will be discussing his latest body of work in which his explorations in various media with other artists challenges the notion of authorship and maps the artistic community with which he associates. 

Paint Techniques Workshop
Chapters, Fontainbleau (Randburg), Johannesburg, 082 330 4203
Learn to transform an ordinary piece of furniture (or any household item) with a little bit of paint, sandpaper and glaze. Costs R500 per person (including tea and coffee). From 9am to 12.30pm. Book here.

Tuesday 20 May 2014

Urban Projections: 20×20 Architectural Art Auction
The Bank, 71 Harrington Street, Cape Town
Started by the class of Masters architecture students of 2013, the silent Art Auction night is a fundraiser for the class research trip and consists of the each student producing three 20x20cm creative works based on the theme of “Urban Projections”. The public then write their bids below the artworks on the night. It is also a great opportunity for emerging designers, professionals, artists and the public to interact with architecture. Starts at 5.30pm.

Thursday 22 May 2014

True Colours
Barnard Gallery, 55 Main Street, Newlands, 021 671 1553
Until 10 July, artist Ndikhumbule Ngqinambi will exhibit a range of works that deal with the conflicting discourses around truth, memory and history. Guest speaker Athi Mongezeleli Joja will be present. Starts at 6pm.

Third Thursdays
East City Cape Town, goodevening@first-thursdays.co.za
Following the great success of First Thursdays, Third Thursdays puts the East City on the map with various galleries, shops and eateries opening their doors until 9pm. Start off at the District Six Museum and move on up to Roeland, Harrington, Buitenkant and Canterbury streets. Make sure to drop in at the 1 000 Drawings doodle session at the Field Office from 6.30pm, read more here.

Friday 23 May 2014

Grand Designs Live
Coca-Cola Dome, corner of Northumberland Road and Olievenhout Avenue, North Riding, Johannesburg, 011 794 5800
Until 26 May, be inspired by all things grand at this one-stop destination for home inspiration. Featuring some of the top local home design, decor, garden and construction brands, there are sure to be loads of incredible ideas to make use of. Tickets cost R85.

Saturday 24 May 2014

2014/2015 Trend Forecast by Dave Nemeth
Chapters, Fontainbleau (Randburg), Johannesburg, 082 330 4203
Get on trend with the latest happenings in the interior design, architecture, furniture, and decor industries. Costs R500 per person (including tea and coffee). From 9am to 12.30pm. Book here.

Somewhere Between Here Finnisage
Room, 70 Juta Precinct, Juta Street, corner De Beer Street, Braamfontein, 011 074 4944
Join photographer Mack Magagane as he tempts, lures and seduces one in an intimate photographic journey that captures temporal relationships, spaces and moments found when experiencing a city as somewhat foreign. Starts at 6.30pm.

Sunday 25 May 2014

Pop Up Winemakers Lunch
Hartenberg Estate, M23 Bottelary Road, off the R304, Stellenbosch, 021 865 2541
This seasonal Bottelary Hills Wine event will feature the likes of chef Craig Cormack who will be cooking up a French-inspired feast in the underground cellar. R275 gets you a wine tasting, four-course meal and a glass of wine per course. Bookings are essential. Starts at 12.30pm.

Monday 26 May 2014

Exhale
artSPACE Durban, 3 Millar Road, 031 312 0793
Until 14 June. In this show artists were encouraged to take a deep breath, reassess what the process of making art means to their true intentions, and then work from that place. A variety of disciplines including printmaking, sculpture, ceramics and painting are represented by the likes of Suraya Tewary, Deidre Maree, Louise Jennings, Vulindlela Nyoni, and Jackie Freer. Opens at 6.30pm.

Tuesday 27 May 2014

WDC2014 Projects Fifth Pitching Session
The Pavilion Conference Centre, Clock Tower Centre, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Make dreams come true and put your money behind the WDC2014 projects that move you in an entertaining and stimulating evening. From 5pm to 8pm. Tickets cost R50. Get yours here. 

Wednesday 28 May 2014

Dear Mr Mandela, Dear Mrs Parks and Freedom XX
The University Museum, 52 Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch (Sasol Art Museum), 021 808 3691
Until 31 December, Dear Mr Mandela, Dear Mrs Parks is inspired by the late human rights activist Rosa Parks as well as the hundreds of children around the world who wrote letters to Nelson Mandela. The staff of the university museum crowd-curated Freedom XX, with each member selecting an artwork and writing a short curatorial statement. Both form part the university-wide celebrations of 20 Years of Freedom.

Black Sheep Cashmere Pop-Up Shop
Coco Karoo Interiors, The Old Scout Hall, 17 Durban Road, Chelsea Village, Wynberg, 060 508 0141
Until 29 May, you can get your hands on the latest Winter 2014 Collection of pure Italian cashmere designer clothing, just in time to fight off the winter chill. Drinks and snacks served from 4pm on Thursday evening.

Other Dust
Salon91, 91 Kloof Street, Cape Town, 021 424 6930
Until 21 June, there will be a solo exhibition of paintings and illustrations by Andrew Sutherland. Created almost entirely, by referencing his growing archive of photographs, postcards and memorabilia, this new body of work provides a glimpse into the fascinating history and practices of documented cultures and civilizations from around the world. Starts at 6.30pm. 

Thursday 29 May 2014

Good Food and Wine Show
Cape Town International Convention Centre, 021 702 2280
Until 1 June, nominated as the World Design Capital flagship food event, you are encouraged to explore your inner foodie. Focusing on new sensations, foraging, sustainability and world food design trends, it guarantees to be a feast for the senses for the whole family. Tickets available at Computicket and at the door.

Artist Dinner
Est 1912, 1912 Gumede Street, Soweto, 072 496 7337
Join gallerist and ideator of EST1912 Arts and Culture Hub Nomazulu Taukobong, curator at Unisa Art Gallery Jacob Lebeko and Soweto-based musician and art activist Faya Uman Teekay for dinner, wine and a short performance as they unpack the composition of a robust art economy from an international perspective. Starts at 6pm and costs R50 per person.

CVLTVS
Circa Gallery, 2 Jellicoe Road, Rosebank, 011 788 4805
Until 28 June. In this exhibition French artist Claude Jammet explores the aspects of Christian rituals – French Catholicism in particular – from an agnostic and feminist perspective in a series of paintings of rare beauty.

Looking Up
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS Business Scholl), 26 Melville Road, Illovo, 082 784 6695
Until 19 June. Get a new perspective of downtown Johannesburg’s architectural heritage with this series of drawings by Nick Walsh. Opening by Brian McKechnie at 6pm. RSVP to attend.

Africa Junctions
Goethe-Institut Gallery, 119 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, 011 442 3232
Until 4 July, you can see a selection of multi-layered photographic artworks by Lard Buurman. Spanning 14 cities in 12 countries in Africa over a period of six years, the photos not only challenge expectations of these urban hubs, but also the assumed accuracy of “documentary photography”. Opens at 6.30pm.

Friday 30 Mary 2014

African Metropolis
The Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town, 021 424 5927
Until 5 June. See a compilation of six short feature films, set in six major African cities (Abidjan, Cairo, Dakar, Johannesburg, Lagos and Nairobi) ushering in a unique partnership towards a new African cinema. Each film tells the urban tale about life in the African metropolis. Vincent Moloi contributed the South African component, which tells the story of an ageing white man dealing with the demographical changes happening in Berea, Johannesburg. Costs R35.

Save the date

28 May
Plascon 2014 Colour Design Awards deadline

3 to 13 July
National Arts Festival
Grahamstown, South Africa

7 July
Cobra Product Design Competition Deadline

17 to 20 July
Turbine Art Fair
Turbine Hall, 65 Ntemi Piliso Street, Newtown, Johannesburg, 011 575 3888

30 July
PPC Imaginarium Awards deadline

31 July to 3 August
Good Food and Wine Show
Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg

3 to 7 August
Architecture Otherwhere
37 Margaret Mncadi Avenue, Victoria Embankment, Durban

6 to 10 August
Decorex Johannesburg
Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg

7 August 2014
PG Bison 1.618 Competition Deadline

31 August
Rado Star Prize deadline

4 to 7 September
Cape Homemakers Expo
Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town

25 September to 5 October
Cape Town Fringe
Various locations around Cape Town

16 to 18 October
Spier Secret Festival
Spier Wine Farm, R310 Stellenbosch, 021 809 1100

30 October to 2 November
Photo & Film Expo
Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg

This page is constantly updated, so browse back regularly to stay in the loop. If you would like your event featured, email details to web@visi.co.za.