The rugs that a dream team of South African Designers and contemporary artists have created for luxury lodge Molori Safari are almost too gorgeous to tread on.

The ultra-cool series of rugs that now electrify the living spaces of the exclusive Molori Safari in the North West’s Madikwe Game Reserve originated in the height of Covid.

It was during the constrained days of early lockdown that Megan Hesse and Andrea Kleinloog of design outfit Hesse Kleinloog decided it was time to create carpets as part of the interior revamp they were doing at the bush escape.

Not long into the refit, the team realised that round statement rugs would be a brilliant addition to the space. They’d work with the bones of the place, and complement the artworks going into the lodge from owner Ivor Ichikowitz’s impressive art collection. But round rugs are hard to get at the best of times in South Africa, let alone during a pandemic.

Never one to turn down a challenge, and working with Koos Groenewald of creative studio Jana + Koos, Andrea and her team elected to have the rugs custom-made by Brabetz Carpet Mill in Durban. They also roped in five other major artists to help them bring the huge pieces to life.

In hindsight, the task seems almost farcical: no-one was able to visit the mill during lockdown, and everything was done over video and phone. But thanks to some seriously hard work, ingenuity and graphic-design savvy from Koos and the carpet crafters, the result is six sensational works by Athi-Patra Ruga, Cameron Platter, Jody Paulsen, Maja Marx, Nabeeha Mohamed, and Koos too.

“We started this project in the deepest, darkest depths of Covid uncertainty, and it was such a spark of joy during such a dark time,” says Andrea. “In many ways, the absolute fun and frivolity of colour, and the joy of engagement, were so welcome in the disjointed, masked-up world.” Over the next few pages, the artists weigh in on this jump from canvas to carpet.

Nabeeha Mohamed’s Rug

“I thought the rug was way better than my original watercolour artworks!” says Nabeeha of a finished product that brilliantly captures her trademark bold work, which often depicts domestic scenes. “It’s a combination of three different artworks, and it’s been translated beautifully,” she adds, noting that, prior to this project, she’d never worked with carpets and didn’t understand the skill set that goes into turning a flat paperwork into a luscious and colourful artwork of this kind.

Athi-Patra Ruga’s Rug

Of this practical manifestation of his “Future White Women of Azania” performance art series and his 2013 tapestry work The Votive Portrait of Her, the much-celebrated artist says, “It has been a pleasure to see a work that was live performance art move into two-dimensional petit point. With the Molori collaboration, it moved into a large-scale beauty that employed elements of texture and colour. This stays true to our studio’s ethos of stretching ourselves over various media to access all audiences.”

Jody Paulsen’s Rug

Molori Safari’s main lodge features the riotous carpet version of Jody’s 2013 felt collage, Eat Me (Bananas). His focus on textile-based art meant that Jody had always wanted to try his hand at creating a carpet – and so the Molori project ticked that box. He hopes that this vivid and mesmerising yellow-and-black piece triggers “a feeling of joy and happiness”, and that in it, guests experience the same sense of charm evoked by the original artwork.

Majamarx’s Rug

A painter who has been working with visual language for many years, Maya found it interesting to “see an artwork transformed”, and was thrilled by the request to turn one of her pieces into a rug.

The inky-hued artwork that the rug riffs off was inspired by ribbons and the way they fall to the ground. “It’s about the power of line,” she says, adding, “I really love the way in which the quality of the line and the embossed quality of the rug came together.”

Koos Groenewald’s Rug

For his carpet, Koos put on his hat as an artist – “an official side hustle” to his job as one half of Jana + Koos. He used a mixedmedia artwork that incorporated cork, and which was lying around his studio, as the springboard for his flooring masterpiece. “I would love everyone to see the cheeky side of this rug,” says the mind behind the rug project of his textured creation. “It’s a little bit naughty and has a little bit of nudity in it.”

Cameron Platter’s Rug

The acclaimed KZN-based visual artist is used to working with various craftspeople to realise his pieces, but admits he was amazed and thrilled by the end result of the Molori endeavour. His rug depicts “a deconstructed lion going crazy on a dance floor”. “When I was approached to work on this project, I was over the moon,” he says. “Based on an artwork called A Night of Bliss, the rug takes from the original and makes it better!”

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As VISI’s 100th collector’s edition hits the shelves, we chat to artist Jody Paulsen about his artistic journey and what his 2014 VISI cover meant to him.

Five years ago, for VISI’s 2014 collector’s Design Issue, Jody, in collaboration with photographer Nico Krinjo, created four different covers based on his hand-cut felt artworks. “For me, whenever I look at that magazine, it represents such a transitional space in my life and in my career,” he says.

The covers of VISI’s 2014 Design Issue

Watch the full video above and stay tuned for more one-on-one interviews.

VISI’s 100th Issue is on sale now at selected retailers (full stockist list here). You can also buy the digital version of the issue via magsathome.co.za, zinio.com and magzter.com.

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The graphic, sports-inspired Permanent Collection is the latest fashion collaboration between Adriaan Kuiters + Jody Paulsen, with Adriaan Kuiters’ designer Keith Henning joining forces with the artist.

The collection is built on modern wardrobe staples and limited edition artistic prints by Jody. It consists mostly of unisex pieces with a few defined men’s and women’s silhouettes. Updated classic styles sit alongside new easy wearing shapes in crisp cottons and twills, with touch­es of luxury in the form of leather, silk and hemp.

The prints were developed mainly through experimentation with collage. Drawing inspiration from the work of Henri Matisse, Hans Arp and David Hockney, Jody created each design with paper cutouts that are then digitised and printed. The patterns are applied to the collection by combining different printing techniques with embroidery and fabric collage.

The collection was launched at SA Fashion Week in October 2017. The campaign, shot at the SMAC gallery, explores the relationship between three friends/lovers who find themsleves locked inside a gallery at night. Photographer Neil Roberts was tasked with capturing a strong sense of intimacy and connection between the models, who have worked together before on previous AKJP brand campaigns.

Models: Jae Kim, Daniel Defty and Nina Milner
Make-up: Gareth Coleman
Jewellery: Steffany Roup

There are plans in the pipeline for high-end internationally focused capsule collections built on the Permanent Collection line. The collection is available at the AKJP Collective concept store at 73 Kloof Street, Cape Town. Follow the brand on Instagram to keep up to date.

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The hugely anticipated first major museum dedicated to contemporary art in Africa, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA), is now officially open. Here’s what you need to know.

It’s been more than four years in the making and now the V&A Waterfront’s R500-million project to reimagine the historic grain silo into the world’s largest museum dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora has reached completion.

Aside from the breathtaking architecture, conceived by Heatherwick Studio, it spans seven floors and 6 500 m² with more than 100 gallery spaces – there’s a lot to take in! (Read architect Thomas Heatherwick’s Q&A here.)

Opening weekend, 22 – 25 September, has been divided into two-hour time slots. The organisers had some advice for opening weekend:

1. Have your ticket or membership card on hand

There are still some two-hour timeslots available on Webtickets (all the free slots are sold out) or you can get a ticket at the door. Each ticket has a specific time and date on it, so ensure you get there at the correct time. Members need to have their cards to gain entry one hour before opening on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

2. Be prepared

There’ll be hundreds of people wanting to get a first look so wear comfortable shoes and take along a bottle of water and snacks as you’ll have to wait in line. There is a coffee station in the gantry, but no food or drink will be allowed inside the museum. Only handbags are permitted so leave your rucksacks and day bags behind.

3. Get up to speed

Make sure to grab a map and programme that outlines all the floors and exhibitions (see opening exhibitions below) and choose the ones you’d like to visit first as you may not have time to wander through the entire building. If you’re unsure of which exhibit to visit first, ask one of the museum team members to direct you to a specific centre that peaks your interest, such as the Centre for Performative Practice, the Centre for the Moving Image or the Centre for Photography.

4. Ask questions

Once inside, you’ll be overwhelmed by all the art. Not to fear as Zeitz MOCAA team will be around if you have any questions. While you’ll be able to get the gist of an exhibition on your own, having someone provide context is invaluable. Plus, those questions you’re preparing to type into Google later? One of the friendly museum staff will probably know the answer. The curators and museum team love answering questions on their favourite subject matter so don’t be afraid to ask.

5. Buy a memento

Before you head home, pop in at the Zeitz MOCAA gift shop to buy something that will help you remember your visit on this historic occasion. Whether it’s a coffee table book or a T-shirt, your purchase will not only be a memento, but will also support the museum to help it stay open and bring new and exciting exhibits for visitors.

6. Consider a membership

If you loved your visit and plan to return, consider purchasing an annual membership to the museum. You’ll enjoy loads of cool benefits, including unlimited free access to the museum, a preferential queue at the entrance, discounts on selected items and special offers at the Zeitz MOCAA gift store and coffee shop, priority ticketing for special exhibitions and more.

OPENING EXHIBITIONS

Luanda, Encyclopedic City by artist Edson Chagas (Angola), from 22 September 2017 – 13 January 2018

iimpundulu zonke ziyandilenda by artist Nicholas Hlobo (South Africa), from 15 September 2017 – 30 July 2018

Wounded Negatives by artist Samson Kambalu (Malawi), from 22 September – 29 November 2017

LGBTQI+ by artist Zanele Muholi (South Africa) and then a new artist announced each month, from 22 September 2017 – 25 June 2018

All things being equal… by artists Athi-Patra Ruga (SA), Chéri Samba (DRC), Chris Ofili (UK), Cyrus Kabiru (Kenya), Daniella Mooney (SA), El Anatsui (Ghana), Frances Goodman (SA), Frohawk Two Feathers (USA), Gareth Nyandoro (Zimbabwe), Ghada Amer (Egypt), Glenn Ligon (USA), Godfried Donkor (Ghana), Hank Willis Thomas (USA), Hasan and Husain Essop (SA), Isaac Julien (UK), Jeremiah Quarshie (Ghana), Jody Paulsen (SA), Joël Andrianomearisoa (Madagascar), Julien Sinzogan (Benin), Kehinde Wiley (USA), Kendell Geers (SA), Leonce Raphael Agbodjélou (Benin), Liza Lou (USA), Lungiswa Gqunta (SA), Mack Magagane (SA), Marlene Steyn (SA), Mary Sibande (SA), Misheck Masamvu (Zimbabwe), Mohau Modisakeng (SA), Nicholas Hlobo (SA), Njideka Akunyili Crosby (Nigeria), Owanto (Gabon), Penny Siopis (SA), Rashid Johnson (USA), Roger Ballen (USA), Sethembile Msezane (SA), Taiye Idahor (Nigeria), Thania Petersen (SA), Wangechi Mutu (Kenya), William Kentridge (SA), Zanele Muholi (SA), from 15 September 2017 – 19 February 2018

Off-the-Air by artist Mouna Karray (Tunisia), from 15 September 2017 – 15 January 2018

Addio del Passato, Dusthouse by artist Yinka Shonibare MBE [RA] (England), from 22 September 2017 – 28 May 2018

Regarding the Ease of Others by artist Kudzanai Chiurai (Zimbabwe), from 15 September 2017 – 31 March 2018

Harvest by artist Michele Mathison (South Africa/Zimbabwe), from 22 September 2017 – 15 January 2018

Material Value by artist Nandipha Mntambo (Swaziland) 22 September 2017 – 27 January 2018

Now and Then: El Loko/Kyle Morland by artists El Loko (Togo) and Kyle Morland (South Africa), from 15 September 2017 – 27 August 2018

Going forward, daily admission is R180/adult and under 18s have free access. On Wednesdays, it’s free entry for South African and African citizens between 10am and 1pm, and on the first Friday of every month admission will be half price between 4pm and 9pm. Find Zeitz MOCAA on Instagram and Facebook.

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Cape Town artist Jody Paulsen (who wowed us at the 2017 Cape Town Art Fair with a fantastic piece) made time to chat to us about his first solo exhibition, currently on view at SMAC Gallery in Cape Town.

Jody describes Pushing Thirty (a reference to the fact that he will be turning 30 this year) as “a millennial approach to becoming an adult.” Here, he discusses the inspirations behind his colourful collection of works.

This is your first solo show with SMAC Gallery. What do you want to achieve with this show?

I felt overwhelmed by how big the gallery space at SMAC was, so I tried to make as many works as possible to fill the space. 

What inspired the pieces in this new body of work?

Turning thirty later this year was a central theme in my body of work because making this exhibition forced me to accumulate everything that I’ve learnt in the last decade or so. I tried to be expansive on issues that are close to me such as pop culture, designer clothes, relationships, food and LGBT rights in Africa.

How do you feel your work has changed since your last exhibition?

I think that my work has improved – I hope so. I think that the text is more confident than before. Making a full solo exhibition allowed me to explore the same content in numerous compositions, which was very satisfying.

What plans do you have for 2017?

I plan to take a holiday sometime this year. Buenos Aires is my dream destination.

Pushing Thirty runs until 25 March 2017 at SMAC Gallery, 1st Floor, The Palms, 145 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town. The gallery is open from 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday and on Saturdays from 10am until 3pm. For more information, visit smacgallery.com.

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Some of the country’s most talented menswear designers showed their autumn/winter collections at South African Menswear Week in Cape Town.

February 2016 saw the third South African Menswear Week hosted at Cape Town Stadium. We were right there in the front row. A number of designers impressed us, but four stood out. The labels Chulaap, Mdingi Coutts, Rich Mnisi and AKJP can hold their own on the international fashion scene; in fact, two of the collections had just come from being shown at one of the world’s most highly regarded menswear platforms, Pitti Uomo in Florence.

Chulaap

Chu Suwannapha showed his second collection since wowing audiences at the launch of his label at SA Menswear Week the year before. As is his signature, Chu reminded audiences why he is the reigning Prince of Prints with an Afro-futuristic collection inspired by the travels of the popular photography trio I See a Different You.

Mdingi Coutts

Lukhanyo Mdingi and Nicholas Coutts created one of the most anticipated ranges at Menswear Week. Since winning the 2013 ELLE Rising Star Design Award, Nicholas’s hand-woven scarves have been a firm favourite with the fashion set, and Lukhanyo’s work has featured on local and international websites. Together, they created a collection that saw them invited to Pitti Uomo.

Rich Mnisi

This wunderkind of South African menswear, and AFI Young Designer of the Year 2014, blew audiences away with a collection that showed his meticulous attention to detail and ability to combine global trends with an understated local flavour. Titled Zulu Lounge, it’s a collection that has us looking forward to winter.

AKJP

The AKJP range by Keith Henning and Jody Paulsen was a highlight of the opening night of Menswear Week. As with Mdingi Coutts, the range was fresh off the Italian runway at Pitti Uomo. The duo presented layering, prints and collages inspired by artist Georgina Gratrix and drawing on Jody’s collage technique in his work as a visual artist.

Browse the gallery above to view a selection of designers from each designer.

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Earlier this year, artist Jody Paulsen and designer Keith Henning, the duo behind AKJP Collective, presented their Autumn/Winter 2016 collection in Florence, Italy, at Pitti Uomo, and later again at South African Menswear Week.

The incredibly detailed collection, which has a spirit of the tropical Durban landscape, also took inspiration from the work of artist Georgina Gratrix. For their lookbook, shot by Neil Roberts and styled by Louw Kotze, they went back to their source of inspiration. 

Says the designers: “Our lookbook shoot was actually done inside of a previous gallery exhibition at Smac Gallery where Georgina Gratrix’s work was being shown, so this lookbook is a full circle moment for our A/W 16 collection, which was inspired by the artist herself. It was a cool idea we had to create art inside of her artwork, so to speak. From there, we moved to La Perla for a post-modern look and feel. It was really great to work within one of the oldest restaurants in Cape Town, which also showcases contemporary artworks.”

The shoot itself took inspiration from the 2003 film The Dreamers, set in 1968 Paris. It’s an art film with a coming of age theme, which is referenced in the shoot.

Shop the collection at AKJP Collective, 73 Kloof Street, Cape Town. Contact the store at 021 424 5502 for more information.

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Fresh from representing South African fashion as finalists at Who is On Next? Dubai, an initiative hosted by VOGUE Italia as part of the VOGUE Fashion Dubai Experience, the talented duo behind fashion label Adriaan Kuiters + Jody Paulsen dropped their latest lookbook this week.

Shot in black and white by photographer Nico Krijno, the lookbook features their Spring/Summer 2016 collection, which they showed at the recent Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Cape Town.

“We took inspiration from Lucinda Childs’ ballet Dance,” explains the duo. “Sol LeWitt’s use of black and white imagery in the video creates strong graphic imagery and motifs, which speak to our collection’s applique and deconstruction. We felt that shooting in black and white with Nico will be a new direction for us as it puts the focus back on cut and silhouette rather than prints. The lookbook symbolises strength in movement too, which speaks to our initial minimalist ethos, which was rooted in sportswear that shifts easily from day to night.”

Haven’t seen inside the new AKJP Collective concept store in Cape Town? Take a look.

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Fashion designer Keith Henning (Adriaan Kuiters) and artist Jody Paulsen have joined forces to create a new creative collective.

From Pichulik and Steffany Roup jewellery and House of Gozdawa beauty products to fashion labels like Drotsky, Take Care and Hannah Collection, AKJP Collective aims to showcase designs from a range of talented South African makers. It also stocks the much-loved Adriaan Kuiters X Jody Paulsen collaborative collection.

“Because it can be overwhelming and financially difficult for South African designers to expand internationally, we are aiming to grow the store in Cape Town until it has built the necessary momentum to go overseas,” explains Keith. “It is our dream to make it the go to South African design store for international lovers of good design. This is an exciting progression for us and knowing that we are moving forward, makes us very happy.”

The space, which is located in the same spot as the original Adriaan Kuiters store, will soon include a men’s suit tailor service (MORE Made-To-Measure), as well as other concept store staples, like international design and art magazines and books.

Visit the AKJP Collective at 73 Kloof Street, Cape Town. Contact the store at 021 424 5502 for more information. You can also shop online at adriaankuiters.com.

You can also check out, In Bloom: Neimil’s New Capsule Collection.

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Here at VISI HQ, we’ve long been proponents of collaboration and interdisciplinary work. In fact, we launched the year with our collaboration issue, where we celebrated some of our favourites. So you can imagine our excitement this past week, at Mercedes-Benz Cape Town Fashion Week, where the spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration was alive and well.

On the first day of fashion week we once again witnessed the successful collaboration between designer Adriaan Kuiters (aka Keith Henning) and artist Jody Paulsen. Adriaan and Jody have been collaborating for a couple of years now, and this marked their last collaboration, as Jody will now take time to focus on his art career.

The show, which took place at The Watershed at V&A Waterfront, maintained the androgynous feel the pair has been developing over the last few seasons. “We have used women’s items on men and men’s items on women,” says Jody. “The fits are spacious and forgiving. However, we have introduced fitted women’s trousers and shirts, and paired them with boxy and loose garments, something that was important to us to retain an effortless, easy-wearing look. We went for a light, minimal look with a fresh sporty theme, working in particular with the grid-like ’70s graphics and motifs of a tennis court. We further used ballet-like embellishments inspired by Lucinda Childs, the celebrated American postmodern dancer/choreographer, to give it a feminine fluidity. We both admire Childs’ physicality, perseverance and androgyny.”

Just two days later, Klûk CGDT showed their range at CAAM Gallery in De Waterkant. However, instead of the usual catwalk, the worlds of art and fashion met through a fashion exhibition of sorts. “We always try to find new ways to present our collections,” says the duo. “This season, the artisanal quality of fashion was important to us; the couture, the exclusive, the luxury, the made-to-order aspect of it, which is what KLûK CGDT is all about. It made sense to play with the idea of art and create an exhibition that would last longer than a catwalk show.”

The collection was made up of 31 looks with a strong Asian influence, following the pair’s recent trip to Tokyo. They handpicked and invited nine photographers whom they commissioned to interact with the range and create three limited edition prints each. Videographer Roice Nel documented the project in a series of fashion films. “The brief was completely open. We wanted them to be creative without any commercial restraint. Call it our Andy Warhol/Factory moment!”

The exhibition, titled Artisanal, will be on show at the CAAM Gallery until the 8 August 2015. The prints are on sale and 20% of all proceeds will be donated to the Sunflower Fund.

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