The renamed Inside Out Centre for the Arts (originally the Roger Ballen Centre for Photographic Art) founded by renowned local artist Roger Ballen has undergone a transformation to add to Joburg’s booming cultural landscape.

The space has become a significant artistic landmark on the busy Jan Smuts Avenue. Combined with the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Museum and the Joburg Contemporary Arts Foundation, it completes a trio of important historical and artistic landmarks in the suburb of Forest Town. 

Designed as a multi-purpose space, the Inside Out Centre serves as a gallery and exhibition space that will focus specifically on issues relating to Africa as a continent from a distinctively aesthetic and psychological perspective. The centre will also be a hub for educational talks, panel discussions, presentations and masterclasses on the art on exhibitions and topics relevant to the arts. An educational project book, aimed predominantly at senior high school learners and based on each exhibition’s theme, will be developed for visiting school groups.

The opening of the Inside Out Centre for the Arts has been anticipated for a while. The Roger Ballen Foundation, which was dedicated to the advancement of education in photography in South Africa, was established by the artist in 2008. The Foundation sponsored exhibitions in Johannesburg of notable international artists and brought guest lecturers to students in the city. After some time, Ballen felt that the Foundation, which has since been renamed the Inside Out Trust Foundation, needed a home so that shows and programmes could run on an ongoing basis. In January 2018, he finally found a property in an ideal location to bring his project to fruition. The Inside Out Centre was built on this piece of land, and Ballen moved into the building in August 2020.

The name ‘Inside Out’ reflects the idea that the Centre’s exhibitions will encourage introspection, and the design of the building is inspired by the same aim. Raw concrete is used on the interior and exterior surfaces of the building, the latter of which conceals the entrance that opens into a breathtaking, double-volume, naturally lit space. 

“I sometimes think that the building looks like it has been turned ‘inside out’,” comments Ballen, who worked closely with local architect Joe van Rooyen of JVR Architects to create a landmark building.

The inaugural show, End of the Game, grapples with the decimation of wildlife in Africa. Part historical archive and part Ballen’s artistic response to these issues, the exhibition confronts the viewer with deep universal and psychological questions about the human race and its relationship to the natural world.

“In the years to come,” explains Ballen, “the Inside Out Centre will feature themes related to Africa with global application. There is a wealth of highly respected international and local artists — working in photography, installation, sculpture, drawing, painting and film — whose work centres on African themes. Over time, we will develop inspiring programmes and present thought-provoking exhibitions.” 

Exhibition viewing is by appointment only. Bookings can be made on the Inside Out Centre for the Arts website. Tickets cost R150. This price includes a copy of the catalogue for the inaugural exhibition, End of the Game. For more information, visit insideoutcentreforthearts.com.

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The new Roger Ballen Centre for Photographic Arts in Forest Town, Johannesburg has been designed by architect Joe van Rooyen as a new home for the world-renowned photographer and his medium.

What might a Roger Ballen building look like? The legendary photographer’s work is known for its psychologically dark, surreal and disturbing qualities. He first found fame nearly four decades ago, documenting outsiders in small South African towns and on the platteland, and caused controversy with his unflinchingly grotesque, often freakish representations of the people he encountered. Moving away from documentary photography, he then took the medium on a journey inwards, combining mysterious tableaux, stark theatrical sets and props with elements of performance and art brut. In the process, he developed what can now only be described as a “Ballenesque” aesthetic, and found international renown.

But short of a stripped-out, derelict rural cottage or an abandoned asylum – the kind of architecture his work tends to haunt – it’s difficult to imagine how the Ballenesque vision might translate into architecture. That job fell to Joe van Rooyen of JVR Architects – and the result is, perhaps surprisingly, beautiful.

The centre needed to be multifaceted, incorporating an office and the admin functions of Roger’s work, including his foundation for the advancement of photography and other art forms, a space for group exhibitions of painting, installation and other arts, and an archive, all with the flexibility to accommodate any other ideas that crop up.

The Ballen Centre completes a trio of cultural centres along Jan Smuts Avenue, joining the Joburg Contemporary Art Foundation and the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre nearby, and giving the primarily suburban area a clearer public character.

Looking for more art or architectural inspiration? Read about Jan Ernst’s partnership with Galerie Philia.

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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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Riding the waves of change are 12 of SA’s coolest artists, who are all participating in a one-of-a-kind surfboard art exhibition, the 2013 Wavescapes Artboard Project, ending in a charity auction on Wednesday 4 December at 6pm.

Raising funds for ocean charities as part of the Wavescapes Surf Festival, the artists were tasked to create a fab new design for the 2013 surfboard, the Shred Stick. 

Acclaimed international export Mikhael Subotzky, as well as veteran political satirist Brett Murray with yet another controversial masterpiece, Die Antwoord’s collaborator Roger Ballen, tattoo specialist Manuela Gray and artist provocateur Peter van Straten have all gotten on board.

More artists taking part are newcomer Conrad Hicks, a metal work sculptor who works with salvaged wrought iron and steel – his metal surfboard will be the first ever of its kind on show. Alan van Gysen is a surf photographer whose interest in the chemical possibilities of photography combined with surfboard design had him create a fabulous resin-coated surfboard. 

The success of last year’s festival (VISI featured the surfboards here) saw more than a quarter of a million rand raised, benefitting the NSRI, Shark Spotters and the Isiqalo foundation’s Waves for Change programme.

Hurry along to save a spot at the Woodstock Exchange’s Superette where the auction will take place on Wednesday 4 December at 6pm. The Twakkie-half of The Most Amazing Show, Rob van Vuuren, will be there as special guest. Check out the website for more details about the film festival and other Wavescape events coming up.

www.wavescapefestival.com

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Coming up from Friday 27 September to Sunday 29 September at the Sandton Convention Centre, we’re excited for the FNB Joburg Art Fair, which this year turns its lens on the fine art of photography. Here’s a taste of what’s to come.

The often under-appreciated medium of photography takes centre stage at the sixth Johannesburg Art Fair with the featured artist for the year being the acclaimed David Goldblatt. He will show work from his series The Structure of Things Then – and After, which is a rather architectural collection, looking at personal expression through what we make and build. Spanning the years from 1961 to the present, the images tell a story of South Africa’s cultural, political and economic milieu through buildings.

Other notable photography on display includes Roger Ballen’s, which will include a retrospective of his work at the CIRCA Gallery Space stand, as well as the launch of the Roger Ballen Die Antwoord monograph by Jacana books.

Santu Mofokeng’s The Black Photo Album: 1890-1950 will show in a curated space; and Nandipha Mntambo’s new photographic series will take up the Pirelli Space.

The exhibition African Emerging Photography, meanwhile will present an overview of a new generation of African photographers.

Video installations also play an important role in this year’s art fair. Mohau Modisakeng will show his latest video installation, Inzilo, which looks at bereavement and the process of grieving.

The winner of this year’s FNB Art Prize is also a video installation piece. Using 3D video techniques. Uncles & Angels is a collaboration between artist Mocke J Van Veuren and dancer Nelisiwe Xaba, which is based on the Swazi reed dance and explores feminine notions of purity and virginity in a patriarchal context.

Aside from the digital arts, a huge range of artists from various of traditions, including painting, printmaking and sculpture, will be represented by 33 local and international galleries, and featured in 21 special projects.

Tickets are R50 a person on Friday, and R100 a person on Saturday and Sunday, and can be bought online at www.webtickets.co.za. For more information visit www.fnbjoburgartfair.co.za.

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