Wits Art Museum and beyond

After much anticipation, an architectural competition, several years of building and a lot of hard work, the new Wits Art Museum has finally opened its mighty doors. As the first large museum in South Africa to be entirely dedicated to African art, its cultural importance cannot be underestimated.

Situated in the recently revamped and buzzing Braamfontein area of Johannesburg, the R42m complex holds over 9000 works of art, dating from the last 70 years. With public galleries, lecture halls, classrooms and a reference library amongst its many credentials, the museum incorporates all the facilities necessary to be able to compete with world class, international institutions of a similar scale.

The building itself is an impressive feat of architecture, for which Nina Cohen, Fiona Garsen and William Martinson won the Absolut VISI Designer of the Year Architecture Award. Transparent outdoor walls make it possible for the public to look in and see some of the works on show, creating a space that is constantly in connection with the world outside.

The museum opens with an exhibition entitled “WAM! Seeing Stars” that will run until 19 August. It showcases 350 of the most important works in the Wits collection, partly explaining the title of the show. Senior curator Julia Charlton explains that “seeing stars” also extends to the physical sensation it describes – the disbelief of finally getting the extensive project off the ground. “WAM! Seeing Stars” incorporates both old and new acquisitions, by artists such as Robert Hodgins, Sam Nhlengethwa and Tito Zungu.

Situated on Jan Smuts and Jorissen streets just across the way from the University’s East Campus, the Wits Art Museum is only one of many establishments, shops and restaurants opening and relocating to the Braamfontein area. A far cry from its less shining past, good infrastructure, great city views and a cosmopolitan young crowd make it an exciting place to be.

Wits Art Museum : Corner Jan Smuts Avenue and Jorissen Street, Braamfontein.

Opening hours: 10am – 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday

More info: www.wits.ac.za/witsartmuseum/2826/wits_art_museum.html

There are many other smaller gallery spaces near the Wits Art Museum worth checking out. Luckily, the precinct around Juta street is pedestrian friendly, so take a day to walk around, explore and get your cultural fill.

CO-OP

Pioneering the move of creatives to Braamfontein back in 2009 was Dokter and Misses, in collaboration with Whatiftheworld and Open. Today their Co-op space showcases various exhibitions and events.

More info: www.co-opjoburg.com

Creative Block

We love this concept. Artists, whether established contemporary names or emerging talent, are invited to produce work to the standard format – a simple 180×180 mm square. But that’s where the restrictions end. The work can take any form or direction and when the artworks are blocked together in the gallery, it makes for a visually impactful and powerfully resonant new form. The tiny Creative Block gallery space was outfitted by Cape Town-based Boukuns Architects, with simple pine portals used to create an envelope for the exhibition space.

More info: www.creativeblock.co.za

GIFA

No small wonder that the Guateng Institute for Architecture is making provision for a cutting-edge exhibition space. Their ground-floor shop-front premises at 62 Juta have been transformed into a gallery space that will host regular and ever-changing architectural exhibitions, ranging from the award-winning work of big names to up-and-coming student work from Wits and UCT. See a theme emerging here in this art hub? The space has been designed so that the glass doors stack open, with a natural interior-exterior flow onto the pavement. The space is most notable for its ability to change and adapt. Well, that and the perspex walls that segue into a startling array of colours.

More info: www.gifa.co.za

Stevenson Gallery

Formerly known as Brodie/Stevenson gallery is the result of a partnership between Michael Stevenson and David Brodie. The gallery opened its Braamfontein doors at 62 Juta Street in November 2010, and shares the building with the French Institute of South Africa and famed fashion designer David Tlale. The gallery hosts series of solo and group exhibitions that engage with contemporary art practice in South Africa and represent such rising stars as Zander Blom (see left), Dineo Seshee Bopape, Paul Edmunds and Serge Alain Nitegeka.  

More info: www.stevenson.info