PROJECT TITLE: AICA/VANSA SEMINAR
LOCATION AND DATES: CAPE TOWN 8 TO 10 NOVEMBER 2008
TITLE: STRUCTURING AFRICA (S) CULTURAL POLICIES AND THEIR DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES OR HOW TO DEAL WITH NEEDS AND DESIRES
PROJECT MANAGER: JULIENNE LEMB

This was a joint project produced by the Visual Arts Network of South Africa (VANSA), the International Association of Art Critics (AICA) and the University of Cape Town (UCT).

This project involved a series of lectures that raised a great deal of interaction between delegates, the public and the moderators.  The audience was mainly artists, journalists, art professionals, art critics and art students. The programme of the three days seminar was an intense one designed to give the delegates a highlight of the visual arts landscape in Cape Town.  The first two days were set in the city centre, Woodstock and Bo Kaap and the last day took place in Gugulethu.

The three days seminar programme was broken down into the following sessions:

Session one/ topic of discussion
‘A look at the countries in Southern Africa with their different and similar stories, current differences and similarities through their existing structures and institutions, followed by an attempt to evaluate these histories in objective terms.’
Delegates were Pip Culing (Zimbabwe), Gabi Ngcobo (South Africa), William Miko (Zambia), Joseph Madisa (Namibia), Neo Matome (Bostwana), Harun Harun (Mozambique)
Moderator was Anrew Lamprecht (South Africa)

Session two/topic of discussion
‘An examination of the kind of training that is available in these countries and of the infrastructure for providing this, including museums, art centres, galleries, agencies, magazines and the educational system in general; together with an assessment of the ways in which choices and decisions are made, or impeded, and vary from one situation to another.’
Delegates were Bassam El Baroni (Egypt), Carol Brown (South Africa), Thembinkosi Goniwe (South Africa), Tineke Reijinders (Netherlands)
Moderator was Henry Meyric Hughes

Session three/topic of discussion
‘Critical art writing from a historical and contemporary perspective, drawing on the experiences of the delegates, with a particular focus on South African writing.’
Delegates were Stacy Hardy (South Africa), Suresh Robert who spoke on behalf of Ed Young (South Africa), Tambudzai Laverne Sibanda (Zimbabwe), Mario Pissara (South Africa)
Moderator was Thembinkosi Goniwe (South Africa)

Session four/topic of discussion
‘A discussion of national and international events, including biennales and other large – scale exhibitions, in particular, those on the cutting edge of mediation, recognition, Diaspora or resettlement and of how to deal with these  realities.’
Delegates were Ramon Tio Bellido (Frane), Khwezi Gule (South Africa), Abdellah Karroum (Marocco), Heeten Bhagat (Zimbabwe), Mirjam Asmal – Dik (South Africa)
Moderator was Yacouba Konate (Ivory Coast)

The programme also included various visits to galleries and places of interest in Cape Town including Michael Stevenson Gallery and the Goodman Gallery Cape. Renowned artists, Marlene Dumas also shared her time with us during her stay in South Africa. Workshop participants also got an opportunity to view the Gugulective exhibition that was curated by Gabi Ngcobo.

Feedback from the project manager:
“This was my first experience as a project manager. It gave me clearer insight of some of the Capetownian, South African and African visual art scene and some of their politics. I’ve had the chance to network with international art professionals and to have a quick overview of the art landscape of the countries invited. It was a great opportunity!”