HOMEWORK TASK FOR CHRIS’S TUTORIAL
This post will investigate the positive and negative effects of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, as well as explore the topic of globalisation within two works.
Positive effects of the ICTAF.
It is inspiring for young artists to be able to see so much local and international work in one place. It is also inspiring to see such a concerted effort put towards showcasing art in Cape Town. This is beneficial as it sparks conversation amongst circles and in the media, critically developing the art community and bringing it to attention. It’s important for growth and also for excitement.
Negative effects of the ICTAF.
The high ticket prices of the fair leads to financial segregation within the art viewing community. Only the middle to upper class can afford tickets to part take in what the art fair has to offer. This, as well as the high prices at the bar, brings an air of financial affluence to the fair which affects even the artworks themselves. Commodification ensues. Excitement surrounds the works that fetch the most money.
Servet Kocyigit “ My Heart (N.America)” 100x220cm.
Artist Serves Kocyigit is a migrant artist who was born in Turkey and moved to the Netherlands. He created My Heart is not made from stone during an art residency in Johannesburg in 2016.
His research explores how we define a country and its borders, as well as themes of migration, statelessness and citizenship. During his visit, Kocyigit defines Johannesburg through several landscape images, as well as uses maps with gems painted on them to define spaces around the world by their material deposits. This process of submersing oneself in another culture and space and of questioning the concept of borders, state and material supply are all relevant topics to do with globalisation.
Marina Abramović. Victory, 1997. Cibachrome print, mntd on aluminum. 123.5 x 123.5 cm. (48.6 x 48.6 in.)
Marina Abramović is a well known Serbian performance artist. Her work is renowned all around the world. The reason in this piece reflects globalisation is that it reflects multicultural diversity within the exhibitors at the fair. Artworks from artists all around the world have found their way into the halls of the CTICC. This breaking down of borders and spacial boundaries allows everyone the engage in the same artistic dialogue irrespective of their location or nationality.