FINDING MAGIC IN SOUTH AFRICA’S CAPE WINELANDS

Congress: The Social Body in Three Figurative Painters will take place from October 2 to January 10, 2022. Trevor Makhoba (1956–2003), George Pemba (1912–2001), and Sithembiso Sibisi (1976–2006) are among the artists represented.
From September 24-26, the Norval’s Atrium will be home to the Cape Town Art Book Fair, which will appeal to bookworms. The fair, which features galleries, writers, publishers, artists, and independent book-sellers, is in its second year; pick up art books, magazines, and zines. There’s also a series of lectures with authors, curators, and artists. norvalfoundation.org #CTABF21

Nyoka, a show by Rich Mnisi, will run at Southern Guild from October 2 to February 4, 2022. It’s his first solo show of collector furniture, which includes chairs, a console, a chandelier, a rug, and other items. According to the gallery, the collection is “a bold investigation of shape and fluidity, vividly brought to life in a diverse array of materials including bronze, wool, resin, and glass.”

Union House’s artist is Emma Willemse, whose exhibition Disrupt is on view until September 29. Willemse is a conceptual artist from the Swartland town of Riebeek Kasteel, which is known for its undulating wheat fields. Displacement, place-making, and a sense of place are all themes in her work.

Listen to Displaced, a live performance by composer Michael Blake, during Disrupt on September 29. It starts at 6 p.m. Willemse’s artist books and mixed media pieces, which will be on display at the same time, have influenced Blake. @spierartstrust

A visit to the Zeitz, a landmark at the V&A Waterfront and a paean to architectural design, is a must for any visitor to Cape Town.
Kassaram is an open studio research by Thania Petersen as part of Zeitz’s Atelier Residency program that continues until October 17th. Petersen is a multidisciplinary artist who explores her identity in contemporary South Africa through photography, performance, and installation. zeitzmocaa.museum

The exhibition Ngady a Mwaash, named after the baKongo’s primal female ancestor, explores on the role, position, perception, and symbolism of women in Congolese art and society, using a selection of African sculptures gathered by Irma Stern. Irma Stern’s paintings of Congolese and Rwandese women are also on display through October 30. Visits are only available by appointment. irmasternmuseum.co.za

Galleries

Here are just a few of the many galleries in Cape Town that feature amazing artists:
Distant Visions: Postcards from Africa is on view at the Goodman Gallery until September 18th. According to the gallery, “[Sue] Williamson’s latest series of drawings, Postcards from Africa,” “continues the artist’s interest in the potential of a little printed image to communicate news of a precise moment in time to a far off audience.”
Shirin Neshat’s first solo exhibition in Cape Town, which runs through September 18, combines a video piece, Sarah, with a photographic still from Roja and Offerings to investigate the internal lives of women. www.goodman-gallery.com

Angus Taylor: Quarried Consciousness is the artist’s third solo show at Everard Read, and it coincides with the publication of his monograph, Mind Through Materials. The latter delves into his practice as well as his philosophy. It will be on display until September 30th. everard-read-capetown.co.za
What if the World is home to Lyndi Sales’ solo exhibition of collage and installation, Nature’s Code, which runs until October 16th, and Michael Taylor’s new solo exhibition, In The End, which runs until October 9th. whatiftheworld.com

If you’re looking for a day in the country, Tulbagh, only 90 minutes outside of Cape Town, hosts 40 Under 40 from September 25 to February 28 at Twee Jonge Gezellen Estate, home of Krone Cap Classique. It’s described as a “intriguing and challenging collection of 60 distinct pieces by 40 young artists under the age of 40.”

On the 25th and 2nd of October, there will be guided public walkabouts and artist activations. Visit whatiftheworld.com/krone and kronecapclassique.co.za/pages/krone-x-witw-gallery to book for the walkabouts.

Other happenings

Cultivate is hosting a Heritage Month festival until September 30 at its newly opened marketplace in Salt River. There is a full schedule of activities, ranging from wine tasting to music to informative talks, such as a wine tasting with Tania Kleintjes, an organic winemaker at Spier, on September 15; the following day, Lungiswa Plaatjies performs live African music on traditional instruments. On September 22, Beks Ndlovu, the founder of African Bush Camps, will speak about natural heritage and touring southern Africa. cultivatecollective.co.za

The #cocreateDESIGN FESTIVAL will take place from September 20 to 23. Small in-person gatherings and site tours are planned as part of the hybrid event. The #cocreateDESIGN FESTIVAL looks at how design can be used to address contemporary socio-economic and environmental issues in Africa. Quicket tickets are available at https://qkt.io/5yOslM.
The Old Biscuit Mill in Salt River will host the Cape Town International Animation Festival from October 1-3. A hybrid schedule of films, discussions, seminars, and other activities is planned. On the 2nd of October, the Comic Con Cape Town pop-up will be at the event, including costume competitions, Comic Art Drink & Draw & Sketch-off competitions, and Pop Culture Quiz Sessions among the attractions. www.ctiaf.com

Where to stay

You’ll need a place to rest your happy head after all that art. We have a few choices:
From its floor-to-ceiling windows at the top of a famous Foreshore structure, The Halyard amplifies the view. The self-catering luxury apartments come equipped with everything you need for a short visit. Everything is slick, tidy, and highly advanced. The apartments feature automation systems, contemporary furnishings, a full array of modern conveniences, and wrap-around balconies in one, two, and three-bedroom configurations. All the more reason to take in the scenery. @halyardapartments and stay@thehalyard.co.za

Coco-Mat features two lofts in the old Bo-Kaap, with wide-open rooms bordered by the mountain and overlooking the city bowl’s hustle and bustle. There is a lot of attention to detail. The best part is that you’ll be sleeping in the luxurious Coco-Mat top-end bed, which is all-natural and handcrafted. Reservations can be made by emailing capetown@coco-mat.co.za.
Stay at the Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel on Long Street starting October 1st. With boutique hotel rooms or rooftop airstream trailers, each designed in its own unique manner, it’s all about design and luxury. granddaddy.co.za

Steenberg

It’s difficult to imagine a more relaxing stay than the Steenberg Hotel and Spa, which is conveniently located next door to the Norval. The hotel, which has 17th-century roots, skilfully mixes historical and contemporary elements. While you’re there, take a stroll or ride your bike around the vineyards and beautiful gardens. You can even fit a wine tasting into your already jam-packed itinerary. steenbergfarm.com