(Cape Town, 30 October 2019): Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) has today revealed the details of an exciting new exhibition, presenting works from its collection in a new and reimagined format.
The Zeitz MOCAA Collection houses a unique and extensive body of works by some of the continent and its diaspora’s most exciting established and emerging artists. The exhibition, which includes a selection of these works, will open on 7 November 2019, taking up all gallery spaces on Level 4. This forms part of a recent reimagining of the museum’s galleries and spatial organisation, with exhibitions in this space changing annually.
Titled Two Together, the show is built around major themes explored by artists from Africa and its diaspora represented in the collection, and each gallery contains a pair: either two objects, or multiple works by two artists, or two major themes – either in dialogue, as counterpoints or in complementary ways. As couples do, in comedic duos or in romance, the exhibition embrace a rigorous engagement between objects and ideas.
“We wanted to explore what happens when two things come together,” explained Senior Curator, Storm Janse van Rensburg. “Two photographers can subvert a gaze while probing issues around representation, presence, omission, authorship and voyeurism. Speaking from contrasting geopolitical vantage points, two can highlight the perpetual and impeding undertone of violence still manifesting in present-day psyche. The numerous lines between collective memory, imagination and folklore are blurred when two artists use material to make visible intangible heritage.”
The exhibition includes a diptych by Isaac Julien, as well as pairings of and conversations between works by Zanele Muholi and Mouna Karray; Njideka Akunyili Crosby and Joël Andrianomearisoa; Nicholas Hlobo and Taiye Idahor; Sethembile Msezane and Glenn Ligon; Leonce Raphael Agbodjélou and Athi-Patra Ruga; as well as Mishack Masamvu and Lungiswa Gqunta.
“This exhibition presents works from the Zeitz MOCAA Collection in a new way. Whilst some works will be familiar to regular visitors to the museum, the curation of the exhibition allows them all to be experienced anew,” explains Koyo Kouoh, Executive Director and Chief Curator at Zeitz MOCAA.
“It feels like a fresh and exciting way to relook at our permanent collection. The goal of the museum has always been to build a cohesive collection that is as representative as possible of Africa and the diaspora, with strong political, social, environmental and personal messaging. This is demonstrated in this exhibition,” she adds.
Exhibition title: Two Together
On view: 7 November 2019 – 25 October 2020
Venue: Level 4, Collections Galleries
Curators: Storm Janse Van Resnburg, Tandazani Dhlakama, Sakhi Gcina, Tammy Langtry, Precious Mhone
ENDS
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Emma King Interim Head of Communications
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Lauren Hess
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About the Zeitz MOCAA Collection
Zeitz MOCAA’s Permanent Collection is made up of two collections, that work alongside and complementary to each other.
Philanthropist Jochen Zeitz’s personal collection, the Zeitz Collection forms part of the founding collection of Zeitz MOCAA. It has been specifically developed as a museum collection of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, taking into account issues of scale, representation, relevance and archival responsibilities. The collection is on lifetime loan to the museum.
Zeitz MOCAA is building its own Museum Permanent Collection by adding works of art to those it already owns, in addition to long-term loans and promised gifts. It will grow as the permanent collection owned and held in trust by Zeitz MOCAA.
Through both channels, the museum endeavours to build a cohesive collection, one that is as representative as possible of Africa and its diaspora, with strong political, social, environmental and personal subject matter.
About Zeitz MOCAA
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is a public, not-for-profit institution that exhibits, collects, preserves and researches contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora; conceives and hosts international exhibitions; develops supporting educational, discursive and enrichment programmes; encourages intercultural understanding and strives for access for all. The museum’s galleries are dedicated to featured exhibitions on several levels, with the permanent collection occupying the fourth floor. The institution also includes the Centre for Art Education, the Centre for the Moving Image, and a dedicated project space for emerging artists.