Coming of  Age is a retrospective exhbition of Artist Proof Studio (started by Kim Berman and Nhlanhla Xaba in 1991). For more on Artist Proof see  http://www.artistproofstudio.co.za/ .   There are also many works by more established artists – both South Africans as well as visiting international artists.  With many sub-sections put together by different curators, the exhibition is overwhelming to take in on one visit – and that is certainly no complaint!  So be prepared to go back twice and more. Also the printing processes are many, varied and complex and it really helps to see the actual processes before going round the exhibition.  So before starting to view the works, my advice would be to make your way down to the basement level and turn left (ie to the eastern part of the building) where,  in the far corner, you will find artists from the Studio demonstrating  the various printing techniques.  For a non-printmaker to begin to internalize the complexities of the processes before confronting the works is really valuable.  And once one has only the most superficial of insight and understanding into the consummate skill of these artists, the images inspire even greater awe.   It is a real gem of an exhibition NOT to be missed. With another two months to go make sure you leave time to go back 2 or 3 times.   The exhibition runs until the 6th July. You are in for a treat – enjoy. I certainly will be going back. 

For more information on the background to the exhibition see  http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=29903 

Courtesy of the Phantom of the Opera Programme 2012 (Pieter Toerien Monte Casino)

A few weeks ago a guest staying at Liz at Lancaster & who is a musical-aholic, told me he had seen ‘Phantom of the Opera’ SEVENTEEN times – in NY, London and now the night before at Monte Casino, his 2nd time in SA. And he thought it was the best performance he had ever seen. I had never seen Phantom so on his recommendation and with high expectations, I went with a friend (also a Phantom novice). We were completely bowled over. Apart from that wonderful music, the stage sets and costumes were just amazing, but most gut wrenching of all was Johnathan Roxmouth’s rendition of the Phantom. Just an extraordinary performance. Really don’t miss it if you can help it. It’s been extended until 3rd June.

The space at 281 Commissioner St opened up to allow the projection of Buntu Fihle's photographs onto a building across the street. Source: Andre Pretorius

On Tuesday evening, I went to 10 years On Air – the collaborative Review exhibition of the On Air partnership: Marcus Neustatter and Stephen Hobbs. Unexpectedly, Marcus was there to give a walkabout which made viewing particularly enjoyable and accessible . It was really good to see their production over the last decade – much of which has been based in other countries.   Their projects have been very varied but all demonstrate their interest in collaborative work, performance and installation work, and making interventions in public spaces and buildings.   With most of their work being of an ephemeral nature, Neustatter and Hobbs use different mediums (video, slides, artefacts and everyday objects, drawings) to record and re-present their various projects.  These thought-provoking projects  have generated many beautiful visuals as in the Hand and Machine piece which contrasts and compares the different rural and urban Mali environments of Djenne the mud city (and World Heritage site),  and Bamako the capital.  10 years On Air  will be on for another 2 months but only by appointment.  It is showing in a great venue – a factory building at 281 Commissioner St (a block away from Arts On Main) and because much of their work is in the form of large scale video projections, the show is only on in the evenings after dark. For more see http://www.onair.co.za/broadcast/?p=415#more-415 

Emergent (detail) 2012 Pen & ink 567X516mm ; Taken from AOP's exhibition invitation

Richard Penn’s new solo exhibition  Horizon opens at AOP  44 Stanley Ave this Saturday. Penn’s painstakingly detailed work is always a treat. The obsessively meticulous pen and ink marks are awe-inspiring in their technical skill and meditative in their repetitive  patterned fields.
Opening is on Saturday 25 February at 14:00; Exhibition runs until 17th March and Richard Penn will do a walkabout on Saturday 3 March at 11:00. 

As the accompanying press release says: ‘One of only two Jewish boys to have been born in a stable, Nik Rabinowitz always wanted to be an accountant.’   I always love hi sweekly slot on 702 – The week that was, which is achingly funny with nobody being spared Nik’s biting satire. So am really looking forward to Stand and Deliver where ’Nik, a Xhosa-speaking Jew, explores the reasons that have led coloured people to believe that he is coloured, why Afrikaners have settled in Israel, and how a grown man can end up saying things like, ‘daddy make hot for sossy’. ’  Showing at Monte Casino.

Dates: From 29 Feb to 11 March ONLY!   Times: Wed to Fri @ 8pm, Sat @ 5pm & 8pm, Sun @ 3pm
Price: R150 & R100 BOOK BY PHONE:  Computicket (011) 340 8000 OR  Theatre Box Office: (011) 511 181 OR book on-line at Computicket