As part of this programme, Play Braamfontein hosts a solo exhibition by documentary photographer Jabulani Dhlamini, a group exhibition with a spotlight on emerging artists, an immersive installation by multidisciplinary artists Natalie Paneng, and the current exhibition at Kalashnikovv Gallery.
Jabulani Dhlamini – To Recall the Past in Present
Jabulani Dhlamini, a renowned photographer represented by Goodman Gallery, documents significant historical beats and captures the quieter moments in the lives of everyday South Africans. This exhibition explores memory, which – in all its expressions – is challenged territory because it depends on who gets to remember.
Where: on show on the ground floor at Play Braamfontein, 73 Juta Street.
Group Exhibition – Towards New Frontiers
The first space in this pop-up gallery focuses on painting and mixed media, presenting the works of Kamva Matuis, Shalom Mushwana, Whitney Petersen, Levy Pooe, Refiloe Namise, Baarabile Xaba, Raees Saiet, Mankebe Seakgoe and Reef Sithole. The second space showcases works by postgraduate students from the Graduate School of Architecture, University of Johannesburg; Mvelo Manyathela, Chinenye Chukwuka and Jana Cloete. Finally, the third space is dedicated to seven emerging photographers who make sense of the world by exploring counter-stereotypic imagery, narratives of black representation and aestheticism. The artists include Kamohelo Mahlatsi, Lunathi Mgxuma, Kgotlelelo B Sekiti, Thando Phenyane, Amira Shariff, Bambatha Jones and Luke Ngcube.
Where: on show on the fifth floor at Play Braamfontein, 73 Juta Street.
Ophelia Does Backstroke – An Installation by Natalie Paneng
At 68 Juta Street, visitors can marvel at an extraordinary suspended installation by Natalie Paneng and ten artworks printed by Alex Vosloo from Flood House. Blending performance, collage, video and installation, Natalie Paneng is a digital artist exploring contemporary clown theatre to satirically interrogate the ways people navigate the virtual worlds they occupy. Through this exhibition, Paneng aims to inspire and create a sense of fantasy in relation the the Black femme body. Join the artist for a walkabout on Sat Aug 27 at 13:00.
Where: Installation at 68 Juta Street
Fever Returns at Kalashnikovv Gallery
Kutti Collective is a growing collective of South African artists with South Asian roots. The founding members, Alka Dass, Tyra Naidoo and Saaiqa present Fever Returns, an exhibition at Kalashnikovv Gallery displaying dream-and-memory-like qualities that depict real life from the perspectives of blurred documentary and a touch of pop, stoking a fire that is both warm and scathing.
Where: Kalashnikovv Gallery, 70 Juta Street
Also happening in Braamfontein...
Those visiting on a Saturday should pop into The Playground for a wide selection of artisanal street food and afternoon music vibes by a line-up of local DJs. The Playground is an exhibition of its own with ten huge murals by created by local artists and illustrators displayed across the market venue. Additionally, visitors can go out and spot 15 more murals by seminal and emerging artists within the space of four city blocks that form part of a street art initiative launched by Play Braamfontein.
Open City launches at Play Braamfontein on Thu Aug 25 with all venues opening late from 17:00– 20:00 for the launch. All exhibitions are free and open from 10:00–16:00 (closed Sundays) until Friday September 9.
