The National Museum of African Art will conduct a 10-day series of art experiences named “The Demonstration” at the historic Constitution Hill from Thursday, September 15, to Saturday, September 24, in advance of the 10th Basha Uhuru Festival.
The “Demonstration” consists of an exhibition, public conversations, and artist-led city tours.
The schedule is produced by Johannesburg-based artist Siwa Mgoboza, whose topic is “Our Shared Future: Coming to Terms with Our Racial Past.”
Mgoboza explained to IOL Entertainment that this year’s topic aligns with the Smithsonian Institution’s global mission to combat systematic racism and racial inequality.
“Unlike most institutional exhibitions, the museum offered me, a young curator, the opportunity to present an experimental exhibition that contributes more to regenerative art ecosystems,” Mgoboza explained.
“Part of our aim was to create, observe, engage, and cooperate with local artists whose work addresses weighty topics such as racism.
“In South Africa and the United States of America, race has been a major determinant on how humans perceive and comprehend life.
Mgoboza added, “Both countries have excellent Constitution laws that, at their core, are about taking care of the people and ensuring that disparity is bridged and voices who are frequently unheard are heard.”
Artwork created by Neliswa Mocke. Photograph: Chris Gouws
Mgoloza elaborated on the project’s motivation by stating, “Let’s deconstruct the phrase ‘demonstration’ and consider the geographical distinctiveness of the United States and South Africa. A demonstration is the act of proving the existence or veracity of something by providing evidence.
“My job as the curator was to look for commonalities between these places because we have more in common than differences. This is where the show’s strength came from, if you consider how movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #FeesMustFall have brought to light the systematic problems that we as two nations face.
One of the core tenets shared by Smithsonian NMAFA, Constitution Hill, and Moleskine Foundation is the belief that creativity can be used for social change and be a catalyst for how we reckon with the past and collectively heal towards the true rainbow nation or the land of the free.
Mgoboza, who has been dubbed the inter-disciplinary artist of his time, hopes that this one-of-a-kind “experience” would help the audience find healing through art.
Bless “Dance Like Nobody’s Land” by Ngobeni. Picture: Supplied
Blessing Ngobeni, Patrick Bongoy, Luke Radloff, Nelisiwe Xaba, Mocke Jansen van Vuuren, and Ayana V. Jackson are among the featured performers.
“Each artist in the exhibition ‘Demonstration: Reckoning with Our Shared Racial Past’ is an active demonstrator, whether through their real work, their engagement with communities, or their very presence.
“Each and every one of them has a story that requires particular attention and visibility, whether through racism and representation, incarceration, the media, or resistance.
“We thus invite the public to join us in our demonstration. Never forget that an institution is only as significant as the individuals that enter and exit it. Without the people, our protest is meaningless.”
Artwork created by Neliswa Mocke. Photograph: Chris Gouws
In addition, there will be public conversations about racism and migration, imprisonment, representation, identity, resistance, and the demonstration.
The event is free and open to the public.
Africa can be found at https://africa.si.edu/.