Title: “The 11th edition of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair: An unmissable event for art lovers”
Introduction:
The Investec Cape Town Art Fair (ICTAF) is renowned for being the most influential art fair in Africa. With more than 500 exhibiting artists from four continents, its 11th edition, entitled “Unbound”, will be held from February 16 to 18. This event, which takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, offers much more than just memories of a euphoric stroll between the stands, like a GoPro camera attached to an excited Labrador.
Staging and artistic exploration:
Upon entering, we are immediately struck by the lively discussions that resonate in the large room and the maze of colorful works that make us dizzy, leaving us wondering where to start. An intense but most pleasant sensory experience. We can thus observe groups guided by renowned curators, wearing audio headsets, who gather around the different stands and wander through the mazes of the fair.
The Solo Booths section:
This year’s Solo Booths section, titled “Loopholes in the Walls of Darkness,” explores a recurring question: how has painting managed to maintain its leading position on the art market despite its reputation as an outdated media? Led by renowned art critic, curator and writer Sean O’Toole, several carefully selected artists address this phenomenon.
The durability and value of the painting:
Despite the emergence of digital art and innovative, increasingly photogenic techniques, painting remains the best-selling medium on the global art market. The ten most expensive works at auction last year were all paintings, reaching a combined total of $781 million (about R1.5 billion). For O’Toole, painting is constantly reinventing itself: “Painting has always had to reassert itself. There is always a trendier medium emerging, but paintings retain their value.”
The artists of “Loopholes in the Walls of Darkness”:
This section is made up of nine artists, mainly from South Africa, as well as Iran, Egypt and Zimbabwe. While some choices may seem unusual for a section exploring the history and future of painting, such as the textile works of Eastern Cape artist Thunzi Mashalaba, this contradiction is not lost on O’Toole . According to him, the textiles she exhibits directly reference the motifs in her paintings, creating an interesting continuity.
The diversity of artistic practices:
O’Toole rejects the purist approach in both painting and curating, preferring to explore the interconnectedness of different artistic practices. Although some more traditional painters are included in the selection, such as Helen Teede, known for her exploration of painting as a living medium linked to its environment, also on display are the works of more atypical artists such as Maja Marx, who creates complex optical illusions impossible to understand in their entirety through photographs.
Conclusion:
The 11th edition of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair promises an artistic experience rich in discoveries. The Solo Booths section, titled “Loopholes in the Walls of Darkness,” offers an interesting reflection on the persistence and evolution of painting as an essential medium of art. At the same time, other sections of the fair explore different themes and highlight various emerging artists. Whether you are a seasoned art lover or simply curious, this event is sure to captivate you. Don’t miss the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of contemporary art at this exceptional art fair.