OPENLab – SOUTH AFRICA

Co-ordinating facilitator and artistic lead.

OPENLab / EXPLORATIONS IN SITE BASED PRACTICES is an ongoing  national laboratory in South Africa for early to mid career artists and creative practitioners interested in making art in the public realm. Openlab was initially developed by the artist  & curators Paul Gazzola and Carli Leimbach as part of the Programme for Innovation in Artform Development (PIAD), an initiative by the Vrystaat Arts Festival and the University of the Free State.

OPENLab is a national laboratory for early and mid-career South African artists and creative practitioners interested in making art in the public realm. It is an open and intensive residency platform aimed at generating new strategies and ideas in site specific, experimental and interdisciplinary practice. Up to 15 artists from across South Africa are sought to participate in each lab, lead by national and international facilitators.

Participating artists explore new approaches to site based practices working across different communities, disciplines and geographical contexts. The emphasis is on participation, critical thinking, discussion and the creation of new ideas. It is a responsive space for artists and facilitators to share skills, exchange knowledge and challenge each other in a nurturing and supportive environment.

OPENLab is a place for free experimentation and open dialogue and an investment in future thinking, creative networks and professional development. It is an initiative developed to increase innovation and creative output in Africa.

2014: The Art of Being Public / 18 July – 27 July 2014

Guest facilitators: Nadia Cusimano, Bec Dean,  Jay Pather & Phillipa Tumubweinee 

Artists –  Kira Kemper, Sethembile Msezane, Nadja Daehnke, Elgin Rust, Lesiba Mabitsela, Wayne Reddiar, Adelheid Camilla von Maltitz, Nieke Lombard, Sandile Radebe, Roxy Anne Kawitzky, Francois Knoetze, Siphumeze Tafari Khundayi, Sonia Radebe, Gavin Krastin and Phumlani Ntuni.

Publication #1 : As part of Modern Art Projects black book series

2016: The Art of Being Social / 14 July – 24 July 2016

Guest facilitators – Abrie Fourie, Ella Zeigler, Khanyisile Mbongwa & Lesiba Mabitsela

Artists – Janet Botes, Johandi du Plessis, Kai Losgott, Karin & Skye, Kathleen Sawyer, Kivithra Naicker, Lehlohonolo Dube, Nomusa Mtshali, Scott Eric Williams, Victoria Wigzell, Wezile Mgibe, Yazeen Kamaldein

Publication #2: As part of Modern Art Projects black book series

2018: The art of….

FUNDERS:  The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, MODERN ART PROJECTS SA (MAP SA)  & OSCA