New Public Art Commission for Cape Town
"South Africa lacks examples of significant and groundbreaking public art," remarked Marilyn Martin, Director of Art Collections for Iziko Museums of Cape Town, in a recent announcement detailing a new public art commission that hopes to mark a turning point in this history.
Iziko has received funding from the National Lottery Board for a public art commission. The primary objective is to enhance the area in front of the Iziko: South African National Gallery. This will be achieved through a three-stage national competition that will be conducted during the period June 2003 to March 2004 and will culminate in a work of art.
Given the dubious history of public art in South Africa there are few artists capable of executing such work. According to Martin: "The competition addresses these realities by emphasising the collaborative nature of the work and the responsibility of the winner of the commission to share knowledge and build capacity."
Thus, the possibility exists that more than one work will be commissioned and/ or that successful entrants may be asked to work together. Integral to the process is the sharing and transfer of skills.
Commenting further, Martin observed: "This project offers participants the unique opportunity of creating a public work of art at South Africa's premier art museum and to break boundaries with regard to what public art can be and mean in South Africa."
Brochures and entry forms are available in the first instance from Iziko: South African National Gallery, Government Avenue, Cape Town. They will be distributed nationally during the next few days and can be posted or faxed to individuals on request. For enquiries please contact Sharon Ballard or Marilyn Martin on (021) 467-4660.
