Numerous publishing events at David Krut Arts Resource
The involvement of David Krut Arts Resource and David Krut Publishing in the publishing, launch and distribution of numerous art-related books this month places them ahead of the pack in this regard. First up is the photographic book of work by Paul Weinberg, entitled Moving Spirit. Weinberg has been photographing religious rituals and spiritual practice in South Africa, for many years. Much of his work has focused on such rituals in the Durban area and was shown recently at the Durban Art Gallery. The book reflects the rich diversity of religions that make up South African spirituality. The launch will be accompanied by an exhibition of Weinberg's photographs at David Krut Arts Resource.
The second book explores one of South Africa's most important community arts projects, the Mapula Embroidery Project of the Winterveld. In addition to generating an income for economically disadvantaged women, Mapula embroideries couple high levels of technical and visual artistry with topics that speak eloquently of public histories as well as women's personal experiences. Dazzling in colour and inventive in design, the embroideries also engage compellingly with social and political issues that have shaped the lives of their makers. Written by curator, writer and academic Brenda Schmahmann, Mapula: Embroidery and Empowerment in the Winterveld deals with the complex circumstances that resulted in the founding of Mapula in 1991, when the Winterveld was part of the supposedly independent former 'homeland' of Bophuthatswana.
In the book, Schmahmann examines the histories and backgrounds of project members, revealing how women's experiences of disempowerment and under-privilege have been bound up with a politics of not only race but also gender. She explores the ways in which the Mapula Embroidery Project has been managed and organised, identifying various challenges that confront those engaging with development work. Most importantly, she offers a detailed analysis of a range of embroideries, placing particular emphasis on the significance of the women's choice and treatment of subject matter and suggesting that topics chosen by project members frequently address histories of political and economic disempowerment as well as norms and customs that subject women to male authority.
The third text is called Light on a Hill: Building the Constitutional Court of South Africa�. The release of this book comes hot on the heels of the announcement that omm design workshop won two Awards of Excellence at the SA Institute of Architects (SAIA) gala dinner, held in Bloemfontein during September. These awards are the highest accolade the SAIA and the architectural profession can bestow on a building and omm design workshop became the first firm to receive two such awards.
