Archive: Issue No. 46, June 2001

From: Wilma Cruise
Subject: Wilma Cruise: HYS SUSP
Date received: June 16 2001

While one is always grateful for a mention (cf Gauteng listings), I was somewhat put out by the description of my "foray" into the "brave new world" of multi-media. I did not like the patronising assumption that it was my first "attempt" to use multi-media. As your writer - whom I assume is the bright, articulate Kathryn Smith - well knows, I have used multi-media installations before, notably in the Monument to the Women of South Africa at the Union buildings. That work uses text, quadrophonically projected sound, a found object and moving light (Gobos), all electronically controlled. Smith herself had described the work as creating "'equivalences of experience' without falling into an old fashioned rhetoric. It is not about a simulation of experience, but an experience made up of 'real' objects that is more evocative that didactic" (ArtThrob, August 2000). Perhaps a visit to 'HYS SUSP' would correct the assumption that I am a novitiate?
Wilma Cruise

Kathryn Smith replies: Under no circumstances did I want to imply that you were a "novitiate". The phrases "foray" and "brave new world" were a reference to the growing interest in new media, and an acknowledgement of your use of this (which has not been extensive, but is very focused). For the many who know you best as a sculptor, it is my hope that a bit of hype around the new media angle could serve to demystify these associated processes, which are becoming more and more mutually dependent. Your work serves as a case in point.

From: Risa Bredenkamp risa@lantic.net
Subject: Tretchikoff
Date received: May 28

I want to inform you that I am a very keen collector of Tretchikoff's works. I have a few prints, books and videos available. Anyone who is interested can mail me.
Kind regards
Risa Bredenkamp
Tel: (021) 975 1864 or 083 402 5998
PO Box 3173, Durbanville, Cape Town, 7551, South Africa

Thank you Risa. Judging by the number of people who write to ArtThrob with inquiries about Tretchikoff, there ought to be some takers.

From: Geoff Grundlingh meridian@worldonline.co.za
Subject: Leon Levson prints
Date received: May 21

I am trying to find original Leon Levson prints. I am aware of those in MuseumAfrica and the Bensusan collections. The Mayibuye Centre only holds negatives. There is a small collection in Chicago. If you know of any other print holdings please contact me.
Thank you
Geoff Grundlingh

Can anyone out there help?

From: Thinus Mathee tmathee@nt.tritek.ac.za
Subject: Masters and Doctoral qualifications
Date received: May 24

If any one knows someone with a Masters or Doctoral qualification in photography please let me know. All help would be much appreciated.

Thinus Mathee
HOD: Graphic Design and Photography
Faculty of Humanities
Vaal Triangle Technikon
P/Bag X021, Vanderbijlpark, 1900

Tel: (016) 950-9309
Fax: (016) 950-9789

From: Evert Robles evertrobles@hotmail.com
Subject: Link
Date received: May 26

Hi,
I would like to link to you. I love your site. Great design and content. I was in South Africa four months ago. It was a great experience, very nice people.

Evert A Robles Art Gallery, Amsterdam
www.evertrobles.com

Have a great day
Evert

Thanks for your kind words and please feel free to link to ArtThrob.

From: John Roome All4one@yebo.co.za
Subject: Land art
Date received: May 13

I am searching for info on land art in SA. The ArtThrob search engine doesn't give me anything on "land art" because I think it only works on headings or something. Anyway I know there must be stuff and I did find something on Strijdom van der Merwe for instance. Can you give me any pointers as to other key words or names to search for?
Thanks
John Roome

ArtThrob's search engine does search text but the exact phrase may not have been used on the site. A while back I wrote a review on '!Xoe 2 Off Site', in which I made brief mention of land art-type work. I don't remember the names of any of these artists, but a search for 'Xoe' should find them. Strijdom van der Merwe is probably the only well known South African working in this way. He's overseas at the moment, but can be contacted on strijdomvdm@hotmail.com. Coincidentally a large project of this sort was to take place in Kirstenbosch Gardens early next year but unfortunately fell through last week.

From: Mike Mazarick mazarick@bellsouth.net
Subject: Trying to connect two modern dancers
Date received: May 13

I would like to ask a little help from you if possible. I would like to introduce my daughter (a modern dancer in the US) to another modern dancer in South Africa with the same (rare) last name. The dancer I am interested in finding for introduction is Athena Mazarakis. My daughter is Megan Mazarick. I had noticed a review of Athena's dance while poking around the web. The two probably find they have a lot in common. Megan is a senior at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro majoring in modern dance and spent last year in Perth, Australia studying dance. She has also performed twice at the American Dance Festival; once with David Dorfman and once with Brenda Angel (Argentina). Heck, they might even be related! (Mazarick was my grandfather's efforts at "Americanising" Mazarakis - it is still misspelled regularly even with the simplification).

What I would like is an email address for Athena Mazarakis or one of her friends so I can pass a message from my daughter to her. Unfortunately, my Megan is technophobic and hates computers/email/etc. I can't even get her to keep her cell phone charged up. Megan can use one of her friend's email addresses if Athena is interested in corresponding with her "cousin" in the US and if she can be located/notified.
Regards,
Mike Mazarick

Mike, I have asked around a little but haven't been able to come up with anything. I'm trying to get hold of contact details for Robyn Orlin, a Johannesburg-based choreographer. This site does not specialise in the field of dance, but sometimes our areas of interest overlap. Maybe someone will read this letter and help you out. Good luck.

From: Anita Smit wipplank@mweb.co.za
Subject: Art project
Date received: May 06

Hello
I am a matric student at Oakhill School, Knysna. I have to do a portfolio art project on any aspect of South African arts or craft, and after doing some research, I have found that prison art in South Africa could make for an interesting topic. I am excited about extending my research to visiting actual prison sites. However, I am finding difficulty in finding information on the net. If you have any information on the topic, I would really appreciate it if you could email it to me! This could include information on artists or other websites/contacts you might know of. I also noticed that Sue WIlliamson shows an interest in related topics, and would really like to contact her personally - if you could supply a contact address/number? I might just add that I find your website generally very informative - a great help!
Thank you
Anita Smit

Ian Waldeck did a project with inmates of Leeuwkop Prison in 1995. Information on this can be found in Sue Williamson and Ashraf Jamal's book Art in South Africa: The Future Present. ArtThrob's search engine may have more info as well. A Durban-based artist and teacher called Brendon Bussy has also run a number of projects with children and adults in prisons in KwaZulu-Natal. You can contact him at bmstekker@eastcoast.co.za

From: Margo D'Angelo webfairy@pacbell.net
Subject: Vladimir Tretchikoff
Date received: May 10

I have come across a book that is signed and numbered dated 1955 for the US called Tretchikoff. It has many pictures and articles about the life of Vladimir Tretchikoff and is very interesting. It is signed by him and hand numbered in the inside front cover and also signed again on his self-portrait. His artwork is either shown on a page or attached to a page as a print that can be removed if desired. If there is any information I can look up that may help you, feel free to email me.
Margo

There is much interest in Tretchikoff, despite the fact that his work is regarded dismissively by most contemporary artists in South Africa. Just last year a work of his obtained a record price on auction here. I suggest you contact one of the auction houses, such as Christie's or Sotheby's, for a valuation.

From: Pippa Stalker stalkerp@pixie.co.za
Subject: Joanne Bloch
Date received: May 02

Hi
I'm a Fine Arts 3rd year student at Wits University and we are doing a curatorial project this semester and I was actually wondering if you have Joanne Bloch's email address or phone number or something. I suppose the email address is probably better because I'm sure she wouldn't be giving her phone number out to just anybody. Obviously I understand if you can't help me. Thank you
Pippa Stalker