Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Education and heritage to the fore at Museum Night
THE SECOND Museum Night took place in the city earlier this year and at the time Michael Tymbios of Thursday Projects – the team behind First Thursdays – promised this: “Museum Night Cape Town is an annual event, but we plan to develop and grow the programme year on year. There are plans for other editions in specific areas within the year, but nothing has been confirmed yet.”
True to his word, the V&A Waterfront will open its historic sites and other locations after hours – and for free – on Thursday, July 14. Visitors can expect a curated programme of activations, performances, food and other experiences designed to guide audiences through historical and culturally significant spaces and exhibitions, and highlight the V&A Waterfront’s museums and cultural assets. Printed guides to the evening’s activities will be available at each cultural stop, ensuring visitors can make the most of the evening’s offerings.
Participating museums include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa at the Scheryn Pavilion, Chavonnes Battery Museum, Iziko Maritime Centre, the Robben Island Jetty Museum, the Cape Town Diamond Museum, the Golf Hall of Fame, and the Springbok Experience Rugby Museum.
Although the Zeitz Museum is still under construction, visitors will be able to learn more about the Thomas Heatherwick-designed building and the institution at the Pavilion, along with a programme spread around the V&A Waterfront.
A one-hour programme of new media works can be viewed at the amphitheatre, with a self-guided tour of public artworks beginning with the unveiling of Kyle Morland’s Falsework IV sculpture at 5pm.
The Watershed will transform into a Creative Exchange from 6pm onwards, with speed dating-style skill sharing sessions, art installations and exhibitions, and selfguided Meet- the- Maker pop- ups throughout the venue. Attendees can enjoy music by DJ Waxon, and the Bring Your Own Beamer projection installations. This internationally recognised exhibition sees moving image artists in cities around the world bringing their work to a central location in their city, and provides free exhibition space for those working creatively in moving images and videography.
Visitors will also be able to take in Cape Town’s marine assets during the evening, with a 50 percent discount on entrance fees to the Two Ocean Aquarium from 5pm onwards. Museums will be open between 5pm and 9pm.
www.museum-night.co.za