Creative Arts, Iziko at ‘In_herit’
THE Institute for Creative Arts (ICA) is partnering with Iziko Museums to present dynamic presentations on Heritage Day by ICA Fellows Amie Soudien and Thembinkosi Goniwe.
On Saturday Amy Soudien will be presenting, Following Ansla van Bengalen, one of the first freed slaves. This constitutes the first in a series of walking tours presented by Soudien, centering on the city’s untold early colonial history. Focusing exclusively on women and the narratives of slaves, indigenous people, and colonial subjects, the aim of these tours is to generate a more complex understanding of the multi-layered history and identities of Cape Town. These stories stand in opposition to the singular narrative of Jan van Riebeeck, and the European settlement of the Cape.
After her capture off the Southern coast of Bengal, Van Bengalen was brought to the Cape on the Amersfoort, which arrived in 1657. Over the course of Van Bengalen’s life, she and her family’s prospects underwent several major transformations. From working as a slave at the Old Fort amongst Jan van Riebeeck and his family, van Bengalen would find manumission and develop a significant career as an entrepreneur in Table Valley.
The tour will begin on Church Square at 11.30am. From there, Soudien will lead the group through the Company’s Gardens, ending in Kloof Street. The tour will accommodate approximately 20 participants. The meeting point is Church Square, Spin Street. For pre-registration e-mail ica@ uct.ac.za
The Art of curating Mancoba, a seminar and panel discussion conceived and facilitated by Thembinkosi Goniwe takes place at 2pm on Saturday. This event will be presented by Goniwe and will include amongst others, Athi Mongezeleli Joja, Kemang Wa Lehulere and Bridget Thompson. Panelists will present on the different ways in which they negotiate and explore in their own work, the important oeuvre of artist Ernest Mancoba. These presentations will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session. The venue will be theTH Barry Lecture Theatre at the South African Museum. E-mail ica@uct.ac.za Both events are free and all are welcome. (www.ica.uct. ac.za, ica@uct.ac.za, 021 650 7156).
Heritage Day celebrations at Iziko Museums will also offer an opportunity to reflect on our history. South Africa boasts 11 official languages and a great diversity of peoples, cultures and religions. Heritage Day offers us an opportunity to engage and explore the heritage of others.
Iziko Museums of South Africa’s annual In_Herit Festival provides an excellent occasion to connect to reflect . This year’s theme ‘ 40|50|60 – Commemorating our struggle milestones’ gives us another opportunity to follow in the footsteps of those who contributed to our journey to democracy; the 1976 Soweto Youth Uprising, the 1966 District Six removals due to the Group Areas Act and the 1956 Women’s March.
On Saturday at the Iziko South Africa Museum, festivities kick off at 10 am with traditional dancers and a fossil preparation workshop. Live spiders will be on display and you can take a guided tour of the museum exhibitions such as Natures Best Photography and African Dinosaurs. Social media enthusiasts are catered for by Happy Snappy and Selfie booths. You can also meet Megan Hector from Heart FM.
At the Iziko Slave Lodge, starting at 11 am, you can see the Ltd Edition Drummers Corp performing outside the Slave Lodge and follow them up Government Avenue to the Iziko South Africa National Gallery for a further performance. Also at the Slave lodge you can experience a performance of Inkululeko, a dance piece performed by the Indoni Dance Academy and take in the sweet sounds of the UCT Youth Jazz Band. While you are there, visit the exhibitions Red in the Rainbow and Singing Freedom - Music of the Struggle.
The public is invited to don overalls for a mural painting event at the Iziko SA National Gallery with Museum Teen Summit Africa. The Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum plays host to author and cook, Fatima Sydow at 11am.
Fashionistas are in for a treat at Iziko Groot Constantia as the Heritage Day Fashion Show, Unstitching the Past at 12 pm. Here 43 design students show their garments using the Iziko Social History Textile and Garment Collection as their departure point.
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