IN-RESPONSE: ART OF THE SPACE AGE

Selling group exhibition Jan Rupert Art Centre Graaff-Reniet until 21 May 2023

During 2012-2015, the Jan Rupert Art Centre hosted the exhibition Art of the Space Age featuring the works of international artists Giacomo Balla, Victor Vasarely, Auguste Herbin, and Yaacov Agam amongst others from the Huberte Goote Collection, managed by the Rupert Museum. Works featured were abstract, bright, colourful, and energetic; through optical illusions and kinetic movement the visitors were invited to question their eyes and doubt their perception.

IN-MOTION: Art of the Space Age, a reworked exhibition featuring a bigger selection of these works opened end 2021 in Stellenbosch. With this, the second Open Call of the Rupert Museum was launched - inviting all creatives from any industry to respond to these iconic and ground-breaking inventions created in the eye of 1960s popular futuristic trends.

As a result, over 200 entries were received with the judging panel reaching a conclusion of 39 successful applicants whose responsive artworks are now the IN-RESPONSE: Art of the Space Age exhibition. In summary, the pieces featured in the selling group exhibition provide a contemporary take and materialbased approach to the icons that served as its inspiration. The artists sought symbolic meaning while exploring the possibilities of their chosen subject, material and its execution.

Abstract, pixilation and ‘warped’ images emerged from Louw van Zyl, Maré van Noordwyk, Tony Pietersen, John Lizamore, Pedro Malada and Pyda Nyariri. Skill and a mix of printmaking techniques are expressed through the work of Collin Cole, Dina Kroon, Heather Moore and Monique DayWilde. Eve de Jong, Cecil Cameron, Gaelen Pinnock, Yolandi Schreuder, Jacky Lloyd, Rika Haasbroek, Cornelia Wessels, Ilze-Mari Maartens, Paul Birchall, Erna Ziegelmeier, Hendrien Horn and John Bauer all portray endless play, the finest of geometric detail, and innovative approaches in plastic, metal, wood, marble, and clay. An energized feeling emerges through the tactile, colourful, and expressive combinations by Amita Makan, Dal Botha, Sheila Walwyn, Diana Vandeyar,

Kiveshan Thumbiran, Brahmgyani series, Shiva Ram, Digital prints on Epson advanced Matte paper

Diana Vandeyar, Quilt in Motion, Fibre Art

Isibane Primary School and Ilukuluku Collective workshop. Courtesy of Ilukuluku Collective

Nicki Friedlein, Primrose Charmz, Monique Etsebeth, Dylan McGarry and Teyana Neufeld. Digital displays that combine elements of technology, sound, movement, print and material bring the theme into the age of the now, these works are by Asha Zero, Cecilia Maartens, Nicholas Hales, Oliver Mayhew, Herman Pretorius, Torick Hatha, Bonolo Chepape and Khiveshan Thumbiran.

The external boundary wall of the centre now features a permanent mural stretching over 43 meters and feature 15 vibrant colours. This is the work of the Ilukuluku Collective that was envisioned and realized the designs of 20 learners from the local primary school Isibane. These learners engaged in an afternoon workshop with Ilukuluku exploring architecture, design, colour and shape – ending in a joyful afternoon of play and happiness.

Visit the Jan Rupert Art Centre to share in this happiness and journey through the space to question, explore and engage. Each artists’ statement about their response and details to acquire pieces is available in the online catalogue, accessible on rupertmuseum.org.