Consignments open for new virtual auction
‘Taking Flight’ depicts a running boy dissolving into seagulls, and judging by the number of seagulls and dassies lining the wall beside the work, it’s proving to be a hit with locals.
Gavin Younge is speechless. “Clearly, these people have completely misunderstood the intention of the piece which is based on classical Greek mythology. I have no objection to art criticism when a piece’s success or failure is based on merit; it is certainly not unusual. But this emotional outburst on social media is utterly irrational. In fact, I find it depressing that this intimidatory attitude of members of the Hermanus public is receiving so much coverage. Can you imagine what message it is sending to the rest of the world? And sadly, it is drawing attention away from the excellent work on display.”
PHOTO: Taylum Meyer
Another piece inviting interaction is entitled ‘Kombuis’ by the Land and Nature Art Collective in which a large engraved sandstone rock provides a hollowed out space to catch rainwater for birds to drink. And certainly no visitor can walk past David Griessel’s many-legged ‘Travelling Hermit’ without a smile. Given this lively sense of joy and energy, as well as the world-class quality of the work, the furore that has broken out around one work, ‘The Hunt’ by Nanette Ranger, can be put down to nothing else but some form of lockdown lunacy by a small group of local residents. This sculpture of a naked woman with the mask of a kudu on her head (what could be more relevant in the time of Covid-19?) has called forth not only a torrent of scurrilous invective, but criminal threats of injury to both the sculpture and the exhibition organisers.
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www.thevillagenews.co.za
26 August 2020
ABOVE: ‘The travelling hermit’ – David Griessel. David has been working with new material and new technologies, in this case 3D printing, and in this humorous work, he takes a wry look at the human condition and the fatal consequences that might follow if we dispose of our environment or habitat. BELOW: ‘The Hunt’ – Nanette Ranger. Through the image of a naked woman wearing a Kudu-head mask, the artist draws on Grecian mythology to explore our ideological separation from nature and the need to re-integrate with it at a physical and psychological level.
North/South is the name of Strauss & Co’s exciting new cross-country, cross-departmental live virtual auction of art, fine wine and decorative arts, due to be held over five consecutive days from 8 – 12 November 2020. This multi-day virtual sale replaces Strauss & Co’s remaining two flagship live sales – scheduled for October (Cape Town) and November (Johannesburg) – with a single, consolidated live virtual sale supported by a catalogue. Consigning, viewing and selling for this amalgamated sale will take place concurrently in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Strauss & Co is currently inviting consignments for its North/South sale at its Cape Town and Johannesburg offices. Consignments close end of August 2020. Strauss & Co is South Africa’s leading auction house focusing on fine and decorative arts, jewellery, collectibles and wine. Founded in 2009 by a consortium of business leaders and industry experts, including the late auctioneer Stephan Welz, Strauss & Co has the highest market share globally amongst the four leading auction houses specialising in South African art. It began its
digital journey in 2013 and in 2020 successfully hosted South Africa’s first-ever virtual live auction. Committed to education and community engagement, Strauss & Co underwrites various initiatives and has also been a major sponsor of Hermanus FynArts for several years. Strauss & Co was awarded the prestigious Chairman’s Premier Award at the 2018 annual BASA Awards for its sustained and extraordinary commitment to the arts in South Africa. North/South is a refinement rather than a wholesale reimagining of Strauss & Co’s historical live sales. The cross-country and cross-departmental format of North/South was suggested by the success of Strauss & Co’s virtual auctions in May and July. These socially distant events were necessitated by regulations contained in the Disaster Management Act, and North/South is a further adaptive response in Strauss & Co’s long-term digital journey. Strauss & Co will also be holding two more online-only auctions from 12 – 19 October and from 16 – 23 November 2020. For more information visit www.straussart.co.za or contact 021 683 6560 or ann@straussart.co.za.
PHOTO: Taylum Meyer
Ironically, this is surely an example of the human animal at its most illogical, narrow-minded and mean-spirited – and of how deeply we have become estranged from our natural environment. As it is, we are doing our best to wipe off the face of the earth some of the most beautiful and strange creatures the Great Creator wrought for our delight. A selection of smaller work by the artists who are taking part in this year’s Sculpture on the Cliffs are on exhibit at the FynArts Gallery in The Courtyard off Harbour Road (behind The Wine Glass). For further information about the exhibition, contact FynArts administrator Chantel Louskitt on 060 957 5371.
Creative Collection of ceramic art The chair of Hermanus First Fridays, Liz Coates, has again curated a ceramics exhibition for FynArts, which will be opened by Mardre Meyer, creative director of Source IBA, on Saturday 29 August at 11:00. Whereas in previous years this popular exhibition was hosted in the Windsor Hotel, the venue this year is the Kunskantoor premises in The Courtyard (next to the FynArts Gallery) off Harbour Road. A total of 29 ceramic artists are participating in this group exhibition, entitled ‘Creative Collection’, including well-known names such as Eunice Botes, Tania Babb, Catherine Brennon, Mark Chapman, Siyabonga Fani, Hennie Meyer, Margot Rudolph, Wiebke von Bismarck, Tiffany Wallace and Sinethemba Xola.
Maggie Laubser, Boy in a Fez
R500 000 - 700 000
Thinking of Selling your Artworks? Consignments open for NORTH/SOUTH Strauss & Co’s new cross-country live virtual flagship auction For free and confidential valuations, email images and information to: ann@straussart.co.za | 021 683 6560 Entries for consignments close 31 August 2020 www.straussart.co.za
