31 MARCH 2021
M y Easter
THE VILLAGE NEWS
15
Hermanus FynArts: What’s on the menu? T
tion on the FynArts 2021 programme, plans are underway for school holiday family fun from 23 – 27 April and the adapted FynArts Festival from 16 – 20 June. The latter dates may be extended to accommodate a full programme of talks, music, workshops, demonstrations and films which will be presented in smaller, more intimate and cosy venues for a fusion of winter warmth, quality entertainment and intellectual stimulation.
he programme format for the annual Hermanus FynArts festival, traditionally presented over ten days in June, had to be amended in 2020 because of Covid protocols. Now in its ninth year, the newly restructured programme for Fynarts 2021 promises to be as uplifting, stimulating and fun as in past years – and will extend over a far longer period. FynArts 2021 started with exhibitions at the FynArts Gallery. The latest, TimeOut, opened last week with a group exhibition of 20 ceramic artists. Then the first FynArts weekend programmes for 2021 at the end of February kicked off most successfully with two sold-out performances by Nataniël and Charl du Plessis, two recitals by Charl, a number of workshops and the painting of additional bollards at the Old Harbour by local artists. Over Easter FynArts is offering two special events, both featuring the internationally esteemed musician, performer and educator, Pedro Espi-Sanchis, aka Pedro the Music Man. (See all the details in What’s On, page 8.) Pedro the Music Man has presented many performances for children and adults both in South Africa and all over the world. Many of his performances are storytelling shows where musical instruments and music making principles are introduced to family type audiences in a very participatory style, making sound pictures for the stories and often also playing instruments.
Festival Director Mary Faure is also pleased to announce that the popular Tollman Bouchard Finlayson Art Award and the unique exhibition of the finalists’ tondi will again take place this year from 18 June – 30 September as part of the revamped FynArts 2021 festival.
Pedro Espi-Sanchis, aka Pedro the Music Man will present two special events for FynArts over Easter.
The last show Pedro performed in Madrid (El Castillo del Silencio) involved the whole audience of 250 taking part in the finale. Over the last few years Pedro has built a strong musical relationship with Madosini, the famous Xhosa musician with whom he tours music, story telling and poetry festivals around the world. Apart from other interim events and presenta-
‘Biomicmicry’, the 2020 theme selected by Peter Finlayson, founder of Bouchard Finlayson, has been carried over for this year’s competition. “During the past year of uncertainty we have reflected on nature, our environment and our planet. Biomimicry – design inspiration from nature – has therefore become even more relevant now than it was at the end of 2019 when the theme was initially selected,” says Mary. “For those of you who would like to add to the artwork/s that you have already completed, as well as those who would still like to take up the challenge and enter the competition, there is more than enough time to do so.”
The rules, including criteria for artists and registration forms can be downloaded at hermanusfynarts.co.za. A few important points for this year’s competition and exhibition include: • The closing date for entries is Friday 5 June 2021. • The opening of the exhibition of finalists on the barrelheads in the Bouchard Finlayson cellar will take place on Friday 18 June at 12:00. • The exhibition will run for an extended period, until 30 September 2021. • The maximum diameter for the tondi remains at 60cm. However there is now a minimum diameter of 40cm to allow for a visually improved exhibition. • The increased number of judges (from three to five) will include well-respected artists as well as one representative from Bouchard Finlayson and one representative from the FynArts Advisory Board. For more information, please contact Lorna at artcompetition@hermanusfynarts.co.za. Opening hours for viewing will include Sundays for the full duration of the exhibition. “Our sincere thanks to the Tollman family and the staff of the Bouchard Finlayson Winery for their continued collaboration and support,” says Mary. “We look forward very much to an inspiring, thought-provoking and stimulating exhibition.”
