Über(W)unden — Art in Troubled Times consists of a conference and cultural interventions. The conference takes place from September 7 to 10 from 10am – 3.30pm.
On the conference days, buses leave from the Goethe-Institut to the venues of the interventions. It is possible to attend only individual events. Parking is available.
September 6
6.30pm — Reading: Antjie Krog and Sindiwe Magona at Goethe-Institut
At the opening event, the two South African authors will read from their latest works.
September 7
The artist’s reaction: How does social trauma impact on or even define the works of artists? With Antjie Krog (South Africa), Marcel Odenbach, (Germany) and Paul Grootboom, South Africa.
4pm — Installation and walkabout: In Still Waters Crocodiles Lurk, Turning Circles, Marcel Odenbach at Goethe-Institut.
With this video work, the German artist Marcel Odenbach focuses on the Rwanda genocide in 1994. He describes the installation as “a subjective documentation about a drama in seven chapters”.
8pm — Theatre: Hayani, Warren Nebe, Atandwa Kani, Nat Ramabulana at Market Theatre Laboratory.
The play Hayani tells personal stories, set during South Africa’s transitional years, with honesty and humour. Tickets are available at Computicket and at the door. Hayani runs from August 30 to September 9.
September 8
Can the arts heal trauma? with Djo Tunda Wa Munga (DRC), Sam Hopkins/Vincenzo Cavallo (Kenya), Hayley Berman (South Africa) and Théogène Niwenshuti (Rwanda).
5pm — Performance/intervention in public space: Na Ku Randza, Nothando Mkhizwe, Breeze Yoko at August House.
Artistic interventions in the Jo’burg CBD can be discovered during these walks, starting at the August House (76 End Street corner of Moseley St, parking is limited).
6.30pm — Film: The Axe and the Tree, Rumbi Katedza, Bioscope, Q&A with the director present.
8.30pm — Film: The State of Mind, Djo Tunda Wa Munga, Bioscope, Q&A with the director present.
September 9
Artists within times of crisis with Véronique Tadjo (Ivory Coast/South Africa), Rumbi Katedza (Zimbabwe), Dorcy Rugamba (Rwanda), Jens Dietrich (Germany) and Aboudia (Ivory Coast).
4pm — Exhibition and walkabout: Aboudia at Goethe-Institut.
With his large canvases, painter Aboudia directly reacted to the crisis in Cote d’Ivoire.
5pm — Film: War Child, Karim Chrobog, Bioscope, Q&A with director present.
8pm — Dance: More, more, more —future, Faustin Linyekula, Dance Factory. Tickets are R40.
September 10
Personal trauma and artistic reactions with Faustin Linyekula (DRC), Kudzanai Chiuarai (Zimbabwe/South Africa) and Emmanuel Jal (Sudan).
5pm — Performance: Tshwene ga ipone makopo, Sello Pesa at the Old Stock Exchange, Newtown.
Sello Pesa chose the Old Stock Exchange as the venue for a piece that looks at racial relationships in modern South Africa. Part of the New Dance Festival, tickets are R40.
8pm — Concert: Emmanuel Jal and Tumi and the Volume, Alexander Theatre
Former Sudanese child soldier and now hip-hop artist Emmanuel Jal performs at the Alexander Theatre in Braamfontein. His innovative musical style and his message of peace and reconciliation made his albums climb to the top of the world music charts. Supported by local legend Tumi and the Volume. Tickets are R80 at Computicket and R100 at the door.
September 11
11am — Exhibition and walkabout: The Division of the Earth, Dierk Schmidt/Malte Jaguttis at Freedom Park, Pretoria.
Schmidt and Jaguttis’ work is a response to the brutality of colonial border-drawing at the Berlin Africa conference in 1884/85, when European powers and the United States divided the African continent. The two will be available for a Q&A. For the bus from the Goethe-Institut, RSVP to 011 442 3232.
1pm — In conversation: William Kentridge, Dierk Schmidt, Malte Jaguttis, Goethe-Institut.
Kentridge, Schmidt and Jaguttis will discuss the transformation of trauma and enlightenment into artistic work, exemplified by Kentridge’s work Black Box/ Chambre Noir and Schmidt’s Division of the Earth.
3pm — Music: United African Utopias, João Orrechia, Hans Narva at Gandhi Square
Various musicians workshop ideal types of African future states and create fictive national anthems, presented at Gandhi Square as the closing event of über(W)unden. Underground parking available.
Über(W)unden — Art in Troubled Times takes place from September 6 to 11 at the Goethe-Institut and other venues in Johannesburg. For more information, go to: goethe.de/johannesburg
To take part in the conversation on Twitter, use the hashtag #ueberwunden