Exhibitions

Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi: Gymnasium is still on view online at Stevenson Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa until April 30, 2020

Gymnasium is a series of paintings and video installation by artist Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi and exhibited for the first time at the Stevenson Gallery. Remarking on the origins of this series, the artist relates how, after a period of almost exclusively painting portraits, she found herself drawn to a painting she had made years earlier. The work depicts the inside of a gymnasium, an architectural form she found arresting at the time. In it, a group of young gymnasts are painted warming up in front of a mirror. Nkosi describes returning to this image several times before its allegorical significance emerged for her; in conversation with Document Journal’s Miss Rosen, she states, ‘The artist, like the gymnast, is witnessed and judged: trying, succeeding, failing.’ The gymnasium exists as a contained universe with physical, political and emotional portents.

Rasheed Araeen: In the Midst of Darkness will be on view online at Aicon Art, New York, United States from April 16 to May 23, 2020

This exhibition marks the gallery’s foray into virtual exhibitions, an exciting space that offers new ways of engaging with art, accessible the world over. It is fitting to debut our virtual exhibitions with a pioneering voice such as artist Rasheed Araeen‘s – a voice for alternative and Non-Western interpretations of Minimalist and Conceptual art in the 1960s and 70s, outside of the typically referenced canon. The artist introduced a lattice structure into the oeuvre of Minimalism, a visual language that had come independently to Araeen at the same time as it was taking root in New York. Although, in Araeen’s case, it was linked back to his background in structural engineering. This approach of creating stable but open structures by finding inspiration in nature and the classical elements – earth, fire, air and water -is at the centre of Araeen’s innovative practice.

A response in uncertain times will be on view online at Lars Kristian Bode, Hamburg, Germany from April 18 to May 16, 2020

Being active in an international environment, Invisible Borders Agency and Lars Kristian Bode are aware of the challenging situation in the current situation, not only in Europe but also internationally. In a collective effort we would like to bring together different artists with various backgrounds. But they all have one thing in common: social commitment, especially in times of crisis. This group exhibition is only accessible online and is a reaction to a time of social distancing and forced standstill. But the exhibition counters this with the power of art and tries to build a bridge to the weaker ones - by donating 20% of the sales. This exhibition will present the work of Armand Boua, Alteronce Gumby, Mederic Turay, Riley, Holloway, Yeanzi, Chris Watts, and O’Maurice Mboa.

Biennials

22nd Biennale of Sydney is opened online from March 14 to June 18, 2020

The Biennale of Sydney – the third oldest biennial in the world after Venice and São Paulo and largest exhibition of its kind in Australia – has launched its 22nd edition. Titled NIRIN, the 2020 edition should have presented a diverse range of contemporary artworks spanning from video and photography to installations and performances, across six different venues in Sydney. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the 22nd Biennale of Sydney: NIRIN moves to digital experience. This edition will present works from 33 artists, creatives, and collectives who are participating to the virtual event. The public will be able to join evening online social tours, attend artworks tours, and follow the daily Instagram feed.

Talks

Head To Head: A conversation between Meriem Berrada and Koyo Kouoh will take place online at Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town, South Africa on April 28, 2020

People can join in on Instagram live on April 28 at 6PM GMT for a head to head conversation between Meriem Berrada, Art Director at MACAAL (Museum of Contemporary African Art Al Maaden) in Morocco, and Koyo Kouoh, Executive Director and Chief Curator of Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa) in South Africa. The two directors will address the urgencies, challenges, and opportunities affecting young contemporary art organisations on the African continent. People will be able to submit questions and be part of the conversation by commenting on the video with the hashtag, #MuseumHeadToHead