Pro Helvetia Johannesburg celebrates 20 years of collaboration and exchange in Southern Africa
This September Pro Helvetia Johannesburg, the Southern African liaison office of the Swiss Arts Council, celebrates its 20th year in the region, alongside anniversaries of its offices in Cairo (30 years) and Delhi (10 years). They mark the moment through a specially curated collection of new projects and programmes launching during the course of the first week of September with partners and venues across Johannesburg, their home city since its office moved from Cape Town in 2012.
It’s a big week ahead this week, as they kick-off the 20th anniversary public programme across several venues in Johannesburg. Starting off with the opening of the Fak’ugesi Digital Africa Residency Exhibition at The Point of Order in Braamfontein at 4pm, 4 September. At 7pm, Uriel Orlow’s Theatrum Botanicum Exhibition Opening is at POOL at Ellis House Art Building Johannesburg in Doornfontein.
Wednesday, 5 September sees the opening of Points of Engagement and Neutrality As An Agent at Artivist in Braamfontein at 6pm. Come and meet arts professionals from their continental network who descend on Joburg at this time.
On Thursday, 6 September Bubblegum Club will present its first zine exhibition, a group show spotlighting independent publishing in South Africa and beyond at Shop 9, 70 Juta Street, Braamfontein.
Thursday, is also the opening of Museum Of Lungs at The Market Theatre at 8pm for a three-day run, followed by three more dates at the Institute for Creative Arts – ICA Festival in Cape Town.
On Friday, 7 September Orlow will launch the book Theatrum Botanicum at Market Photo Workshop, Gallery 1989. It will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Orlow, Molemo Moiloa, Pamila Gupta and George Mahashe, starting at 6:30pm.