FOREWORD
Map - South Africa
The multifaceted Modern art project (Map) originated in
2005 from the impulse to combine the works of established
and emerging artists and to show such works in unexpected
spaces outside the traditional gallery context.
The Modern art project is typical of the new empathetic
economy and the destruction of the division between high
and low culture. The art work, in line with present
international art movements, is taken from the white cube
gallery for more democratic dispersement, and brought back
to the white cube for documentation and integration.
This exhibition shows new works by foremost artists and
furthermore documents the diverse spaces utilized for
the Map projects all over South Africa inclusive of
restaurants, hotels, residential spaces and a residency,
as well as special projects launched at the 2007 Innibos
arts festival, an architecture conference African
Perspectives 2009: ‘The African City Centre (re)sourced’,
hosted by the University of Pretoria and publications
relating to the projects.
The founders of the project, Harrie Siertsema and Abrie
Fourie, are to be saluted for their unwavering trust in
and support of South African artists as well as for the
fresh and innovative approach they have brought to the
domain of visual arts. The UJ Art Gallery is proud to be
associated with Map.
Annali Cabano-Dempsey
Curator: UJ Art Gallery
2011