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Enjoy the Investec Cape Town Art Fair
Free digital event gives art lovers access to two art fairs
This is an old feature: Read about the February 2024 Investec Cape Town Art Fair.
Some of Africa and Europe’s most unique and renowned galleries showcasing art from some of the most established, admired artists. Add to that comfortable (and free) access to you from your couch. That is the Investec Cape Town Art Fair Digital Event.
REGISTER (FREE) FOR AFRICA’S LEADING ART EVENT
Every sector has had to innovate in the past year. So, too, Africa’s leading art fair, Investec Cape Town Art Fair, which is running a free all-digital event that will give art lovers access to two art fairs across two continents (it runs parallel to miart International Modern and Contemporary Art Fair in Milan).
Rhizome, Dramane Diarra, Intellectual Onanism. Image courtesy of Rhizome Gallery.
Investec Cape Town Art Fair Director Laura Vincenti elaborates: “There is a transformation happening in the art world. The first Investec Cape Town Art Fair Digital Event gives us an opportunity to support and showcase South African artists whilst continuing to connect with international galleries, businesses, media and creatives.” 
Kilmany-Jo Liversage_OLEANDA721()_120x120cm. Image courtesy of WORLDART.
(RE)CONNECT WITH LOCAL + INTERNATIONAL ART
From Friday 17 to Sunday 19 September 2021 you can enjoy art from some of Africa’s top artists – Conrad Botes, Leila Rose Fanner, Wim Botha, Ayanda Mabula, Daniel Malan, Turiya Magadlela, to mention just a few, and Europe’s Massimo Kaufmann and Gianni Pettena – from anywhere you find yourself in the world.
VIPs will gain prior access to the site from 15 to 16 September (invitation only) so they get first viewings and dibs on art.
Investec Cape Town Art Fair.
IT’S A TASTER OF WHAT’S TO COME IN FEB
The digital event has many functions: it’s a preview of what’s to come when the in-person Investec Cape Town Art Fair is hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 18 - 20 February, 2022. It’s also an opportunity to support the artists, whose income has been affected by the shutting of many shows, including Investec Cape Town Art Fair, says Peta Dixon, Investec’s Head of Sponsorships.
Jodi Windvogel, Trading In Transit 2, Print on Ilford gold fibre pearl, 290gsm, Edition 1 of 30, Signed, 600 x 400mm. Image courtesy Kalashnikovv Gallery.
This digital show will allow exposure to a great deal of artists across Europe and Africa, and means you can take your time to explore and decide which artists you want to focus on at the in-person Investec Cape Town Art Fair.
As one gallerist explains, a great positive of virtual fairs is that, thanks to very high-quality professional images, you can zoom in and explore the works in great detail.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
The digital event has a stimulating line-up with videos, art works from paintings and sculptures to photography and performance art, virtual tours and discussions.
Gonçalo Mabunda_The Percieved as Ceribo_2020_cm 50x67x22. Image courtesy Galleria Giovanni Bonelli.
ART IN THE DIGITAL ARENA
The industry’s shift to online has meant greater visibility for artists and the opportunity for galleries to access a whole new set of collectors. Many gallerists agree. “Online events could help to present works with specific big sizes and insights that allows collectors to have a more complete idea of the specific approach of an artist that they may not know,” says Giovanni Bonelli from his eponymous gallery.
Manyaku Mashilo in the studio. Image courtesy of 99 Loop.
HOW IT WILL WORK + WHERE TO REGISTER (IT’S FREE)
The digital event will be presented through Artshell, a web and app-accessible platform. Viewers sign in and navigate through the site, which is well presented and easy to use.
Click on a visual in a gallery and you can find out about the work, the artist who created it, and links to other art they have created. In addition, you can also engage directly with the gallerists, should you wish to find out more.
Norman O'Flynn_Always_95x80cm_2021. Image courtesy of WORLDART
“While we still firmly believe that a digital event cannot replace the transformative nature of an in-person art experience, the digital event has accelerated our commitment to providing the best service to our galleries, artists, VIPs and visitors,” says Laura.
Wim Botha, SCENES FROM THE RIVER 17, 2021. Walnut, glass and dichroic film. 22 x 34.5 x 22cm. Image Courtesy Stevenson Gallery.
FREE REGISTRATION IS OPEN, FOLLOW THESE STEPS
- Go to investeccapetownartfair.co.za home page, click the ENTER HERE button.
- Register with your name, surname and email address – you can now login.
- You are now on the digital event homepage where you will see a list of galleries, click on the galleries to see artists and artworks and their listed events.
- Enjoy navigating and exploring through the site, focus section and insights by Investec, interesting speakers and videos and highlights.
Ghizlane_sahli-histoires_de_tripes-076. Image courtesy of Sakhile&Me.
Free registration opens on the 17th September at 9am
Follow them on their Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
In all aspects the art fair promises to be a treat.
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For Further reading
Enjoy regular trips into the world of art with these galleries in and around the city.
Galleries and wine go together, so check o:ut whether these wine tastings are close by.
In Hermanus there’s a fabulous art walk on the First Friday of the month.
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