UPCOMING COURSES IN WEEK ONE (4 – 8 May 2015)
Starting on Monday:
Introduction to African Cinema
Monday – Wednesday: 4th, 5th, 6th May, 17:30 -19:00 (3 sessions)
Artscape Theatre, Resource Centre
This 3-part evening course is presented by two lecturers: Dr Litheko Modisane, lecturer in African Literature at Wits University, his doctoral thesis focused on ‘black-centred films’ in South Africa from 1959-2001; and Dr Ian-Malcolm Rijsdijk a senior lecturer in the Centre for Film and Media Studies, and director of the African Cinema Unit at the University of Cape Town.
Modisane and Rijsdijk of the University of Cape Town’s African Cinema Unit (ACU) will provide insights into key trends, filmmakers and films within African cinema. A host of African films will also be screened as part of the course and used to ground and open up discussion around African cinema:
R350 for the course; bursaries available upon request.
Starting on Tuesday:
There will be four parallel (I, II, III, IV) courses to choose from:
I. Climate Change and Food Security in Africa
Tuesday – Thursday: 5th, 6th, 7th May, 17:30 -19:00 including fieldtrip on Saturday 9 May , 08:00-13:00 (4 sessions)
District Six Museum Homecoming Centre (15 Buitenkant Street)
This 4-part course is presented by Luke Meterlerkamp, Research Fellow and Co-ordinator of the Sustainability Institute’s Food Systems Programme.
The course gives an introductory overview of the South African food system and current thinking from around the world on the role food plays from plate to planet. The field trip at Spier Wine Farm outside Stellenbosch, will be led by Neil Graham -a permaculturalist based between Spier and the Sustainability Institute.
R500 for the course; bursaries available upon request.
II. Colonialism, Neo-colonialism and the Prospects for Emancipatory Politics in the Post-Colony
Tuesday – Thursday: 5th, 6th, 7th May, 17:30 -19:00 (3 sessions)
District Six Museum Homecoming Centre (15 Buitenkant Street)
This 3-part evening course is presented by Dr Richard Pithouse, political theorist and lecturer at Rhodes University together with a host of leading figures in African thought.
The first lecture will examine colonialism through the lens grounded by Aimé Césaire’s pamphlet, Discourse on Colonialism, first published in 1956. The second lecture will introduce the idea of neo-colonialism via an exploration of The Pitfalls of National Consciousness, the third chapter of Frantz Fanon’s The Wretched of the Earth, first published in 1961. The third lecture will use a 2011 essay by Achille Mbembe, Democracy as Community Life, to explore the prospects for rethinking emancipation amidst the malaise of the post-colony.
R350 for the course; bursaries available upon request.
III. Indian Oceans, Contemporary Art and Urban Culture and Cities in Africa
Tuesday – Thursday: 5th, 6th, 7th May, 17:30 -19:00 (3 sessions)
District Six Museum Homecoming Centre (15 Buitenkant Street)
This 3-part evening course is presented by Dr Ashraf Jamal, currently based in the Faculty of Design and Informatics at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
This short series will cover three themes, the first on contemporary South African and African art. The second will focus on the cultural exchange and mutual influences of Africa and the Indian Ocean. The third looks at Port Cities and Intruders, looking particularly at Cape Town and understanding our story within it.
R350 for the course; bursaries available upon request.
IV. The power and history of the Mbira and its connection to Great Zimbabwe
Tuesday, 5th May 15:00 – 16:00 (1 session)
Cape Town Central Library
This session is presented by Kudawashe, professional Mbira player and performer based in Cape Town.
Kudawashe draws parallels between spirituality, spirit worship and its connections with Mbira music. The origins of Mbira, Mbira players and composers and its role in contemporary and ancient society linked to Great Zimbabwe will also be explored.
R150 for the lecture; bursaries available upon request.
Starting on Wednesday:
Congolese Music in Cape Town
Wednesday, 6th May 15:00 -17:00 (1 session)
Cape Town Central Library
This session is presented by singer, storyteller and local entrepreneur, Sylvestre Kabassidi of Congo Brazzaville.
This session takes participants through the history and origins of La Rumba and Kwassa-kwassa, from its debut to the 21st century. The session looks at the influence of Congolese music in the world, and in particular the music scene in Cape Town. The last 20 minutes will include an interactive live performance.
This event is free. Registration is still essential.
Starting on Thursday:
African Arts Festivals Now
Thursday, 7th May 17:30 -19:00 (1 session)
District Six Museum Homecoming Centre (15 Buitenkant Street)
This session is presented by Peter Rorvik, Secretary General of Arterial Network – one of Africa’s largest intercultural networks, and previous Director of four annual pan-African festivals.
The session explores festivals as crucial trade and marketing platforms for established and emerging artists across Africa, latest developments and trends in African festival networks as well as contemporary examples from all regions of the continent.
R150 for the lecture; bursaries available upon request.
The African Arts Institute intends running the African Arts Campus as a self-sustaining annual project and is grateful for the support of its main funder the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF). Bursaries to attend the Campus are also available upon request. Registration is online: www.afai.org.za/events
The NLDTF relies on funds from the proceeds of the National Lottery. The Lotteries Act guides the way in which NLDTF funding may be allocated. The NLDTF wants the grants to make a difference to the lives of all South Africans, especially those more vulnerable and to improve the sustainability of the beneficiary organisations. Available funds are distributed to registered and qualifying non-profit organisations in the fields of charities; arts; culture and national heritage; and sport and recreation. By placing its emphasis on areas of greatest need and potential, the NLDTF contributes to South Africa’s development.
For more information about the campus please contact:
Sophia Sanan
African Arts Campus Course Convenor
sophia@afai.org.za
Artslink.co.za Account:
Sophia Sanan
sophia@afai.org.za
021 465 9027
African Arts Institute
source artlink.co.za