FOCUS11 launches The Gig: Artistsʼ Compositions

International Wed 15-06-2011

FOCUS11 launches The Gig: Artistsʼ Compositions
Press Release

"The Gig: artists' compositions" presents Nirveda Alleck, Steve Bandoma, Nathalie Bikoro, Jan-Henri Booyens, Ntando Cele, Mohau Modisakeng, Rowan Pybus, Youssef Tabti, Ato Malinda, Fabrice Wamba and Graeme Williams. Part of FOCUS11 – Contemporary Art Africa, this exhibition consists of a selection of works chosen by curator Christine Eyene from artists' submissions.

Uppekha serie by Nermine Hammam

Nermine Hammam, 2011: "Uppekha serie"

Located in Rheingasse 33, in a non-art-dedicated venue, one stone throw from the picturesque Rhine river, and 5-minute walk from Art Basel main fair, FOCUS11 aims at giving a highlight of current and emerging trends from Africa and the diaspora. In an informal setting and relaxed atmosphere, The Gig showcases new or recent pieces ranging from painting, photography, photo-etching, collage, installation, video, sound, transient art, performances and outdoor artistic interventions.

Nirveda Alleck's

Nirveda Alleck, 2011: Continuum Chagos

The title chosen for this exhibition draws from late US curator Walter Hopps' idea of the curator as "something like a conductor striving to establish harmony between individual musicians”.

Through The Gig, Eyene aims to question the notion of curator as author and the power relations between curators and artists. As such her intervention is to be seen as a mere harmonising of artists' compositions within a set environment, added to some mediation between the art works and the visitors.


	Mohau Modisakeng, 2011: Untitled

The emphasis is therefore placed on the non-gallery-represented artists who have shown a great interest in taking part in FOCUS11, and see this event as an opportunity to be present in Basel during one of the worldʼs most important art fair, Art Basel. The show promises to give art collectors and aficionados little gems of high aesthetic and conceptual value.

FOCUS11 also features galleries Peter Herrmann (Berlin), Imane Farès (Paris), Doual'art (Douala), and Strip of Gaza (Lagos). Packed with a series of performances, workshops, and artists' talks, FOCUS11 will host on Friday 17 June “Curating in Africa and the diaspora: from network to collaborative practice”, a talk by Christine Eyene and Raphael Chikukwa, Curator of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and of the first Zimbabwe Pavilion at the 54th Venice Biennale.

The Gig: artists' compositions
15 – 19 June
Opening Tuesday 14 June from 6.00 pm until late.

Curating in Africa and the diaspora: from network to collaborative practice
Christine Eyene and Raphael Chikukwa
Friday 17 June at 6.00 pm

FOCUS11 – Contemporary Art Africa
Rheingasse 33
Basel
Switzerland
Full programme can be found here.

Media contact:
Claudio Miozzari,
Tel : +41 76 374 24 43
Email : cm@focus11.ch
www.focus11.ch

Posted By: Allan Kapten

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