Media Flaws

It was one of those ‘I’m-the-only-black-at-the-dinner-table’ moments until I saw Robert Suresh Roberts neatly tucked away in a corner, creating a deep contrast with the pitch white gallery walls.

I’m in Stellenbosch, for the very first time in my life, and the occasion is the opening of the Gimberg/Nerf/Sacks/Young exhibition at SMAC (Stellenbosch Modern and Contemporary art gallery), better known to others as SCAM (Stellenbosch Contemporary and Modern art gallery). Parking problems prompted us to park further and endure a short walk. A walk riddled with fears of being lynched and irrepressible feelings of displacement/disorientations coupled with a sickening sense of paranoia, as I perused the folk on the streets and Java café. At first this seemed like a well-composed scene from one of those small town movies, but I couldn’t help the feeling that my every move was being monitored. At last I reached the safety of the gallery and with a sigh of relief opted for water instead of wine. My first impression: Massively stunning gallery filled with genius works – you even forget you’re in Stellenbosch.

This time Ed Young actually did some work, for a change, exhibiting his videography masterpieces, as well as teddy bears or his pink panther range. Also liked the black version of pink panther – the Black Panther, which means something if you know your politics. Then I came across a box of Joko Tea strategically placed along a box of OMO! Those conceptual artists can be annoying sometimes! And when you approach them to say, “but that’s not art, I could have done it too” you are met with a conceptual response along the lines of “but you didn’t!”

Ruth Sacks outdid herself as usual and has also secured herself a place at this year’s Venice Biennale. Douglas Gimberg is a newbie on the commercial scene and displays a rare dare-devil mentality as he was brave enough to exhibit somewhat ordinary pieces (t-shirts) and priced them up. Nice work and impressive, I hope he doesn’t stick to conceptual art – as in the long run, no one will take him seriously or he’ll be expected to keep up with the high standards he’s setting.

Chris Nerf also had some neat works on display, included his latest copyright symbol. Having arted my self up I then proceeded to listen to Robert Suresh's speech. I don’t have much to say except maybe for the fact that I still can’t figure out why politics and Mbeki’s website were his main concerns at an art opening night. His speech regurgitated texts from Mbeki’s newsletter, George Orwell and poked the war in Zimbabwe. Audience members: ‘what’s this got to do with art?’ I later realized that these artists (Gimberg/Nerf/Sacks/Young) had cleverly included Suresh in their line-up. Had one viewed Suresh as a piece of art, then maybe and only maybe could his ‘missing-the-point’ be understood. But I still don't!

The night also featured a heavy SMAC publication entitled One Million and Forty-Four Years (and Sixty-Three Days) facilitated by Kathryn Smith. After the formalities it was mingle, mingle time – business card swopping, new acquaintances and the works. I’ll definitely be doing Stellenbosch again – should another exhibition rise…

Exhibition runs until the 5^th of May 2007 @ the Stellenbosch Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery (Tel: 021 882 8335).