Exhibition

The Roger Ballen Foundation is proud to announce an international photographic showcase, an exhibition of three world renowned artists Vik Muniz, Stephen Shore and Janaina Tschape. This is a continuation of the Foundation’s education and exhibition programme that follows Stephen Shore’s critically acclaimed workshop, lectures and exhibition in Cape Town last year. Not only will this exhibition mark the first time Muniz, Shore and Tschape show their work in Johannesburg, but will also treat us to many of the photographers’ most iconic and important works. The exhibition opens at the Johannesburg Art Gallery in July and will mark the official inauguration of the Roger Ballen Foundation in Johannesburg.

In addition, Shelley Rice, Professor of Art History at New York University will lead the educational programme. This will include seminars and public conversation focusing on art dialogue and photographic criticism. Organised in conjunction with Witwatersrand University and the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the Roger Ballen Foundation brings you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate and witness this exceptional photographic discourse.

The three part photography exhibition and lecture series is part of the Foundation’s larger mission to promote photographic education in South Africa by showcasing world-class photographers whose work has not yet been seen locally. Also included is an exciting educational programme mediated by Shelley Rice, Professor of Photography at NYU, in which photographers, students and the general public will have the opportunity to participate in lectures and workshops.

Schedule

The Roger Ballen Foundation is dedicated to promoting the education of photography in South Africa by developing programmes that further the appreciation and understanding of the photographic medium. It is the first institution of its kind to focus on bringing international photographers who are at the forefront of their art to South Africa.

Vik Muniz is one of today’s foremost contemporary artists. The premise of his work is the reinterpretation of iconic images drawn from art history and popular culture through the medium of photography. The photographs depict well-known pictures drawn in a wide range of materials, from chocolate syrup to toys, from diamonds to air. Muniz’s witty, yet emotively charged photographs have been exhibited internationally from the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) to the Sao Paulo Biennale.

Shelley Rice has been a professor at New York University for the past 25 years, in that time she has written numerous significant essays on art and photography. She will come to Johannesburg in July this year to participate in the exciting educational programme surrounding the exhibition that will deal predominantly with art writing and the discourse that surrounds photography.

Stephen Shore is considered to be an icon amongst many photographers. His early colour photography taken mostly in the 1970’s was some of the first colour photography to be included within the cannon of art. He was 14 when the Museum of Modern Art (New York) collected his work and was the second youngest person ever to have a solo show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His images are now seen as classic Americana, culturally rich images showing the tempo, palette and artifacts of the time and place. Although, seemingly taken in a snap-shot style, upon deep reflection, a carefully constructed composition is revealed. Shore has influenced countless contemporary photographers, from Andreas Gursky to Nan Goldin.

Janaina Tschape utilises fairy tales, the female form and a strong belief in the fantastic to construct her universes. Her video work manifests the process of art making by creating the sensation of being in an enchanted world. Tschape’s work has been shown in numerous exhibitions throughout the world including Tokyo, Sao Paolo, London, and Berlin.

Additional support has been given by SEI International, the Brazilian Embassy, the American Embassy, BASA and Trigger.

For more information or visual materials please contact:
Leigh-Anne Niehaus Exhibition Coordinator at info@rogerballen.com or 011 482 5401.

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