The Institute for Creative Arts’ (ICA) renowned series of live art programmes returns to the City of Cape Town this February with the launch of the inaugural LIVE ART NETWORK AFRICA (LANA). LANA offers a unique opportunity on the continent to access, discover, discuss and theorise live art from 17 to 20 February 2018.
The interdisciplinary art form known as ‘live art’ (formerly ‘performance art’) blurs the fields of fine art, dance, theatre, music and literature. With its growth on the African continent over the last decade – from collective actions of protest and dissent to works appearing in galleries and museums – African live art performances have created a significant impact internationally. LANA now presents an opportunity, the first of its kind, for African artists, academics, audiences and the public to engage with this enigmatic art form, to develop a deeper understanding of it, and to generate new knowledge. LANA will also provide a platform for considering the vulnerable infrastructures that generate these fragile, of-the-moment artworks. Going forward, the Network is intended as a support structure for the development of live art on the continent.
This four-day international symposium responds to the salient questions surrounding the creative arts industry with a showcase of some of its most influential thinkers. A gathering of 30 delegates from 12 African countries, LANA brings together renowned artists and academics in a programme that blends academic presentations, performances and networking sessions.
ICA Director and Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town, Jay Pather:
LANA’s presentations and performances, to be presented by some of Africa’s top artists and writers, is open to all. The programme provides ways in which to access what many might consider enigmatic and at times bewildering. Writers and artists will unpack the work of a wide range of practitioners – artists who are often barometers for social and political ideas – as well as the contexts that have given rise to their innovative, interdisciplinary practices.
LANA acts as an impetus to undo the conventional ways in which we as the public operate, to demystify the codes of live art, and to develop lenses through which to better understand the metaphors and themes that live artists draw upon. Critical to LANA is an active response to the enduring personal and political issues of our time through open discussion and exchange of ideas. The event will grapple with burning questions surrounding the creative arts for practitioners and the public to probe together – its existence, its contributors, its impact and its future. We invite all audiences to join the ICA and the LANA delegates in what promises to be a stimulating experience to kickstart 2018.
The LANA 2018 programme features: Panaibra Canda (Mozambique), Christian Etongo (Cameroon), Jelili Atiku (Nigeria), N'Goné Fall (Senegal), Laila Soliman (Egypt), Andrew Mulenga (Zambia), Wura-Natasha Ogunji (Nigeria), Mwenya Kabwe (Zambia/South Africa), Bernard Akoi-Jackson (Ghana), Massa Lemu (Malawi), Andrew Hennlich (USA), and from South Africa: Nomusa Makhubu, Sarah Nuttall, Dee Mohoto, Gabrielle Goliath, Nondumiso Msimanga, Bettina Malcomess, Katlego Disemelo, Alan Parker, Khwezi Gule, Same Mdluli, Catherine Boulle, and in attendance: Nelisiwe Xaba and Donna Kukama. Performances will include works by Jelili Atiku, Bernard Akoi-Jackson, Panaibra Canda, Christian Etongo, Khanyisile Mbongwa, Dean Hutton, Chuma Sopotela and Lesiba Mabitsela.
LANA 2018 is supported by the Mellon Foundation, the University of Cape Town and Pro Helvetia.
The symposium and performances are open to all and are free of charge, but the networking sessions are by invitation only.
LANA FAST FACTS
WHEN: Saturday 17 to Tuesday 20 February 2018
WHERE: University of Cape Town’s Hiddingh Campus
ENTRANCE: Symposium and performances are FREE of charge