The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) opened its doors to a new permanent collection exhibition, ‘Sala,’ on Friday, 15 December, 2023, running until 12 April, 2026.
The exhibition is a collaborative project that aims to deepen the institution’s connection with its permanent collection and to redefine the essence of a museum.
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‘Sala’ is a result of a research project in partnership with the 2023 unit of Zeitz MOCAA & University of the Western Cape (UWC) Museum Fellows.
This exploration seeks to grasp the values of the institution, the role of contemporary art in society, the mediation of artists’ work by the museum team and the establishment of the museum as a home for its diverse audiences.
Storm Janse van Rensburg, Senior Curator and Head of Curatorial Affairs at Zeitz MOCAA, leads the exhibition as the principal curator. He highlights the consultative and collaborative process that engaged various museum departments and the Museum Fellows, shedding light on the museum’s identity formation through its collections.
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‘Sala’ is an invitation for visitors to contemplate the boundaries and potentials of a museum. The exhibition’s title, derived from ‘sala kahle,’ part of a Southern African farewell phrase, welcomes guests to stay, explore and engage with the showcased artists, artworks and the evolving museum space.
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Featuring 17 artists, ‘Sala’ encapsulates diverse perspectives. Artists such as Thania Petersen, Joël Andrianomearisoa, El Anatsui, Athi-Patra Ruga, Cyrus Kabiru, Edson Chagas and others redefine the meaning of ‘sala’ within the exhibition.
From soundscapes rooted in spiritual upbringing to elevating everyday materials to challenge geographical constraints, the artworks invite contemplation, conversation and reflection.
Koyo Kouoh, Executive Director and Chief Curator of Zeitz MOCAA, emphasises the exhibition’s role in contributing to African and diasporic artistic knowledge, inviting audiences to join the museum on its evolving journey.
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Picture: Supplied