Tonight at 6pm, the HEAT Winter Arts Festival begins in Cape Town’s CBD.
The festival features over 16 exhibitions, all within walking distance and all united by a shared theme, “Common Ground”.
Featured exhibitions include Desire Marea’s paintings at Eclectica Contemporary, depicting an imagined love story between two male Zulu warriors. At Kalashnikovv Gallery, Kylie Wentzel showcases works inspired by the Botanical Gardens in Durban. Sisonke Gallery presents “Unfiltered,” featuring artworks that have been censored, exploring the politics of taste and social norms. At the Iziko South African National Gallery, Sue Pam Grant offers an immersive theatre/art installation.
Participating galleries include The AVA, Christopher Moller, Ebony/Curated, Eclectica Contemporary, Kalashnikovv, 99 Loop Gallery, Iziko South African National Gallery, Michaelis Galleries, Nel Gallery, Reservoir Projects, Sisonke Gallery, Under the Aegis, Union House by Spier Arts Trust, Vela Projects, and WORLDART.
At 8pm, jazz band Operation Khataza will perform at the Central Methodist Mission, selected by SlowLife founder Paul Kahanovitz.
Running until 21 July, the HEAT festival offers a range of cultural activities, including Meet-the-Artist tours and talks to engage directly with the artists. Opera performances are curated by conductor and pianist Jeremy Silver, featuring Opera UCT’s students. Jazz performances include Operation Khataza and The Johnny Wxlf Experience.
The theatre program is highlighted by Rob Van Vuuren, with works by Sophie Jones, Dara Beth, Andi Colombo, Aldo Brincat, Ayanda ka Nobakabowna and Mfundo Zono, and Pichi Keane, mainly at the Wave Theatre on Long Street.
Kizomba dance workshops are led by Angolan instructor Klinsmann Ferreira. Stand-up comedy is curated by S’Qhamo Mangcu and Nishen Pather, headlined by Yaaseen Barnes.
“In creating a themed festival, we wanted to establish a context for connections to emerge between artists, musicians, theatremakers, and curators. This not only brings a fractured art community closer together but makes for an enticing experience for festivalgoers,” says Corrigall, founder of the HEAT festival.
HEAT takes place across multiple venues in Cape Town’s city centre from July 11 to 21.
Tickets for performances, walkabouts, and Meet-the-Artist events are available via Quicket.
* For more information, visit www.heatfestival.org or email hello@heatfestival.org.
