Talk: 'Being there': South Africa, a Contemporary Scene

How did the South-African art scene take shape in the specific context of apartheid? How has it evolved in the post-apartheid era? What are its characteristics in the context of Africa and the world today?

To answer these questions, in conjunction with the exhibition Being there, South Africa, a contemporary scene, the Fondation is hosting a talk on one of the most engaged and active scenes of the African continent.

Moderated by Roxana Azimi the panel discussion will see participation of specialists, art critics and historians, including Rory Bester, Achille Mbembe, Hlonipha Mokoena, Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung and Sean O’Toole.



SPEAKERS:

Roxana Azimi holds a PhD in history and has been a journalist since 2001. She cofounded Le Quotidien de l’Art. She also contributes to M, Le Monde’s magazine supplement, and to Le Monde Afrique

Rory Bester, Art historian, curator and art critic. He is head of the Art History department at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Achille Mbembe, Professor of history and political science at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. He has taught in several universities in the United States (Columbia, Pennsylvania, Duke and Harvard)

Hlonipha Mokoena, Art historian, author and associate professor at WISER (Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research) in Johannesburg

Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, founder and artistic director of SAVVY Contemporary Berlin. He is an associate curator of Documenta 14

Sean O’toole, Art critic, journalist and author. He contributes to a number of magazines including Frieze and Artforum