Expired: BIENNALE ARTE 2022: THE MILK OF DREAMS

3rd May 2022 /
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Deadline

30 June 2022

Website

www.artsa-venicebiennale.org

Opportunity Description

Pavilion of South Africa at the 59 th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
SA young artists encouraged to milk their imagination

South Africa is finalising preparations for its national exhibition stand at Biennale Arte 2022, which commences on 23 April in Venice, Italy. As part of the activities around the Biennale, a nationwide competition has been launched on Friday 18 February. The competition, titled mzansiart@Venice, is aimed at young artists who are also school learners.

“The implications and benefits of Biennale Arte 2022 extend far beyond our national exhibition stand and our three featured artists,” explains Ms. Nosipho Ngcaba, South African Ambassador to the Italian Republic, who is also serving as Commissioner for the South African Pavilion at Biennale Arte 2022. “We view this highlight event as an ideal opportunity to reach out and include the broader public, to educate about art, to raise awareness of the arts as a viable career choice towards sustainable job creation, and to promote corporate funding and individual patronage of the arts in developing the arts sector to its full potential.”

As the Biennale official opening draws closer, it has sparked a buzz of anticipation among the SA arts community. However, the location in Italy restricts personal attendance to wealthier South Africans.

“We cannot take the populace of South Africa to the Biennale but we can bring the arts to the people,” continues Ngcaba. “This competition offers our young artists the tangible opportunity to share and participate in the artistic richness and diversity of Biennale Arte 2022.”

Entrants stand to win exciting prizes:

  • 1 st place will receive a R5,000 cash prize, along with a donation of R15,000 worth of art supplies to their school.
  • 2 nd place will receive a R3,000 cash prize, with a donation of R10,000 worth of art supplies to their school.
  • 3 rd place will receive a R2,000 cash prize, with a donation of R8,000 worth of art supplies to their school.

In addition to the financial prizes, the winner will also get to spend a day with SA featured artist Dr. Roger Ballen at his photographic studio in Johannesburg. “I’m excited at the prospect of spending time sharing artistic visions and ideas with our young winner. In turn, I trust they will benefit from my insights into how they can turn their artistic talent and passion into a viable and rewarding career,” says Ballen.

“The voices of our children, including young artists, are often not heard. This competition offers a great opportunity to youth across the country. I urge them to enter the competition, milk their imagination, showcase their artistic talent, and make their voices heard – not just to South Africa but also to the huge international audience in Venice,” concludes Commissioner Nosipho Ngcaba.

About the Venice Biennale
The International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, also known as the Biennale Arte, is one of the most important and celebrated events on the international arts calendar. Held every two years in Venice, Italy, the Biennale consists mainly of national exhibitions by approximately 90 participating countries.

This year marks the 59th edition of the Biennale, and will run from 23 April to 27 November. The theme for Biennale Arte 2022 is ‘The Milk of Dreams’, which reflects the richness of creative expression that is unlocked when the artist delves into the realm of fantasy and imagination. South Africa’s national exhibition will feature the complementary theme ‘Into the Light’. This theme proposes that the enforced isolation of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and quarantines also opens creative opportunity, allowing the artist to turn their focus inward in seeking to redefine self-identity, artistic vision and personal truth. The South African exhibition stand will showcase the works of photographer Dr. Roger Ballen, visual artist Ms. Lebohang Kganye and multidisciplinary artist Mr. Phumulani Ntuli. Ms. Amé Bell is the Curator for the South African national exhibition, which will be hosted in South Africa’s permanent exhibition area in the Arsenale building in Venice.

South Africa’s participation at Biennale Arte 2022 is sponsored by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Enquiries:

How to Apply

The competition format has been geared towards encouraging participation across the country. Entries will be facilitated via email to: mzansiart@artsa-venicebiennale.org.

The competition brief is for young artists to create their own interpretation of the Biennale Arte 2022 theme ‘The Milk of Dreams’, which focuses on the richness of artistic expression that is unlocked when the artist steps into the realm of imagination and fantasy. Submitted artworks can use photography, drawing, sketching, printing, painting or poetry – and even combinations of these art forms – in creating the artwork.

“The theme makes the competition accessible to all young artists, especially those in disadvantaged rural areas,” notes Ms. Amé Bell, Curator of the South African national exhibition stand. “The imagination is a fantasy realm unique to each individual, and free of the real-world restrictions imposed by provincial location, income and education level.”

Winning entries for the mzansiart@Venice competition may also be displayed at the South African national exhibition stand during Biennale Arte 2022. Due to the logistics of shipping artworks to Venice, the competition organisers cannot accept sculpture or live performance entries. Entries can be submitted from 21 February to the closing date of 30 June, to mzansiart@artsa-venicebiennale.org.

The competition rules and the online entry form are available at:
https://www.artsa-venicebiennale.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Youth-artists-competition-brief.pdf