On 31 March 2010, nine artists invited us to the Erdmann Contemporary in Cape Town to show us their latest works-in-progress. At Matters Conceptual we could admire the organic process of making art. In case viewers didn’t understand the art when they first saw it, the artists were available to discuss their pieces and the ideas behind them.

At Matters Conceptual the atmosphere was formed by the idea of development. Not only was the showcased art in the exhibition hall still in progress; we were surrounded by the idea of development for the whole evening. The artists seemed especially focused on integrating visitors into their works. The most interactive example was the exhibit of Jennifer Lovemore-Reed. Across two walls she displayed armpits of men and women of different ages and nationalities. The viewer could learn about each of these people by looking at the corresponding clipboard hidden behind the photographs. The clipboards contained a form with personal details. The central theme the exhibition investigated was ‘private or public’. Jennifer Lovemore-Reed directly confronted visitors with her work: when you were willing to show your body to the public, you could share personal details! You simply had to join her in a small cabin where you could fill in the form and she would take a photograph of your armpit — that was all!

Most of the artists who took part in Matters Conceptual took critical issues and their influence on society as a source of inspiration for their works. Elize O’Connor showed the effects of the school system on the individual. She displayed her work using elements of a classroom such as a board with chalk that visitors could write on as well as an old wooden school bench. On the bench she positioned the paraphernalia of a student as well as candy. Visitors were allowed to make their mark on the work by leaving their chewed candy beneath this bench. Her ideas behind her pieces centered on adolescence and in how far the coming of age leads to control and uniformity with the result of loss of individuality.

The impact of media and spokespeople, and their influence on society was integrated into Matters Conceptual. Brendhan Dickerson showed colorful trumpets, called ‘Politizelas’, which reflected the personalities, values and the political ethics of individual politicians. The different vuvuzelas represented the immense power of politicians and how this can influence individuals. Artist Barbara Wildenboer focused on the print medium and the shocking repetitive headlines from newspapers. Within her arrangement of different clocks, titled as ‘Anchronology’, the viewer could find traditional emblems used by 17th Century still life painters such as fruit, flowers, clocks or skulls. These symbolised the cyclical nature of the vulnerability of our existence.

Apart from simple ideas, such as the showcase of Norman O’Flynn who showed his understanding of heroes in the pieced entitled ‘A Damn Good Reason’, every art work in Matters Conceptual was steeped in highly symbolic meaning. ‘Material Truth’ by Kilmany-Jo Liversage especially impressed me. She played with ribbons and selectively chose different colours for their corresponding meanings. All ribbons are symbols for the fight against turbulence and crisis. For example, the black ribbon represents crime whereas the red ribbon underlines the awareness of HIV/Aids in South Africa.

All in all, this exhibition had a very extraordinary character. Every piece of arts was completely different, regarding its founding idea as well as the way it was presented to the audience. What made it interesting was to see incomplete art and to take an active part in the development of it. I saw the exhibition as a challenge as well because I didn’t immediately understand the intention of the different ideas. This was a task for the viewer to dip into the creative world by reading the descriptions of the artist’s works, speak to the creatives and imagine how the products would look like when they are completed. In case you missed the opening of Matters Conceptual, you should definitely visit the Erdmann Contemporary to see the completed work of the artists. The exhibition runs until the end of April.

By Anne Viktoria Wanders