Documented by art photographer John Hodgkiss

Thursday, 26 November 2009, 6pm­ – 8pm
Bag Factory Gallery, 10 Mahlatini Street, Fordsburg, Johannesburg

Featuring the work of Nadine Hutton, Anthea Moys, Mlu Zondi, Ntando Cele, Rat Western, Ismail Farouk, Murray Turpin, Bronwyn Lace, Kemang wa Lehulere, Dinkies Sithole, Johan Thom.

Following the one-night exhibition of new performance artworks by a group of emerging South African artists held in July 2008, the Bag Factory presents the Rites of Fealty/ Rites of Passage: Print Portfolio, which comprises ten limited-edition prints from the performances in a beautifully bound portfolio.

Coordinated by pioneering South African performance artist Johan Thom, Rites of Fealty/ Rites of Passage was an exploration of the transformative capacity of art, whereby the artwork is envisioned as a rite of passage through which both artist and viewer may plot alternatives to existing modes of relating to our familiar surroundings, ordinary social interactions, physical gestures and use of language. In this way art may act as a gateway that embodies the possibility for personal and societal change through direct action and physical participation.

To watch excerpts of the performances on YouTube, go to: <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubw6M5dtGM4>.

This workshop and exhibition are made possible by: