Arts Association Stellenbosch – Talk by Kathryn Smith

Emmanuel Adebayor: Togo 2010
Experimental mosaic poster for the Word Cup

Kathryn Smith will be giving a talk on 'Something Happened on the Way to the Gallery: Experimental Practices In South African Art from the 1960s to Now' at the monthly meeting of the Arts Association Stellenbosch on Wednesday 27 October at 17h30 at the Sasol Art Museum, Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch. Members free, guests R30.

This talk attempts to unravel the notion of the experimental in art, alongside related concepts of the avant-garde, the contemporary and the conceptual. It refers to so-called 'radical' positions in recent South African art that demonstrate an awareness of international concerns,while attempting to find their own specific language (that may not appear immediately or directly political) in response to the particular conditions of cultural isolation and an emergent democracy.

The talk attempts to offer new ways to think about this work, which is poorly documented in available publications about South African art, and suggests that experimentation is a form of resistance in itself.

Kathryn Smith (b. 1975) is an artist who operates at the interface between studio work, curatorial projects and scholarly research. [Her studio practice has been described as demonstrating a 'forensic aesthetic', incorporating camera-based media, drawing and text into installation environments that investigate the relationship between violence and space. Her scholarly and curatorial projects are focused on developing the histories and discourses of historical avant-garde and experimental/radical practices in South Africa in relation to contemporary practice, with particular focus on new media, dialogical/situated practices and performance.]

Recent projects include researching and writing the artist's monograph 'Barend de Wet' (SMAC, 2010) and co-curating 'Dada South? Exploring Dada legacies in South African Art, 1960 to the present' with Roger van Wyk (Iziko South African National Gallery, 2009 - 2010).

She is senior lecturer and co-ordinator of the Fine Arts studio practice programme at the Department of Visual Arts, University of Stellenbosch.

The Month's Picnic Review - No longer under wraps...

The November edition of The Month features a review of three popular picnic destinations.

Take our poll to be sure to see your favourite area get a mention. For the moment it's either Franschhoek or Paarl. Seems like Stellenbosch doesn't do picnics? Think I'll visit Warwick today just to see...

November Not Too Far From Here... Cederberg

The Month visited the Cederberg earlier and the hike shown below forms the basis of an article in the Novemebr edition of The Month.


EveryTrail - Find the best

Alto releases limited edition red blend - MPHS, at R700 a bottle.

Schalk van der Westhuizen is marking his first decade as winemaker of Alto with the release of MPHS, a powerful but sleek micro-cuvée created to honour the extraordinary soils and location of this dryland Stellenbosch red wine estate set high on the Helderberg Mountain.

Just six barrels (amounting to 1 800 litres) have been made of the maiden 2007 vintage of the 67/33 blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for two years in wood and then left to mature in the bottle for another year before release.

The cryptic name MPHS reflects the initials of the four winemakers who have built the reputation of the farm. They are Manie Malan, whose father planted only red varietals on Alto as early as the 1920s; Piet du Toit, who acquired the farm in 1959; his son, Hempies, the renowned Springbok rugby player, who took over in 1983; and Schalk himself, who joined Alto in 2000.

Like its maker, MPHS is big and muscular but also lithe and restrained.  Its concentrated black and red fruit flavours have been tempered by 24 months in new French oak. 

It is produced from what Van der Westhuizen believes are the farm’s best two blocks of the two varietals chosen for the blend: a 2 ha block of Cabernet Franc planted 350m above sea level in deep red Hutton soils and 11 years’ old at the time of picking; and a 5 ha block of Cabernet Sauvignon, sited 500m above sea level and established in stony granite soils, with the vines 14 years old in 2007.

Both vineyards are cooled by afternoon maritime breezes blowing off False Bay to protract ripening. Under viticulturist Eben Archer, a strong focus was placed on vine root development and distribution in these vineyards which today produce fruit of exceptional balance.

 “Prof Archer has shown that there is a direct correlation between the quality of the vine root system and eventual grape and wine quality,” says Van der Westhuizen.  “The size, health and activity of the root system impact on the growth of the shoots and leaves above the ground.  By applying carefully designed soil surface management techniques coupled with the optimal spacing of vine rows and vines within each row, and the use of vertical seven-wire trellising systems, a favourable balance is achieved between subterranean and surface growth of the vines. As a result, the total volume of roots is matched by the total volume of top growth, including fruit, leaves, trunk and stems.

“Thanks to the condition of the vines and their deep root systems, we were able to pick the grapes at 26° Balling and still ensure an excellent balance between fruit flavour, acid and sugar.  We harvested on taste, when the tannins were fully ripened and the berries had reached a peak of flavour concentration. 

“Normally, these grapes would find their way into our larger-volume Cabernet Sauvignon or Alto Rouge wines but these gems have been given a voice of their own in the new blend.  We selected the best-of-best fruit and had to compete with the baboons to make sure we got to it before they did!” says Van der Westhuizen. “They have an unerring instinct for always identifying the prime quality berries.”

He says the wine’s fruit intensity has been contained by extended ageing in medium-toasted small barrels, sourced from three coopers to add to its complexity.  “I originally thought 18 months would be enough but the fruit was still too powerful at that point.  Two years was just the time the wine needed in wood to create the rounded but graceful richness and complexity I was aiming for.”

After the final assemblage the wine was very lightly filtered before it was bottled.

He is proud of the pleasing harmony of MPHS.  “When you pick at such ripeness, it is always a challenge to achieve a finessed profile but I think we have succeeded. The wine is ready for enjoyment now but it has the structure to age for a decade at least.”

In his typically modest and understated way, he explains that the idea for MPHS was prompted by one of Alto’s strongest advocates, Janånke Johansson, the farm’s Swedish importer and a widely respected wine judge and trader, who believed the time had come for a small-edition, hand-made wine that would reflect the very best of Alto to aficionados.

MPHS will only be made during outstanding vintages and the ratio of the two Cabernets will depend on the profile of the fruit each year. “We take our cue from nature on this and no two vintages are likely to follow the exact same recipe.”

 

Locally the wine is available from a small selection of stockists and retails at around R700 per bottle.  For details of where it is being sold, contact Cape Legends on 021 809 7000.

‘Fragile Earth’ Glass Exhibition showcases @ The Gallery

Award-winning artist, Jeannette Unite showcases a unique collection of transmogrified glass artwork aptly called ‘Fragile Earth’ in ‘The Project Room’ at ‘The Gallery’ at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, Franschhoek which runs from Sunday 10, October 2010 – Wednesday 1, December 2010.
 

Jeannette began experimenting with glassmaking in 1999 and since then her works in glass have become an important addition to her deep and insightful exploration of the legacy of industrial and especially mining, as well as activities on the South African landscape. Glass, with its fragility and strength and ability to reflect and refract colour in exquisite and unique ways, clearly makes for fascinating viewing.

A collection of soils, terra and terroir is incorporated into this exclusive art concept. Inspiration and visual exploration are derived from her journey to the Rift Valley, Kenya, Simon van der Stel’s copper mine in Namaqualand, among others. In the glass, she uses volcanic molten temperature to catalyse colour. www.artunite.com  

Also on exhibition in ‘The Gallery’ at Grande Provence, from Sunday 31, October 2010 until Wednesday 1, December 2010,  is the Painters Who Print – Art on Paper’ exhibition includes the following artists - Kim Berman and Karin Daymond, focussing on landscapes, Johann Louw and Robert Hodgins studies the human form and frailties in the work, Penny Siopis and Judith Mason examine social issues, Deborah Bell and Colbert Mashile wonders into the world of archetypes and occasionally mythical, with Pat Mautloa and Andre Naude analysing the female form. Renowned sculptors Lourens Joubert, Karin Lijnes and Wilma Cruise will also be exhibiting.

For further information on The Gallery at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, contact gallery@grandeprovence.co.za. For a preview, please call The Gallery on +27 (0)21 876 8630 to make an appointment. The Gallery is open from Monday to Sunday, from 10h00 till 18h00.

Uitkyk Turns Heads

As elegant, graceful and understated as its historic 1788 manor house, thought to have been designed by renowned French architect Louis Michel Thibault, Uitkyk’s wines and potstill brandy have succeeded in impressing the 2010 Veritas judges, winning three golds and four silvers.

The trio of golds went to both the 2009 and 2010 vintages of the Simonsberg estate’s Sauvignon blanc, made in the tropical style, as well as to the venerable but still very vibrant 2001 Carlonet, a classic South African Cabernet Sauvignon. Full-bodied with ripe berry characters, the wine is a long-standing favourite of local wine lovers, enjoyed for its refreshing fruit as much as for its fine-grained, sturdy structure.

The 2007 vintage, only just beginning to come into its own now that its fruit and wood characters have had sufficient time to meld into a harmonious whole, took silver in the competition.

The accolades for this august red are well-timed as the wine, named after Prussian nobleman Hans von Carlowitz, who bought Uitkyk in 1929, prepares to celebrate its 50^th anniversary next year.

Uitkyk’s other Veritas silver medalists this year were the 2007 vintage of the spicy, succulent and savoury limited-edition Special Reserve Shiraz; the 2009 Chardonnay with its citrus fruit and vanilla notes; and the 10 Year Grand Reserve Brandy, the specialty potstill that won gold at the International Wine & Spirit Challenge in London earlier this year.

Uitkyk’s winemaker is Estelle Lourens. The estate is represented by Cape Legends.

Some Clarity re Olive Oils

Carle, at Hidden Valley Wines, sent The Month this press release from SA Oliveupon reading our recent Olive Spoils article (below):

Liquid gold, as olive oil enthusiasts call their favourite gastronomic ingredient, has once again caught the limelight – this time due to dubious practices of certain restaurants parading seed oils as Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Well known TV programme Carte Blanche recently reported on these fraudulent practices where consumers are being mislead regarding the quality and origin of the supposed olive oil they are served with.
  SA Olive, the voluntary association representing the interests of the SA olive industry, has made their outrage known. “When something like this happens in another country the South African Olive Industry frowns upon it, but when it happens in South Africa we are truly horrified,” says SA Olive chairman, Andries Rabie. “Our industry cannot afford consumers to doubt the quality of South African olive oils and the trustworthiness of our labelling.” SA Olive pulls together olive growers, olive oil producers, table olive producers and olive tree nurseries in order to promote the industry but also to protect the interests of the consumers of this healthy product.
  “Similar deceptive practices have reared their ugly heads in South Africa before,” says Rabie, “and for this reason SA Olive instituted the Member of SA Olive Commitment to Compliance Scheme (CTC) back in 2005 as the first step in establishing control over the labelling procedures of local products.”
  Participation of SA Olive members to the CTC scheme is voluntary and self-regulating. Their commitment to the initiative is shown with the “Member of SA Olive” seal on their bottles. Producers whose products bear this seal of authenticity confirm that the content is 100% locally produced and made in accordance with the SA Olive Code of Conduct and Practice based on international standards. Furthermore, those who subscribe to the CTC scheme label their products in an honest and comprehensible manner and indicate the freshness of the oil by clearly displaying the year of harvest on the label.
  “A knowledgeable consumer is a satisfied one,” says Rabie. “It is vital that consumers are able to discern between the various kinds of olive oils available.” He explains that Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a natural, unrefined olive oil with a free acidity of below 0.8%, no defects and a fruity characteristic. For a local olive oil to be classified as Extra Virgin it has to undergo strict testing, which includes a chemical and organoleptic analysis, handled by a tasting panel convened by SA Olive in Paarl every consecutive week.
  In comparison, Virgin Olive Oil is also a natural unrefined olive oil but with a free acidity between 0,8% and 2% and with minimal defects. Olive oils which are flawed and unfit for consumption need to undergo a refining process during which they are deodorised and bleached. The result is a tasteless, almost colourless product called refined olive oil. In turn, Olive Pomace Oil is a solvent extracted from the solid press cake residue. It cannot be classified as or called Olive Oil, specifically not as Pomace Olive Oil which one often sees on labels. It should in fact read „Olive Pomace Oil‟. *
  “Consumers are right to demand that the olive oil they are served are pure,” says Rabie. “The natural antioxidants in Extra Virgin Olive Oil make it so much healthier than olive oil that has been refined. The refining process which other vegetable oils, such as canola oil, have to be subjected to in order to be fit for human consumption destroys the valuable antioxidants as well as the gorgeous flavour components, minerals and vitamins.
  Consumers, as well as reputable eateries should by no means compromise their right to high quality olive oil in lieu of inferior products. South African olive oils regularly bring home armfuls of accolades and present the consumer with extreme value for money and a secure high quality product.
  For further information regarding the SA Olive Commitment to Compliance scheme or a list of participating members, contact SA Olive at tel (021) 870 2900, fax (021) 870 2915, e-mail info@saolive.co.za or visit www.saolive.co.za.