Cape Town

STEVENSON is pleased to present Where do I begin, a group exhibition and educational experiment that plays with the concepts of curation and perception, drawing links from one artwork to many others.

The starting point is Untitled, a 2001 mixed media drawing by Moshekwa Langa. Created using materials such as foil, tape, textbook maps and gossip-magazine cut-outs, its range of imagery and references provides a rich springboard for free association.

Following a game-like design, the viewer is invited to begin with a close reading of Langa’s work, and then explore the connections between this and the other artworks on show. Like a spider diagram or mind-map, links are made through the prism of each person’s individual thoughts and interests. Sometimes direct, sometimes obscure associations can be drawn in relation to subject matter, medium, method, concept and feel, allowing for a playful and interactive experience for viewers of any age or level of artistic knowledge.

The title of the exhibition is taken from another artwork by Langa, his 2001 video that uses Shirley Bassey’s 1971 ballad (Where do I begin) Love Story as its soundtrack. As a presentation as well as an exercise, Where do I begin highlights the synchronicities, differences and underlying interconnectedness in thought and approach that make life and art so complex and resonant.

Exhibiting artists: Moshekwa Langa, Igshaan Adams, Zander Blom, Steven Cohen, Meschac Gaba, Ian Grose, Bonolo Kavula, Dada Khanyisa, Lebogang Mogul Mabusela, Gerhard Marx, Neo Matloga, Unathi Mkonto, Nabeeha Mohamed, Paulo Nazareth, Simphiwe Ndzube, Sam Nhlengethwa, Mame-Diarra Niang, Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi, Asemahle Ntlonti, Frida Orupabo, Thania Petersen, Jo Ractliffe, Robin Rhode, Viviane Sassen, Gerda Scheepers, Penny Siopis, Lindokuhle Sobekwa, Sitaara Stodel, Mikhael Subotzky, Thato Toeba and Portia Zvavahera. 

The exhibition opens on Saturday 20 August, 10am to 1pm.