The next JOBURG FRINGE 25 - 29 September 2013

opening up shop, putting on the coffee and getting in the mood...

visit our online  2012 catalogue:  joburgfringe.signsoflife.co.za 

The 2012 JOBURG FRINGE looked like this:

also visit the 2012 online catalogue:  joburgfringe.signsoflife.co.za 

Once again in Braamfontein...

Five venues, 29 selected artist/artist groups/galleries, a curated show, an invited show, the guest-curated video show... this was the 2012 JOBURG FRINGE

We thank all the artists, our partners the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg, all our sponsors
and supporters, and hope to see you all in September 2013.

All photographs by FP of JoFri
also visit the 2012 online catalogue:  joburgfringe.signsoflife.co.za 

Bring on the Art.....AYOBA!

Alison McKay - 365 works

at Bridge House, 

...lots of people obviously not here only for the free drinks

Gordon Froud and Pat Mautloa

North and South, an exhibition of 5 ex-Technicons, curated by Gordon Froud at the National School of Arts (NSA),  Braamfontein

Video works by Sikhumbuzo Makandula

Works by Mara Fleischer & Nelson Banderson, and down where the hells angel guy is standing, work by Fred Clarke

in the foreground work by Grant Peterson

James Sey and Subtle Agency

Jamie Gowrie re-producing art for the performance 'Trade Re-Routed' by Donna Kukama and Nontobeko Ntombela at the JOBURG ART FAIR 

'Trade Re-Routed' at the JOBURG FRINGE

Donna Kukama, Nonto Ntombela and guest with Louise vd Bijl's 'never-ending painting of Joburg, 2011'

artworks by Craig Actually Smith

Ann-Marie Tully

Suzy Bernstein and Asanda Kupa's artworks

First Floor Gallery centre back

Alison McKay - 365 works: "...to depict a news story for every day of 2011"

at the FridgE: Edison Mugalu, Uganda, being interviewed in front of his work

Lucas Thobejane, Polokwane Art Museum, Limpopo at the FridgE

Lyton Kivumbvi of Umoja Gallery, Kampala  representing Edison Mugalu and David Kigozi at the FridgE

........ nothing like a good after-party hosted by Matthew 'the Duke' Partridge at Kitchener's...

be sure to visit the 2012 online catalogue:  joburgfringe.signsoflife.co.za 

the afterparty at kitchener's, hosted by the DUKE & co

photo credit: AW, JoFri

JOBURG FRINGE 2012 opens 5 Sept at 6 pm!

where: Braamfontein

Juta St. Precinct, National School of the Arts, The Grove...

check older posts, our fb site or the posters in Braamfontein... or make sure you grab a map-flyer

Opening parties

In each space, with drinking holes at Lamunu Bar on the Grove, Melle Street, and for the afterparty, at Kitcheners from 10 pm till late with djs and dancing!

Opening times

5 September opening at 6:00pm, close at around 9:00pm

6 & 7 September (Thursday & Friday) 10:00am - 3:30pm

8 September Saturday - 9:30pm - 5:30pm 

9 September 10:00am - 4:00pm

Mudi Yahaya's photo series "The Masquerade And The City"

Dear artists, 

Flyers

We have prepared a map of the area, and info as to who is in which space, etc etc on a b/w flyer, we can hand them out latest when we see you Monday. Help spread them around! We've been putting them out about town, and they will be in all the venues including the JAF, art galleries, art shop.

Wall space, floor space, lighting

Firstly, we're happy to tell you that you all have an extra meter! ie 4,5 meters.

We have completed the daunting task of working out who goes where (our curatorial job) to make for a harmonious lay-out, and to the best advantage of each of the artist's work. This is an art fair before being an exhibition, but we will be around during setting up, and keen to assist/advise with the curation of your individual spaces. Sometimes it's good to have less, sometimes it's good to fill it to bursting! At this stage you know your work better than we do, so give it some thought, and bring some extra for in case.

Recap on lighting: we like a flood of light (neon) from the ceiling: very modern, very uncomplicated, very democratic. Bring your sitting-room lamp if you feel its going to do something for your work.

Setting up/installation of work

as of 4th September -Tuesday morning 8:30am, tools down at 5pm on opening day, 5th September at 6:00pm.

Furniture

Any podests/stands that you need for your work, please make a plan. 

Bring along a chair or two, something to put cards/flyers/catalogues on may be useful (a small coffee table, or a packing box)

Tools

please make sure you bring your own: yes, bring your own hammer, nails, spirit level (crooked hanging will be zapped by our straight-police) TAPE MEASURE..... electric extension cable.....pins for drawings...dustpan & brush, flask for tea, & snacks . Anyone who can bring a ladder along, we have a couple, but there's always need for extra.

Artist names on booths

You will be provided with your name in vinyl to go up on your booth.

Titles of works

Please all make sure you have a FEW lists with your name at the top,  of your works, with, listed below like this

title and         (leave a gap!)            Price!!

year

medium

size in cm, whereby height comes before width, if 3d then last, depth.

One can be used to either cut up and stick on the wall under your work -  or co-ordinate with numbers to your lists.

Opening parties

PLEASE BRING A BOTTLE and some paper cups to kick off with in your stand!

Inside and outside bar at Hotel Lamunu on the Grove, Melle Street, and the afterparty is at Kitcheners from 10pm onwards with djs and dancing! 

NB All exhibiting artists are on the invitations list and don't pay the R30 at the door!

Opening times

5 September opening at 6:00pm, close at around 9:00pm

6 & 7 September (Thursday & Friday) 10:00am - 3:30pm

8 September Saturday - 9:30pm - 5:30pm  (the Neighbourgoods Market next door opens at 9:00am, and there is a JAF function at the WAM at 6:00pm so these opening times will appeal to those visitors)

9 September 10:00am - 4:00pm

Manning your booths, Security

We expect you to either man your booths yourselves or organize someone to fill in for you. Could be your neighbour (on the show - or from home I guess, if they can talk about your work). Security: the spaces are all lockable at night, but during the day its your own onus to watch your stuff.

End of Joburg Fringe 2012

9th September, 4:00pm. Our experience from last year was that many people came in the afternoon on the Sunday, and unfortunately we had already closed at 2

Works should be out of the spaces, and the spaces restored to what they were (nails out of walls, holes filled and touched up with paint, any trash cleared out) by Monday 10th September midday.

Help

The dry walls which will be up by lunch time Monday, will need painting. Any one offering to help? Meet us on site (either Bridge House or ex-Afronova)

... any volunteers to help with other things like sweeping and mopping the spaces for BEFORE you begin installing, ... painting walls ... if you are willing, we will buy you lunch!

Update on the Joburg Fringe @ the JAF: all we can really say is that we are as curious as you are, as to what and who Nontobeko Ntombela comes up with!

The space that Joburg Art Fair and Goethe-Institut have generously offered us is going to be curated by Nontobeko Ntombela, with thanks to/courtesy of the Johannesburg Art Gallery, where she is currently a curator of the contemporary collection. Nontombeko will come up with a curatorial idea for the gem-size space, and has the complete archive of works you submitted to us, to work with. Who ever's work gets chosen is her curatorial decision: what's good for everyone is that it is a great link/advertising/info stand to, for you guys in Braamfontein.

We look forward to meeting you all soon!

FAQ in black, Joburg Fringe answers in blue

FAQ JOBURG FRINGE

thanks for these useful questions, tips, suggestions!

Logistics

What is the vision for this year's event? 

The Joburg Fringe happens at the same time as the Joburg Art Fair to benefit from, contribute to and promote the Joburg 'Art Season'. It has grown steadily, and last year offered affordable exhibition space to 103 artists in total.

The Joburg Fringe follows a classical fair set-up. with a high standard of jury-selected artists work.

Like any market place, there is a lively exchange of information and a chance of trade. Artists meet the public, potential clients, curators, collectors, dealers, gallerists and other artists. Artists share their experiences and develop a better sense of the market value of their work.

We know the difficulty of getting artwork 'out there'. Nothing compares to the immediacy of a face-to-face engagement with someone interested in one's work.

What is expected of us? 

Artists are physically present, talking about and selling their own work during the Fringe, making it informative and profitable.

The artists connect with buyers, dealers, curators and other artists..

They exchange information, discuss common ground and collaborate on future exhibitions. They engage with the visitors on issues pertaining to their work, informing and sensitizing their future art-buying public. A dialogue begins between art professionals and the public about art: the public gain valuable insights which may well spark an interest to buy art.

How soon will the official press release be ready and how can we help to distribute it.

were listed in all the NB media,....if anyone is best friends with editors & arts writers, we would love to hear from you what they would like from the Joburg Fringe in terms of content....last year we had a headline on all the street poles by the M&G...

Who has been allocated to which venue?  When will we know?

as soon as it is really relevant

What differentiates the venues? JoFri doesn't! On what basis were decisions made to group artists together?  (This may affect marketing decisions and opportunities.) if you can afford Sandton convention centre...

decision made completely in the interest of showing the work to its best advantage and safety

When will floor plans be available?  

we're still waiting too!

What visitor numbers are we expecting?

traffic has always been good

When can we see the space? Monday 3rd September 9am latest. Will the exhibition space be ready for installation of works? no (Will the the floor be mopped, walls painted, holes patched etc.) no If artists have to prepare/ repair the space themselves, what is the deadline? best to do it Monday morning first thing

Can we have access to the space the weekend before the exhibition?

we've requested to have keys for w/e if possible, depends on owners of each space. will post once we get confirmation.

(they only committed give us keys for period 3-10 September)

Will the 3.5 m be a running space or a cubicle?  running wall space

How far into the venue / passage can we extend if we need extra space?

Will the spaces be painted white and clean? some will, some won't Will everything be ready for hanging? again, no Or will we be expected to repaint the wall beforehand (different makes of paint and shades could be an issue)? one kind of paint solves this

Can we put nails in walls, screws etc.?  How strong are the dry walls?  

Is the back main wall dry-walled?  Do we need special dry-walling screws?

question is with our wonder-boys, answer coming

What are the ceiling heights?  Will there be an electrician / handyman yes who knows the venue no and can assist with possible lighting rigs we favour a neon-flooded ceiling lighting, no extra light riggings and complicated hanging? complicated hanging makes an otherwise boring job more interesting

Venue facilities

What is the R 2500 paying for, what is the breakdown?

Artists pay a feel of R2500 towards overhead costs (jury, temporary walls, electricity, advertising, online catalogue, and if this time there is anything left over the organizers might get paid a token amount instead of a thank-you-pat-on-the head)

Is there art storage space available at the venue?  Or do we have to use the boot of our cars? 

Bring a table and store work underneath/against it, or behind a chair, or on floor infront of, or against wall, or in car boot.

Where can packaging materials be stored, and who will supply them?

See above, artist  

Where do we park when we set up?  Infront of, or closest next option, to venue. Where do we park during the exhibition? Is there 24h security for visitors and artists' cars?  There is free parking for first come first serve in the little road directly opposite Bridge House for during the day. Otherwise secure covered pay parking available @ Arbour Square Parking Garage, 86 Juta Street, (between Melle and Biccard).

NB on the evening of the opening, you will be able to park at Bridge House parking for free.

Will there be kitchens / bathrooms available?

definitely bathrooms available in or close to venues, sometimes kitchens. Bring a kettle.

Will there be wireless internet access?

In Post, Velo cafes, and ?

Who will be cleaning?  Do you need volunteers?

Thought you'd never offer!

we'll keep you posted

Suggestions

Can venues be marketed individually in order to spread exposure amongst more artists? 

?

We would like to suggest a central packaging stand / wrapping table in each venue, with someone on duty.  If not covered by funding, artists could share the material and labour costs per venue.

good idea!

We suggest one guest book / table per venue to collectively capture e-mail addresses (with artist's names in columns to tick) at exit?

great, please share with us to grow our mailing list!

Would it be possible to organize special artists' parking underground during the exhibition? e.g. hotel de Mono.

Hotel Lamunu has very limited parking and has a boom.

see parking above. when ever i have been to Braamfontein between 8 and 10, I mostly find free parking

Will there be a bus from the Art Fair to the Fringe? no If not, can it be arranged? on the planned hop-on-hop-off taxi we can include a stop at the Park Gautrain Station: Park - Sandton costs R22 one way. n.b. one needs a Gautrain card (R11 one-off)

Can people who are absent during the exhibition (eg Alison McKay, Vincent Bezuidenhout) and have nobody to man their stall be placed closely together, in order to pay one person to supervise?  

sure this will be solved once everyone's there and putting up work: any volunteers?

Hot off the press - We have a huge beautiful pile of Joburg Fringe 2012 invites just flown in from Berlin: how to get them to you?

Our little motto on our page-bottom says that we run the Joburg Fringe on Joburg energy. We can't be sure that our participants will also be running on the same energy but your enthusiasm leaves us in no doubt that some of you definitely have a big dollop of it! Which is really great!

So we welcome your initiative, and as far as the FAQ go we'll definitely make an effort to answer them. 

As far as your other concerns go, we at the Joburg Fringe are on track. The Fringe has been going for some years – we think not unsuccessfully – have faith.

Unless someone brings along a flock of sheep (or chickens!) as their exhibit instead of a group of paintings, there ought not to be any unforseen surprises.  As you know already, the Fringe is happening in Braamfontein, more details about the exact space will be sent to you as soon as we have sorted stuff with the owners of the premises.

Watch this space