SCRATCHING THE SURFACE Vol.1

In collaboration with manje-manje projects and as a development of its cooperative curatorial experiment, L’appartement 22 in Rabat (Morocco) will present Scratching the Surface Vol.1 by showing works by Simone Leigh (USA) and Dineo Bopape (SA).

Scratching the Surface Vol.1 combines new and re-visited visual and performance work by artists working individually and in collaboration, between places on the planet that are becoming less and less disparate as we charge ahead to a global imagining. The result of the first curatorial project of Gabi Ngcobo and Mwenya Kabwe as collective manje-manje projects (m-mp), the exhibition functions as a site for research and experimentation. Triggered by a desire to obliterate - reveal – satisfy - mark – damage, the contagious act of scratching suggests contact between surfaces : walls, grounds, steel, skin etc, the proverbial ‘itch’ transferred to scratch card and suitcase for the gambler and nomad respectively. Scratching the Surface Vol. 1 serves as experiential experiment in exhibition making across continuously blurring artistic disciplines. Much like the dated experience of scratching lesson notes onto a slate, the curatorial process becomes a loop of scratching, re-membering, cleaning, scratching, remembering, cleaning and scratching further hopefully learning, cleaning, scratching... In collaboration with manje-manje projects and as a development of its cooperative curatorial experiment, L’appartement 22 in Rabat (Morocco) will present Scratching the Surface Vol.1 by showing works by Simone Leigh (USA) and Dineo Bopape (SA).

Featured artists : Dineo Seshee Bopape, Kudzanai Chiurai, Gugulective, Bandile Gumbi, Julian Jonker & Garth Erasmus, Donna Kukama, Kemang Wa Lehulere, Simone Leigh, Thando Mama, Zanele Muholi, Kalinosi Mutale, Robin Rhode, Ruth Sacks, Sean Slemon, Alude Mahali, Katy Streek & Penny Youngleson, Mlu Zondi.

CURATED BY : Gabi Ngcobo and Mwenya Kabwe of manje-manje projects

ASSISTED BY : Lerato Bereng (Cape Africa Platform Young Curator)

In Cape Town : AVA Gallery 35 Church Street Opens 6pm, 4 August 2008 Closes 1pm, 21 August 2008

In Rabat, L’appartement 22 Opens, 11 August 2008 - 11 september 2008

SCRATCHING THE SURFACE Vol.1
Kuratoren: Gabi Ngcobo, Mwenya Kabwe

Künstler: Dineo Seshee Bopape, Kudzanai Chiurai, Gugulective, Bandile Gumbi, Julian Jonker & Garth Erasmus, Donna Kukama, Kemang Wa Lehulere, Simone Leigh, Thando Mama, Zanele Muholi, Kalinosi Mutale, Robin Rhode, Ruth Sacks, Sean Slemon, Alude Mahali, Katy Streek & Penny Youngleson, Mlu Zondi