.png)
From the outside, the Transwerke building at the Constitution Hill Precinct in Braamfontein is unwelcoming; however, the paintings on the walls and the security guard create a welcoming presence and hint at the activities inside. Once a maternity hospital, it is now filled with studios for creatives of all kinds. The residents of studio 52, Lesole Tauatswala and Bulumko Mbete, of BLVCK BLOCK, were eager to speak about the space, which offers a platform for artists, conversations and stakeholders outside conventional commercial art spaces.
“It is an incubator for creative businesses and forms sustainable partnerships with other stakeholders,” comments Tauatswala who also occupies a managerial office at @Transwerke. Witnessing the kind of events, collaborations and experimental projects that occurred in the building inspired him to bridge the gap in the contemporary art scene, which doesn't readily encourage collaboration or experimentation.
BLVCK BLOC have driven a collaboration between 11 creatives, which will result
in an exhibition titled Memory Proceeding, which is supported by the Creative Knowledge Resource and National Research Foundation. The exhibition will be part of the Open Studios Joburg event and will be featured on the first day of the programme.Taking place on the 27th and 28th of May, Open Studios is an opportunity to explore their studios, meet the artists and engage in artistic spaces that are not always open to the public.
Memory Proceeding was initially conceptualised post Covid 19 as a project to bring a community together to elicit discussions as well as cultural engagement. The project had three iterations which were meant to take place in Mbete’s Apartment in Observatory, Johannesburg. Moving to The Creative Hub @Transwerke allowed the project a proper and bigger space that paved the way for this exhibition. The featured creatives are visual artists and those who work in film, design and fashion. “My ways of learning and making are collaborative. I am interested in people's methodologies and what practices look like at this moment and how they have shifted” responds Mbete when asked about the selection process of the artists. It is an experimental, playful and non-commercial project which aims to foster community amongst creative practitioners.
Proceeding Memories was influenced by Mbete’s taste in music, particularly her favourite song Love proceeding by BADBADNOTGOOD. “The song is a combination of many different influences, including Brazilian and hip-hop music” Mbete remarks. She drew the connection of intersectionality of different cultures and collaboration between the project and the band. Interestingly, the song was from the album Talk memory, which made her reflect on her ideas on how you recall the past.
Mbete is not participating in the exhibition, though she is a practising artist who is the 2023 Cassirer Welz Award recipient. The award aims to recognise artistic excellence in emerging artist circles and is supported by Strauss & Co Auctioneers and Business and Art South Africa. The award also features a residency at the Bag Factory Studios in Johannesburg, which is also featured on the Open Studios Joburg programme and Mbete’s studio will also be open this weekend.
Collectivism and collaborations are not conventionally encouraged in the art world - which has historically prized individual talent. As such Mbete is the recipient of an award for her
individual work. There have been few acknowledgements and accolades presented to collaborations or collectives in South Africa. Perhaps this is why artistic collectives are said to have an expiry date. This could be a result of the advantages and opportunities that exist for individuals in the art world as opposed to working together.
Even at its inception, BLVCK BLOCK was a bigger collaborative effort, and over time has been reduced to only a few members. Other than the challenges that exist in the art world, there are internal complexities that might arise when working together.
For the artist in residence Nyakallo Maleke, the exhibition provided a platform for bringing creative worlds together. ”A collaboration is a way of sustaining communities and holding each other accountable as creatives”, Maleke reflects. As an artist, she admits the journey can be isolating and collaboration can cultivate dreaming and manifesting together, which can lead to real possibilities in the world. Her artistic practice is abstract, and playful and is centered around worlds she creates according to her imagination. Maleke’s work consists of lines, and mark-making, which are accompanied by islands of colours. This reflects her exploration and concept of order in chaos.
A sense of community underpins Tauatswala photographic works. These are images taken throughout the inner city of Johannesburg and depict migrant communities. Tauatswala’s photographs are black and white which gives them a timeless effect. He focuses on collective and discursive personal memories of culture and tradition. His interest in articulating collective concerns is not only depicted in his work but also informs his perspective of the contemporary art scene.:“I want to counter the idea that things come together for an individual and the notion of the artist being the (sole) genius,” he says.
BLVCK BLOCK is envisioned as a platform for creatives by creatives.
“Opening up the art economy and opposing white cube practices are key to the space as we want to create a programme for those who feel left out,” says Tauatswala. When asked about the conception of the name, Mbete proudly declared its relevance to Blackness according to Steve Biko’s definition. The block was a play on words and negation of the Western white cube culture. BLVCK BLOCK holds exhibitions, and residency programmes, and leads academic conversations about the arts.
The Creative Hub @Transwerke is a vital creative meeting point shifting the creative landscape of Johannesburg. By housing and collaborating with creatives, it sets a complimentary tone for BLVCK BLOCK. As part of the Open Studios programme, they will avail their space to the public, and eagerly extend their invitation to creatives who would like their projects to be housed. “As people of colour, community is quite integral to us” concludes Mbete.
Comments