A critical part of SA’s Dirty Laundry was the exhibition/intervention “The Things We Do for Love”, which consisted of a curated exhibition and a series of performance pieces intended to activate the space in and around the Soma Art + Space gallery for the duration of the 16 Days of Activism whilst the SA’s Dirty Laundry installation was up.
The space was thus used as a point of reflection. It positioned how, even though an intimate relation between Nijenhuis and Msimanga began the project, it was not ‘in the name of love’ (as in, belonging to love) that the project did its necessary work but, for love (as in the direct, purposive act for love and connectivity to be gained). The project, then, brought a group of womxn together that expanded into a larger sisterhood of service, with men also brought closer to the conversation about what is necessary to “change your life and all our lives” (Hooks, 2000).
The participation invitation asked for contributions towards the project from the broadest spectrum of disciplines including the visual arts, performances, interventions, music, dance, talks, poetry, video and theatre. The point being for artists to show how art, when used for the purpose of socio-political activism, has the power and ability to shift the status quo.
Activism aims to promote, impede, or direct social, political, economic, or environmental change - to make societal improvements and to correct social injustice. Through this call, we invited artists to truly observe, reflect and comment on what the rape crisis in SA looks like. We intended to bring this message to people on the street, and not just to the audiences that frequent galleries. SoMa Art + Space became an interactive place where collaborators displayed/performed work.
Nondumiso Msimanga’s performance tilted “On the Line” presented an extremely moving, powerful, and vulnerable reflection on what it is like to be living with the aftermath of violence, something that emerges day after day after day. Wearing a wedding dress made from layers of soiled white underwear, stripped off and leaving her naked in the street.
GRACE BARNES | IRA BEKKER | THE BOITUMELO PROJECT | FLEUR DE BONDT | CARMEN FORD | SKYE GIBSON | NEGISTE YESSIDE JOHNSON | BRENDA LOUKES | ERICA LÜTTICH | AYANDA MAHAMBA | EVANS MATHIBE | NALEDZANI MATSHINGA | MARY MAWELA | JESSICA MERLE | NOMATHAMSANQA MHLAKAZA | CANDICE MODISELLE | DIMAKATSO MOTHOLO | NONDUMISO MSIMANGA | JENNY NIJENHUIS | CELIA-ANNE RUDOLPH | KWANELE “FINCH” THUSI | EMMA ATALIYAH-CHANNAH TOLLMAN | SHANNON TOOTLA | GAIL SCOTT WILSON
A 10-day artivism takeover of SoMa Art + Space, Maverick Corner and the streets of Maboneng
Friday 25 November
3-5pm Performances in Maverick Square
7:30pm Opening: On the Line by Nondumiso Msimanga
7:45-10pm Launch of SA’s Dirty Laundry and The Things We Do For Love
Saturday 26 November
11-5pm Brenda Loukes: “In The Name of Love” Chalk wall drawing and video installation
3-5pm Performances in Maverick Square
Sunday 27 November
11-5pm Brenda Loukes: “In The Name of Love” Chalk wall drawing and video installation
Monday 28 November
9:30-2pm Bodymapping Day 1 with Ira Bekker
Tuesday 29 November
9:30-2pm Bodymapping Day 2 with Ira Bekker
Wednesday 30 November
9:30-1:30pm Bodymapping Day 3 with Ira Bekker
Thursday 1 December
7-8pm Performances by Emma Ataliyah-Channah Tollman & Kwanele “Finch” Thusi
Friday 2 December
7-8 pm Performances in Maverick Square
Saturday 3 December
9-11am Superself Workshop with Fleur de Bondt
11-5pm Open gallery and artist hangout
3pm Screening: On The Line at 4.48 with Nondumiso Msimanga and Evans Mathibe
Sunday 4 December
11:30-1pm AfriCan Kemetic Yoga with Dale de Klerk
1-4pm Open gallery and artist hangout
3pm Performance: On The Line, with Nondumiso Msimanga
