WITH spring hovering over the horizon, one of the indicators that the Joburg art season is kicking into gear was the media launch of the fourth edition of the Contra.Joburg visual arts festival – scheduled for the weekend of 30–31 August – at art auctioneers’ Stephan Welz & Co’s offices in Waverley on the afternoon of August 19th.
On a sunny and warm day, the information disseminating tribe gathered alongside representatives of SWELCO, the Festival Founder, Sara Hallatt and other stakeholders inside the launch venue’s sale room where they first explored the Vintage Vanguard exhibition – a dual physical and digital display celebrating the timeless dialogue between the past and the future – and then got to engage with the featured artists over bubbly and comestibles.
Thereafter attendees hopped onto a shuttle which ferried them to Doornfontein for a scheduled visit to artist, Senzeni Marasela’s studio.
There, the guests were treated to a performance extracted from choreographer Mario Gaglione’s contemporary ballet “Maria Callas Prima Donna”, by a duo dancers of the Joburg Ballet, before the host artist took them on a walkabout of her gallery which – apart from displaying installations limning her persona Theodora – also featured the works of five artists she happened to be mentoring at the moment.
Next, amidst the rush hour commute of trains, buses and taxis in the Highveld afternoon, the cameras and phones wielding bunch was transferred to Asisebenze Art Gallery housed opposite the famous Rand Club, for a site visit and address by venue owner Mendel Medalie.
The visit culminated in a sightseeing jaunt from the rooftop of the freshly-refurbished 10-floor high Aegis Building which accorded the guests spectacular views of the Hillbrow Tower and other landmarks in the distance– as the sun set ever so steadily over the City of Gold.
Later in the early evening at the last stop of the excursion, the Nelson Mandela Bridge, the travelling group watched as the city’s lights came on to the accompaniment of singing by Phenye Modiane, the founder and Managing Director of Johannesburg Opera.
With the hustle and bustle of the metropolis now at a crescendo, Farai Mafurirano – a representative of another stakeholder, Jozi My Jozi – expounded on his entity’s involvement in the festival, as the launch came to its conclusion.
A conduit for the creative economy with a revenue of almost R3 million in direct art sales since its launch, Contra.Joburg was conceived by Sara Hallatt, the director of the not-for-profit META foundation, and has to date enabled working artists to grow their practices and collectors to build meaningful collections. It serves as proof of accessibility to local tourism in the city and by connecting spaces which showcase cultural offerings, the event offers people a reason to visit.
Featuring around 170 artists, designers and makers located at twelve galleries and studios across the inner city, visitors to this year’s event can expect live glitches, sonic interventions, and collaborative installations that defy categorisation.
This year’s festival enquires: What if art interrupts you? – with Hallatt spelling out that, “Every artist, every location, and every moment is chosen for its ability to surprise you – to feel like it could only happen here and now.” We want audiences to feel like they stumbled into something … maybe by accident, maybe by fate.”
Participating venues for Saturday comprise the Bag Factory Artists’ Studio, Asisebenze Art Gallery, The Creative Uprising (at Transwerke), The Rand Club, Play Braamfontein and WLM – complemented by artists such as Kagiso Pat Mautloa, Leal Bob Bernstein, Fhatuwani Mukheli, et al., as well as the exhibitions of Dustin August and WLM artists.
Whilst Sunday will feature August House, Ellis House, Asisebenze Art Atelier, Living Art Emporium, Victoria Yards and Oovookoo – complemented by the involvement of artists such as Senzeni Marasela, Dario Monjate, Naailah Gattoo, et al., in addition to the displays of Antidote Project and Imbali Arts & Crafts.
Contra.Joburg will be partnered by Africa Collect, a financing platform that allows buyers to purchase artworks and pay them off over 12 months; Jozi My Jozi, the civic advocates who recognise the power of creativity to energise Johannesburg’s future, allowing the event to map new pathways between art and everyday life across the city; and Johannesburg in Your Pocket, a digital and print city guide to Joburg bringing awareness to the city’s less prominent spaces, initiatives and personalities – and whose mission is to share the best of Joburg with locals and visitors.
To run from 10:00 to 17:00 on both days, the festival – a family-friendly affair with dedicated kids’ activities at various venues – will entail each day focusing on a different route through the city and different venues accessed by shuttle transport (whose fee will be included in the festival’s ticket price) running in two loops in two different directions, at 20 minute intervals.
Food and beverages will be on sale at the various venues, with parking and security arrangements in place for the duration of the event.
Visitors to the 2025 Contra.Joburg can access useful information on its website: https://contra.joburg/ – whilst tickets are currently on sale here.
All Images Jacob MAWELA (Senzeni Marasela, a participating artist, snapped at her Ellis House studio during the launch of Contra.Joburg).
