There will be three much-anticipated,
internationally-acclaimed major art exhibitions, as well as over 100 local
artists to see this year.
This year, the main Grindrod Theatre
complex houses four exciting exhibitions. Situated in the Norman Dunn Gallery
on the ground floor, is A Significant
Life, the world’s foremost photographic collection on the life and times of
venerated South African anti-apartheid politician, activist and philanthropist,
who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, Nelson Rolihlahla
Mandela presented by commissioned photographer to Mandela, Matthew Willman.
You can join Willman at his two lectures,
and hear his touching story, poignant memories and personal anecdotes in
Memorial Hall: A Significant Life (September
17 @10h00) and A Life Less Ordinary (September
16 at 13h00).
Upstairs in the library, Africa Media
Online is thrilled to announce the World Press Photo Exhibition. This is the
first time in many years that the exhibition will be presented in
KwaZulu-Natal, and the first time at the province’s foremost arts festival. In
conjunction with the exhibition, Africa Media Online will be screening eight
documentaries about the lives and works of leading photographers over the
festival. The exhibition / screening package is a ticketed event. The
exhibition and screenings will be in the Raymond Slater Library in the
Centenary Centre at Hilton College. DocuFest Africa will be held in Lecture
Theatre A.
Another first at the fest, a series of
sketches by Maestro Federico Fellini will be on display in the theatre foyer
and Centenary Room. The exhibition is made up of 21 A1 prints by the iconic
film-maker in different periods of his career, displaying his wicked sense of
humour, his somewhat wacky world view and charmingly captured moments. Many
drawings are from the famed The Book of
Dreams, the dream-diary Fellini wrote for about 30 years, and some give
insight into his fixation with food, and have an overt food / dining motif.
Complimenting the drawings, there will be screenings of two short movies: Food in the Cinema of Fellini and Long Journey – a short animation based
on the Maestro’s drawings
Also in the Centenary Centre is photography
exhibition by Harry Lock, entitled Out of
Character. Lock has for several years captured behind-the-scenes portraits
of people involved in the festival. Often without make-up, and away from the
spotlight, easel, microphone and instrument - Lock has captured well-known
names in magnificent portraits. This year, the portrait exhibition looks back
on the 2016 festival.
Two affiliated events of interest to lovers
of art are Strauss and Co who will be at the festival. Their Strauss Online
auction runs concurrently with the Hilton Arts Festival this year. Their
September online auction goes live on September 8 and closes September 18.
Festival guests can participate in the auction from the Strauss and Co stand in
the Centenary Room. Experts will be on hand to give information about the
online buying platform and artist information. They will also offer free
valuations of works of art.
On Saturday at 16h30, Alastair Meredith
presents a well-illustrated detailed lecture on famed South African artist, JH Peerneef: A Period of Discovery and Mastery about his life, his commissions
and his travel. Meredith is with Strauss and Co, and has a particular interest
in 20th Century South African painting and art curating.
For the first time at Hilton, a new
initiative will be launched. Art lovers can glimpse behind the scenes and enjoy
the process of creativity. Painters Grant Wood and Tony Durrheim will ‘perform’
three live demonstrations each over the three days. Wood, a watercolourist,
will be painting boats and reflections on Friday; a seascape on Saturday and a
typical street scene on Sunday. Durrehim, a painter in oils, starts off with a
stormy Karoo scene, sharing the seascape theme on Saturday and on Sunday a
rocky forest stream. Space is limited for this free demonstration, so booking
is essential.
Exhibiting in the recently-revamped
Campbell Exhibition Centre, the N3 Gateway Tourism Association welcomes patrons
to discover creative gems from sensational tourism destinations from Pretoria
to Durban, Lesotho to the KwaZulu-Natal battlefields. Crafters situated along
the N3 route will be showcasing their craft. They will be joined by exceptional
landscape photographer Stephen Pryke, along with wintery warm woollen creations
from Tsa Lapeng and beautiful linen from Senzakahle.
Alongside the N3 Gateway Tourism project,
the VinLee Art Gallery shares their carefully selected choice of collectables.
The Midlands Meander has taken residence
for the second year in the Art Block, where they will be sharing their artistic
pride and joy from their region.
The art hub of the festival is bursting at
the seams at the PWC Perspective Art Exhibition situated alongside the Bell
Tower. The three marquees boast a variety of artists work adorning the spaces.
Over 60 artists and photographers works will be displayed and are for sale.
The festival would not be possible without
the generous support of Hilton College, Tiso Black Star, Grindrod Bank, Black
Coffee, DWR, PWC, Bidvest Car Rental, Indwe Risk Services, Assitej South
Africa, Loud Crowd, Sappi, Redlands Hotel, Zultrans, KZN Dept of Arts &
Culture, BASA, Castle Lite, Maritzburg Sun, Caxton.
For more information visit http://www.hiltonfestival.co.za/
or like the Facebook page, Hilton Arts Festival. Follow on Twitter @HiltonFest,
Instagram or download the free APP Hilton Arts Festival for both Android and
IOS.
The festival takes place at Hilton College
from September 15 to 17, 2017. All enquiries on 033 383 0126 / 7 or festival@hiltoncollege.com
Booking enquiries:
tickets@hiltoncollege.com
The full Africa Media Online DocuFest
programme can be viewed on http://media.africamediaonline.com/festivals/docufest-africa-2017/
Tickets will be available at the door.
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