SPRING ART TOUR Joburg SPECIAL PROJECTS

Art videos at Paul Smith Fri, 9 October, 18:00
Paul Smith in Joburg is located in a house designed by award winning architect, Sarah Calburn. Encompassing over two floors, the shop contains the Mens, Womens and Accessories collections. Absorb the video art on various monitors throughout the venue as you appreciate the fine collections of quality garments on display.

Tonic design: 10 Year Birthday Themed Exhibition. Parktown North Fri, 9 October, 18:00
A decade ago, Philippe van der Merwe and Greg Gamble’s passion for furniture design led to the establishment of a small design operation called Tonic. 10 years on, Tonic runs a full studio offering comprehensive design solutions for the domestic, hospitality, corporate and retail environments, as well as a furniture showroom showcasing an ever-growing collection work. Alongside lines from Knoll, Jielde, Classicon and Gregor Jenkin, all of whom use Tonic as exclusive agents, the studio develops its own work prolifically, with two ranges launched annually. Their furniture is defined by an underlying sense of restraint, as well as an attention to detail, using traditional construction techniques within a contemporary modernist aesthetic.To celebrate 10 years in design, Tonic will be showcasing 10 of the most iconic pieces they have designed over the last decade, complemented by an exhibition of the artists with whom they have collaborated in that time. The launch of their largest furniture collection to date will also take place.

Willowlamp at Paco Rugs: Greenside Fri, 9 October, 18:00
The willowlamp ™ is the brainchild of the design duo Adam Hoets and Sian Eliot. Sian Eliot studied Industrial Design at the Cape Technikon and is also a jeweller. She has established a distinctive voice in the field of jewellery design through her innovative meshing of traditional skills with technology. Eliot’s ingenuity and instinct for her materials results in unusually constructed and visually potent pieces. Willowlamp is proud to introduce a new collection:Êla. Inspired by water and named after the Sotho word for flow, Êla embodies the characteristics which typify Willowlamp’s style: a marriage between organic forms and industrial materials, craft and design.

Paco Rugs
Paco, the rug and carpet store have been operating in South Africa since 1996. What makes this company unique and stand out from all the other rug companies is that Paco has control over every stage of creation of these unique rugs. Paco, the owner and founder, has built his business in such a way that he oversees and ensures that all products are of the highest possible quality. Paco sources all his own raw materials such as wool and dyes, they have their own workshops in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal and collaborate with the top designers locally and internationally in order to deliver exquisite rugs of the highest possible quality.

Black Coffee and Bailey Archives at Arts on Main Sat, 10 October, 18:00
Inspired by the silhouette created when African mothers wrap their children with blankets and carry them on their backs, Black Coffee created an African Baby bag that can be worn over the bust like these mothers do. The head to toe clay colour of the Himba – a nomadic tribe from neighbouring Namibia – was also inspirational, as were african hairstyles like the cornrows, dreadlocks and braids that are popular all over South Africa; these have all become part of the local street culture. The garments are sculptural and the figures grouped together suggest a tribal gathering. The addition of the dog reinforces this idea and adds a lightness to the installation. Three of the pieces have hoods that evoke a feeling of ceremony. These hoods create a silhouette which complete the image of mother and child. The mannequin is completely hidden by the garments, creating figures with hollow heads that resemble a display of artifacts. This aesthetic is detailed, considered, formal and quite serious.

Bailey’s African History Archives holds 40 years of material from all the editions of Drum Magazine and it’s various sister publications – Golden City Post, Trust, True Love and City Press. The Archives contains a wealth of information from politics to culture and complexities of the vast Anglophone African nations. Bailey’s will present an exhibition in collaboration with Black Coffee (curated by Galerie Seippel) of fashion photographs from the 50’s.

Nirox Foundation: Walkabout of master class and gardens Sun, 11 October, 9:00-12:00
Nirox foundation is a centre for cultural activity offering multi-disciplinary artists’ residency, sculpture park and performance facilities. Its international artist’s residency program has been well received and is forward booked until the end of 2010. Further insight is available at www.niroxarts.com. Toon Verhoef will be in residence at The Nirox from 15 September till 15 October.

Walkabout of the final session of the NIROX Coolroom Studio Masterclass for 8 Wits Arts Faculty honours students with Toon Verhoef, the artist in residence at NIROX. Verhoef is a leading Dutch contemporary painter. He is a vastly experienced teacher and the Professor of painting at the Karlsruhe Academy. Tea will be served and guests will be free to enjoy the gardens. Inevitably there will be sculpture populating the park, although there will not be any specific exhibition at that time. As an aside, the German photographer, Tobias Zielony will also be in residence and visitors will be able to engage with him about his work and experience in South Africa.

The Dutch Embassy has been very supportive of Verhoef’s visit.

Willem Boshoff will be presenting a talk at The Cradle Restaurant on Sunday 11 October at 14h30pm. The Nirox Foundation Sculpture Park is home to various sculptures by Willem Boshoff – there are three pieces in the grand scale work Children of the Stars, Morabarabastone, and there is an edition of Noli Turbare Circulos Meos. The Nirox Foundation will also have a series of photos by Willem Boshoff which he shot at Nirox on display especially for the Spring Art Tour.

SPRING ART TOUR Joburg Restaurant Guide

Narina Trogon 011 339 6645
Narina Trogon restaurant serves inventive and locally sourced seasonal food in a visually sophisticated environment. Located in the heart of vibrant Braamfontein, Narina Trogon is a tribute to fresh food and the best of contemporary African design.

The Troyeville Hotel 011 402 7709
A working class hotel, food became important when the Portuguese owners took over in the 1970s. Famous for being an example of the melting pot that is Joburg, the Troyeville Hotel became a strong art, academic and political scene in the 80s and 90s, mixed with Portuguese builders and artisans. A big rugby and sports venue with screened football, one has access to live games at Ellis Park.

Salvation Café 011 482 7795
Recently renovated, but still churning out superb food and coffee. Using organic ingredients where possible, the breakfasts are wholesome and delicious. The 44 Stanley complex is worth exploring – it houses eclectic shops and other fantastic eateries. Salvation Café is still our number one choice.

Il Giardino Degli Ulivi 011 482 4978
Marc Letzler, now in his 20th year in the restaurant business (Casalinga,Assaggi and Il Fiume), has joined up with Brian Green and a very strong kitchen team to turn out simple and delicious Italian dishes Pizzas and desserts. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with chandeliers, rich colours and brass clad, white marble topped bar.It lights up magically in the evenings. It also boasts a cheeky little wine list.

The Cradle restaurant 011 659 1622

Go for lunch at the Cradle Restaurant and afterwards listen to a talk given by Willem Boshoff, one of the featured artists in the Sculpture Park at The Nirox Foundation which will be open to visitors all morning.

Fino 011 447 4608
Fino, the Spanish Tapas Bar & Restaurant located in Parktown North is now in its 5^th Year. The current owners Zane Beer & Cristina Sato who bought Fino back in mid 2006, have worked hard on changing both the image and standard of the food. These efforts have paid off with Fino receiving a platinum award from American Express for Top Restaurants in 2008/9, as well as consistent annual invitations to the Taste Of Joburg for the city’s top restaurants.