Something new and exciting is about to happen on the East Rand as the Gateway Hotel opens its doors to become a new art hub.
The grand opening takes place this Sunday at 5pm (for the public) and between 2pm and 4pm for invited guests.
To request an invite email to jessica@artstolife.com.
This perfectly preserved iconic 1950s building in Elandsfontein is having its interiors transformed into galleries, as young and established artists go on exhibition amidst dance, drama, music, poetry and fashion.
After two years in South Africa, observing its art marketplace, Jessica Deutsch, who has worked internationally in the art sphere, perceived that something needed to be done to make art part of everyone’s life in this country, and not elitist.
Having worked out of America, the UK, Europe and Russia, her observation is that in most countries art is seen as vital to society.
Lightheflame (www.lightheflame.com) , a grass roots movement spearheaded by Deutsch, director Arts to Life (London – New York) and Gerald Judelman, a Johannesburg businessman and owner of The Gateway Hotel – plans to address art in a new and different way.
Its aim is for people to enjoy it and see it as something that enriches their lives.
It plans to show how art makes a person think different thoughts and feel different feelings.
Most essential, it curates its exhibitions with art works of the moment, that speak to everyone, no matter their religion, belief, history or race.
Lightheflame exhibitions, which are to be event-driven, bring together spiritual Sangoma dancing, jazz music, poetry reading and play acting, to present art within the cultural framework that shapes it.
The Gateway Hotel will be open at weekends, or by appointment to visitors.
Prof Ronald Jones, from Harvard University, a renowned artist and art critic, is scheduled to kick off educational programmes at The Gateway in March, next year.
The first exhibition will include the sculptures of Prof Pitika Ntuli being placed in the beautiful gardens, underground boiler room and throughout the interior.
Ntuli’s choice of materials and subject matter speak to the civilisation of South Africa, where it has been, this moment in its time, and its dreams for the future.
Other artists participating include Thonton Kabeya, who works with paint and cold walnut powder to take the viewer into the fragility of children’s lives.
The main gallery will present two realities.
One is of serene landscapes and sparkling water, of mystery and pleasure, created by artists such as John Vuzi Mfupi, Cathy Layzell, Laurel Holmes and Roelof Roussow.
A darker reality of crowded streets, box-like dwellings, migrant people and rats underground is evoked by artists such as Daniel Rankadi Solomon, Happy Dhlame and Asanda Kupa .
Women, who they are, how they see themselves and how others view them invites self-exploration on the part of the viewer in the works of Adele Oldfield, Bongi Bengu and Marinda Combrinck.
The hotel is situated at the corner of Atlas and North Reef roads, Elandsfontein.
The current exhibition will run until December 15.
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