Kevin Nyango
TechInAfrica – The Fak’ugesi Africa Residency which is a creative residency found in 2014, specializes in supporting innovators and digital creatives. It announces its 5th artist’s residency which takes place from August 8th to September 9th, 2018. The artists are from Cairo, Geneva, and New Delhi who will collaborate with a South African and a Zimbabwe artist. It aims to support regional connection as well as networks in the digital arts’ world.
The Fak’ugesi Festival Director, Tegan Bristow says: “On current Fak’ugesi Festival, we will see creative technologists work with algorithms, fractals, and patterns of indigenous cultures. They will match their work based on this year’s theme which explores vernacular and traditional cultures as its role in digital cultures and practices.”
Bristow says that the Residency is getting a support from Pro Helvetia and the ANT Fund which has already started since 2016. The fund will be given via the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). He adds that they are very excited to extend the Regency and looking forward to collaborating with them again. The 2018 inclusion in South Asia, Noth Africa, and Switzerland is a part of the program to celebrate Pro Helvetia offices’ anniversaries in Cairo, Johannesburg, and New Delhi.”
Joseph Gaylard as the Head of Pro Helvetia in Johannesburg talks about the motive behind the investment, “This new generation of practitioners and artists from India, Switzerland, and Johannesburg work together to create new patterns of transnational connection and collaboration in the digital arts sector over its traditional culture’s world. We believe that this project will be a good example of new idea and practice in the art, the intersection of culture, and technologies for the upcoming years.”
Tshimologong Makes Space and the Wits School or Arts Point of Order Gallery are going to host the Residents, followed by the final exhibition on September 4th, 2018 at Point of Order Gallery. Moreover, the Residency will also integrate a special project by Marc Lee, a Swiss artist. It will focus on the language diversity in online media. He will be a mentor for the residents and offering a Master class which is opened publicly on September 7th, 2018.
Fak’ugesi Residency artists of the current year are Nkhensani Mkhari from Johannesburg, Joshua Chiundiza from Harare, Yara Mekawei from Cairo, Abhiyan Humane from New Delhi, Anoop Saxena from New Delhi, and Mathilde Buenerd from Geneva.
Please visit www.fakugesi.co.za for further information about Residency of Fak’ugesi 2018.
