The annual Plett ARTS Festival kicks off this 30 September, running until 9 October in the resort town of Plettenberg Bay. With a programme full of exhibitions, film screenings, live performances, public art and more, Creative Feel’s editor, David Mann, has selected five aspects from the festival programme that can’t be missed.
View artworks on paper
30 September – 9 October
Curator talk: 3 October
There are a number of exhibitions on show this year. One we’re looking forward to is PAPERWORKS by Forms Gallery. Taking place at Melville’s Corner, the pop-up exhibition will showcase limited-edition fine art prints and artworks on paper from artists, printmakers and workshops working in, or connected to, South Africa. Forms Gallery’s Anthea Buys will also be hosting a talk on 3 October focussing on starting one’s art collection with works on paper.
Visit the Bronze Fields farm
8 October
Here’s a rare opportunity to witness the striking process of bronze-pouring by a foundry craftsman. On Saturday 8 October, the sculptor Robert Leggat invites viewers into the garden at Bronze Fields farm to witness a bronze-pouring demonstration while enjoying food and drinks. Stick around after that to catch some live music in the forest theatre a short walk from the farm.
Don’t miss the land art
30 September – 9 October
Controlled art burning: 8 October
Land art is central to the festival. Last year, the Plett ARTS Festival initiated the Land Art Route, an immersive and interactive tour through the area and the ephemeral, site-specific works of art commissioned for the festival. This year is much the same, with selected artists working under the theme of ‘Connect’ and beginning work on their sites from 30 September. In this way, audiences are able to view the process of the works being created, or take a stroll along the coast to view all of the works once they’re complete. Many of this year’s land artworks are cross-disciplinary, involving performances that activate the work. Be sure to stick around for the controlled art burn planned for the night of 8 October.
Do the Twilight Meander
30 September and 7 October
The festival’s Twilight Meander is a festival highlight. From 17:00 to 20:00, the centre of town is activated with live music, pop-up galleries, restaurants and performances. Play the part of the flaneur and take a stroll through the streets at dusk, popping into whichever café, restaurant or gallery catches your eye. There are two Twilight Meanders, one on 30 September to celebrate the festival’s opening, and one towards the end of the festival on 7 October. If you’re staying long enough, it’s a great way to bookend the festival.
Engage with digital art
30 September – 9 October
Motion graphics, graphic design and digital illustration will occupy the Plett Arts Hub for the duration of the festival. Mounted works, printed portfolios, and digital art printed onto eco-fabrics will be on display, as well as a video showreel of design work from some local graphic designers. If you’re headed to the Twilight Meander, you’ll also see some of the exhibition’s video works projected onto the buildings in town.
Browse the full programme here.
