Art Exhibitions

25 February 2021

“Hemelliggaam (Afrikaans for heavenly body) or The Attempt To Be Here Now” is a visual archive, composed of photographs, video, installations, text and sounds, that constantly moves between the reality of significant scientific sites and the imaginative fragments of old Afrikaans science fiction novels, with particular reference to one of the most existential and emblematic writers, Jan Rabie (with his books Swart Ster oor die Karoo (Black Star over the Karoo) 1957, Die Groen Planeet (The Green Planet) 1961, and Die Hemelblom (The Heaven Flower) 1971).

“To look down, is to look up.” A selection from the “Hemelliggaam” archive is initiated by work from the Tswaing Crater and mining areas in Johannesburg. “The Hole” exhibition is a site-specific installation at the Pretoria Art Museum.

Something archaic radiates from the local community in connection with their science and technology needs. This project explores this concept by looking at forms of awareness that are already active and cultivating more awareness through conversations, participation and reflection.

“Hemelliggaam or The Attempt To Be Here Now” follows a deeply existential line where the human beings (both the old and contemporary), through their own perception of the universe, are strongly connected with nature and the way it reveals itself.

PRETORIA ART MUSEUM