Investigating transformation and decolonization at an institutional galley in the Western Cape
Date
2021-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY : During the final years of my undergraduate program, the student protests of #FeesMustFall had swept the country. The topic of decolonization came to the fore at many campuses in South Africa. From the period
of the student protests, the gallery that I am investigating was more frequently hosting events and doing
various shows around the topic of decolonization. My proximity and experience of these events led to me
question and then, research how an institutional gallery could be structured or should exist in the
framework of decoloniality. In this research I will describe my experience and thoughts as a native of the
Western Cape, reflecting on that time, but also admitting that these thoughts were influenced by many
conversations with fellow students and the public. I am writing a theoretical thesis where I will reflect on
my experience of various exhibitions and events at a galley in the Western Cape during 2015-2016. Through
the description of these events, I will investigate theoretical perspectives related to socio-semiotic space,
transformation, and decolonization to evaluate and better understand how the cultural production of art
may foster a decolonized space It is important to say that I do not know what the ultimate synthesis of
decolonization may entail but can only hope to present an overview of my theoretical investigations. I
embarked on this research practice to understand how post-colonial theory in a post-colonial city affects
art/gallery/citizen education in the region of Stellenbosch.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Description
Thesis (MA(VA))--Stellenbosch University, 2021.
Keywords
Social change -- Stellenbosch (South Africa), Decolonization -- Stellenbosch (South Africa), Art museums -- Social aspects -- Stellenbosch (South Africa), UCTD