Brocha Farm; Bruce Arnott; Barry Gould Architects; Lu’Ah folk-pop; Investec Art Fair
PS: Weekend Art Retreat with Jill Trappler at Wildekrans Country House – the weekend of Friday the 15th of May – enquire and book by reply email.
PPS: Walk the Green Mountain Trail checking in on Tuesday the 7th of April, directly after the Easter Weekend. Book by reply email.
Good Morning
“Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going to? I defy any political scientist to answer these questions. Artists on the other hand have the freedom, the means and the temerity to test the mythic soup in which science (including political science) so happily wallows. Historically art has been both demeaned and mystified and this has seriously confused the understanding of our discipline.” Bruce Arnott speaking to the writings of Spanish philosopher Ortega y Gasset in his Opening Speech: Michaelis student exhibition (1990). An invitation to visit the home of the late Bruce Arnott and Mari Lecanides-Arnott last Saturday, got me pre-reading more of INTO THE MEGATEXT, a comprehensive overview of Bruce Arnott’s life and work edited by Mari Lecanides-Arnott and Sven Christian.
‘How do we distinguish between art and non-art? Well as in all professions, the practitioner knows when they are confronted by quality – this discernment is learned as a student and applied in practise. For those who remain sceptical about art, Robert Graves has provided a graphic description of the symptoms that manifest in the presence of the muse.” The hair stands on end, the eyes water, the throat is constricted, the skin crawls and a shiver runs down the spine”_ this is the aesthetic shudder or grue.’ Bruce Arnott, Michaelis exhibition 1990.
My one and only Barry Gould designs for and together with Andrew and Rozy Gunn. Andrew and Rozy introduced us to the work of sculptor Bruce Arnott in 2013. Bruce supervised sculpture student Rozy’s Master of Fine Art degree at UCT’s Michaelis.
Wildekrans Country House is experiencing an unprecedented busyness to this first quarter of the year. Hosting hikers and those hellbent on making the most of each day is a privilege. Much to be learnt from early morning and evening chats to people from near and far, this week a group of young entrepreneurs that meet once a month to discuss challenges and victories. One such chat was to Lu’Ah folk-pop artist, take a listen, it’s dreamy @luahmusic , just what the 2026 doctor ordered.
| In Crystal Espin’s recent Womenstuff feature ‘Walking for pleasure and solace is probably the most ancient gift that our body and health gives us. If you’ve never thought to book a walking holiday it’s time to jump on-board this travel trend. Pilgrimage-style walking holidays have sprung up all over the world but with the Green Mountain trail series right on our doorstep, South Africans can experience a world-class walking holiday without the need for a visa.’ She goes on to say ‘Oh, and there’s a generous slice of time carved out to appreciate good food and wine too!’ |
First born Hannah’s back surgery took me to Johannesburg this month. Returning to Jozi always brings on a massive injection of positivity and resilience. To begin with, the love and care of the team at Roodepoort’s Wilgeheuwel Hospital was eye watering. Hannah’s medicated sleepy state enabled me to spend a decent amount of time soaking in the friendly and service oriented Jozi peeps. I visited Hyde Park, which although larger and now attached to a hotel, still has the same luxurious yet not daunting feel of the boutique shopping centre that I frequented on Saturday mornings in my early thirties. Simon Stone’s mosaic still greets you at the gilded entrance.
I tagged along with Michelle Constant to Marianne Fassler’s Leopard Frock studio. Michelle bought the dress she wore to an awards evening back in her BASA days. Marianne is creating an archival space showing forty years of design. ‘Moments are so fleeting – you need to pin them down.’ Marianne Fassler in an interview with Jenny Crwys Williams WANTED 2017.
Each of the tens of thousands of visitors has their favourite works viewed at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair. These are some of mine. At a Peregrine Farmstall coffee date, neighbouring friends said they weren’t sure whether they liked contemporary art. There is a sure way to get to the bottom of that deliberation. With a tiny amount of persuasion, Investec kindly invited the four of us to the opening of the doors to this amazing installation of almost only contemporary works, the Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2026. We had great fun exploring and it seemed to me that said friends do in fact undoubtedly enjoy contemporary art works.
Another reread took me to The Christmas Letter by John N. Morris.
‘The present lasts forever’ suddenly dawned on me, a bright light thought, imagine that.
The Christmas Letter
Wherever you are when you receive this letter
I write to say we are still ourselves
In the same place
And hope you are the same.
The dead have died as you know
And will never get better,
And the children are boys and girls
Of their several ages and names.
So in closing I send you our love
And hope to hear from you soon.
There is never a time
Like the present. It lasts forever
Wherever you are. As ever I remain.
With love
