Insight: Exciting Riebeek Valley’s Solo Studios Intimate Art Encounters 2022

Insight: Exciting Riebeek Valley’s Solo Studios Intimate Art Encounters – Friday August 26 to Sunday August 28, 2022

On Wednesday [August 3, 2022], I attended a preview of Solo Studios Intimate Art Encounters 2022- taking place Friday, August 26, to Sunday, August 28 in the Riebeek Valley-Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West. The Solo Studios Intimate Encounters weekend is about art and artists and includes wine, food and entertainment. It is as the title suggests, an intimate encounter, with viewers having the opportunity to engage one-on-one, with artists, in their studios. Artists who do not live in the area, are also on board, collaborating and curating some of the exhibitions. As evidenced from the preview/media evening that I attended, it is a wonderful way to become immersed in the creativity of the artists, in situ, in their studios. There are guided walks and talks and other attractions. It is great to see the vibe in the Valley and thrill in creating art. Visitors will also have access to Die Kunshuis, a home in Riebeek Kasteel, which was designed around the art collection of Mike and Lorna Spittal. There is a cinema in the basement of the Kunshuis, Die Kelderteater. The art documentary, Sculpting This Earth, will be screened during Solo Studios 2022. The film, features internationally renowned land artist, Strijdom van der Merwe, who lives in Stellenbosch and is directed by Victor van Aswegen. The Solo Studios 2022 weekend, marks the world premiere of the film. More on Solo Studios, this week. In the meantime, book a room and stay for the weekend. I have stayed at the Royal Hotel and Vineyard Views and both are excellent. On the preview night, I stayed in a spectacular suite at The Royal Hotel – with views of the dam. Book rooms, while you can and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Valley. Info supplied:

WORLD PREMIERE OF STRIJDOM VAN DER MERWE FILM AT RIEBEEK VALLEY’S SOLO STUDIOS INTIMATE ART ENCOUNTERS.

The Riebeek Valley is once again hosting Solo Studios Intimate Art Encounters, a richly varied and stimulating visual arts event, seasoned with the best in local wine and food. From Friday, August 26, to Sunday, August 28, the organisers are spotlighting the valley that has become the nexus for a vibrant and growing artistic community.

Artists will be opening their homes and studios to a limited number of visitors with pre-booked tickets. Guided tours are also being arranged, stopping at the venues of participating artists, as well as at all the galleries in Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West that have lined up shows for the event. 

Says founder and organiser Klaus Piprek: “We pride ourselves in creating an easy-going, social, and joyful atmosphere, whilst catering to the tastes of avid art collectors. We want to eliminate all the hassle and amplify the fun. Studios are well signposted and also clearly indicated in a printed catalogue and map, but for some it’s easier to let an insider show them around. Tour guides are conversant with local arts and culture and can provide a very useful context to visitors.”

While there will be strong focus on local artists, non-resident artists have also been invited to collaborate and curate some of the exhibitions. The 18 selected Riebeek Valley artists will each be featured solo, giving them a chance to engage one-on-one with viewers. “That’s why we call it Intimate Art Encounters,” explains Piprek.  “It creates a rare opportunity to spend meaningful time with emerging and mid-career artists. Astute collectors should find much of interest.”

The event will open on Friday, August 26, at Die Kunshuis, with the world premiere of Sculpting This Earth, the new documentary feature film from Cape Town’s CineSouth Studios about the work of internationally renowned Stellenbosch land artist Strijdom van der Merwe.

Filmed and directed by CineSouth’s Victor van Aswegen, the 95-minute documentaryfollows the artist over the course of four consecutive seasons, from summer to summer, as he makes ephemeral artworks from natural materials in a wide range of striking natural settings. While Van der Merwe has made land art works on invitation in more than twenty countries, Sculpting This Earth shows him at work in local landscapes to which he has strong personal and emotional connections: in and around his home base of Stellenbosch, at Churchhaven on the Langebaan lagoon, and in the vast expanses of the Tankwa Karoo.

The world premiere screenings over the course of the Solo Studios weekend in the Riebeek Valley’s new state-of-the-art Kelderteater offer the opportunity to see the film with the director in attendance, along with soundtrack composer Kristi Boonzaaier, before it sets out on its journey around the world on the global film festival circuit.

Sculpting This Earth is scheduled for international release later this year. “We’re thrilled to be hosting the world premiere of this important art documentary in our own community,” says Piprek. 

The festival is also hosting 10 group shows representing around 55 artists.  

Visitors can expect to encounter urban Artist Falko One, who has created a once-off street art show for the event. Much-admired photographer Obie Oberholzer is hosting a solo exhibition, giving a presentation and launching his new book Happysadland. Eyes for Art depicts artmaking with children, and Aftermath – Making Art from War is an account of a child refugee fleeing Russian forces.

On both the Saturday and Sunday there will be public lectures on current ideas in art, open to those who are in possession of passes, as well as the opportunity to visit community projects.  

To celebrate the best in Riebeek Valley wine and food, the Riebeek Valley Wine Co will offer wine blending sessions, while Solo Kitchens will provide ample opportunity to engage with some of the finest hosts in the valley, on Saturday, August 27. There will be several other opportunities to taste the best in local fare.

Pricing ranges from R150 for a day pass, to R395 for a premier weekend pass.  Go to https://solostudios.co.za/tickets/ to purchase tickets.  For more programme details, visit www.solostudios.co.za. To find out more on local hotels and guesthouses, go to https://www.riebeekvalley.info/ or try Airbnb for private accommodation. 

Social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solostudiosriebeekvalley/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solostudiosrk/

Youtube video of Solo Studios 2020: https://youtu.be/Ai9L5jj25oQ 

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