Constantia Nek to the Dams

It has been more than a decade since I had gone up all the way up the trail at Constantia Nek. The weather started off as perfect for hiking - warm (but not hot), cloudy with a light breeze. By the time we got to the top, it was foggy, cold, with a steady drizzle. So, unfortunately there were no amazing views of the bay and Cape Flats or of the dams. We took refuge at a small museum chronicling the building of the dams, including a steam engine, an ironsmith's forge and a few other bits and pieces; to wait out the drizzle before heading back. 

Poor weather aside, it's a good hike with a lot less people - need to do it again on a day without the tablecloth.

Michaelis' Graduate Exhibition

I last went to an exhibition at the UCT's Michaelis School of Fine Arts when I was still at UCT. But I keep getting exhibition invites, and off course not showing up. Since I am in Cape Town for a while this month, I decided to see the sprawling exhibition of the graduate class, housed in 6 buildings of the Hiddingh Campus.

Most of the work seems to be quite self indulgent, an air of self importance; that probably comes from the fact that the artwork presented is also marked for the student's marks. But there are some amazing gems - works that stand on their own, or makes one think.

For me, the highlight was the Ubulungiswa/Justice Collaboration - a multi media installation encompassing a number of students, exploring topical themes of 2015 - xenophobia and the RhodesMustFall/FeesMustFall movements. Encompassing video, performance art, costumes and ohotography, it was novel, interesting and thought provoking.

Equally thought provoking was Simphiwe Ndzube's installations exploring migrancy through discarded clothing. The installation was a harsh visual representation of the migrant world - especially given 2015's various stories on migrants.

There are many more interesting works - and the showcase is very diverse; and will caters for almost every type of art work. And maybe if you like something, you can get it for a bargain - you know, before they become famous :)