Zeitz MOCAA is gearing up to unveil "UNDERSTUDIES," the first major solo exhibition by Johannesburg-based artist Nolan Oswald Dennis.
Set to open on October 8, 2024 and running until May 25, 2025, this exhibition promises to be a thought-provoking experience that challenges perceptions of art and knowledge.
Dennis, known for his unique para-disciplinary approach, invites visitors to rethink traditional notions of art.
“I see artworks as models and diagrams rather than just sculptures or installations,” Dennis explained.
This shift in perspective encourages people to view his pieces as experiments in understanding the world around them, rather than mere objects of admiration.
The exhibition will unfold on Level 3, Elevator Side of the museum, showcasing a series of artworks that delve into complex themes of geology and cosmology, think land and landlessness, local knowledge, and the multiverse.
According to Dennis, the exhibition space serves as a “site for experimentation,” allowing ideas to evolve over time rather than confining them to individual pieces.
Dennis, born in Lusaka, Zambia, in 1988, explores the intricate web of decolonization, focusing on the politics of space and time. His work challenges the established systems of knowledge, intertwining social, technical, political, and spiritual threads.
“I redirect geological techniques like stratigraphy to uncover personal and political narratives about our relationship to land,” he noted.
One stand out feature of "UNDERSTUDIES" is the reimagined wall installation titled Black Liberation Zodiac (Molalatladi)(2018).
This captivating piece incorporates iconography from Black and African liberation archives, mapping these histories onto the southern hemisphere night sky.
It’s a striking counter-narrative to conventional celestial interpretations, inviting viewers to reconsider their place in a broader universe.
The exhibition is not just about Dennis’s vision but also emphasizes on collaboration.
“At Zeitz MOCAA, Dennis unsettles his own artistic authorship by inviting several museum staff to co-produce an artwork,” shared Thato Mogotsi, curator of UNDERSTUDIES.
This collaborative piece, titled Xenolith (Letsema) (2024), manifests as a free-standing column of tightly packed soil, crafted by the many hands that nurture the museum’s infrastructure. This gesture not only highlights the essential roles of museum staff but also promotes a spirit of collective learning and co-creation.
As "UNDERSTUDIES" unfolds, it invites people to engage critically with notions of authority and instruction. Dennis’s work encourages viewers to confront and question the established hierarchies of knowledge and power, forging new connections in the process.
This exhibition is part of Zeitz MOCAA's ongoing commitment to showcasing in-depth, research-based solo exhibitions by artists from Africa and the Diaspora. Generously supported by Gucci, the Mellon Foundation, and BMW South Africa, "UNDERSTUDIES" stands as a testament to the museum's dedication to promoting diverse artistic practices.
IOL