The 2019 International Public Art Festival (IPAF) kicks off this weekend on Saturday 9 February, and promises to offer a dynamic live art experience that will bring the streets of Salt River to life with an eclectic mix of local and international street artists.
The 2019 IPAF will showcase local talent as well as host international artists from Spain, France, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, the Ukraine, and USA.
Image: Oliver Petrie of Ekse Lens.
Some of the festivities will include an educational art tour created by the organisers of IPAF and BAZ-ART, a non-profit organisation invested in the power of art and in making it accessible to the public. The two creative bodies saw the opportunity to harness ‘the social benefits of street art’ to create employment opportunities for the local community.
Together, they want to promote the arts and local talent, and transform the perception of street art and graffiti. They believe that when one is guided properly, street art ‘can convey strong messages and be beautiful, impactful and inspirational’.
Image: Oliver Petrie of Ekse Lens.
Street art is gaining more traction in society and establishing itself as a respected and legitimate art form. Festivalgoers and art enthusiasts are encouraged to join the exclusive guided tours, hosted by two locals who are trained and qualified as Western Cape tour guides.
Nadia Agherdine and Anthea Brock will be able to provide more insight on participating artists at the festival and their works, as well as information about the history of the festival and graffiti.
Curious would-be curators and those looking for a different perspective of Cape Town will meet their guides at the Beth Uriel Me’Kasi Coffee Shop on Victoria Road in Salt River between 8am and 4pm.
Image: Oliver Petrie of Ekse Lens.
For a unique cultural experience, book a street art tour. Children under 12 may join for free, and adults pay R650 for an immersive two-hour guided tour into the cultural history of the Salt River, Woodstock and Cape Malay communities.
Alternatively, you may embark on a self-guided audio tour via the VoiceMap app, which costs just R50 to download.
South African artists to look out for are: Zola, Dbongz, Urban Khoi, Mernette Swarts, Dekor, Ryan Allan, Shinji, Jono Hornby, and Seth Pimanthel.
The International Public Art Festival runs from 9-17 February.
Image: Oliver Petrie of Ekse Lens.
All images supplied by Oliver Petrie of Ekse Lens
