SA: GPS announces 2019 projects

The projects were selected following a call to artists to submit their proposals for GPS funding. GPS will make the next call for proposals in June 2019, Goethe-Institut said.

Founded in 2016, GPS is a travelling initiative that enables musicians, actors, artists, performers, curators, choreographers, writers, dancers, composers, directors and filmmakers to select the space and infrastructure they wish to work with.

An independent jury of arts professionals, made up of Boyzie Cekwana, Nontobeko Ntombela, Carina Truyts and Thato Mokgotsi, selected the following GPS projects for 2019:

• Artist Talks by Thokozani Mhlambi is a chance for emerging artist to interact, engage and learn the tricks of the trade from established artists. The project will give artists a chance to archive artistic practice as described, named and upheld by the artists themselves.
• Kasi Talent: Zithandi by Douglas Sekete is a project embarking on a quest to empower township youth with the freedom to own their own choices and look beyond their present circumstances through storytelling and movement.
• One Take Grace by Lindiwe Mathikiza is a collection of experimental audio-visual poems documenting and interpreting the life of actor and domestic worker Grace Mothiba Bapela. To mark the project’s transition from documentation to exhibition, the work will be unveiled for the first time in Bapela’s home village of Ga-Mothapo in Limpopo province.
• Zola by Julie Nxadi is a multimedia narrative installation and performance that includes physical theatre, choreography, photography, film, literature and animation, among others. The project features a collaboration between Grahamstown's Joza Youth Hub, dance collective Unknown Assets and multidisciplinary art collective Kiosk.
• The Hands That Feed You by Russel Hlongwane is an exhibition that reflects on the dynamics of a global dependency system, tracing maps of economic, political, social and psychological dependency through present-day affairs.
• ArtsAbility Dance Residency 2019 by Nadine Mckenzie is South Africa’s premier integrated dance training programme for young people living with disability who want to pursue dance as a profession.

“Goethe-Institut would like to congratulate the selected projects and looks forward to working with them to see works realised as part of the GPS programme in 2019," the German cultural association said.

“We also wish to thank everyone who submitted proposals for this call. The proposals were of a very high standard, and it was not an easy task to make a selection of the six projects we could support. We wish every artist or collective that put in an application for GPS 2019 the very best with the important work they are doing.”

For more information, visit the official Goethe-Institut website.