Culture & Climate - The Goethe-Institut's programme for COP17

"DON’T/PANIC" - is this the answer to the questions raised by natural disasters and catastrophes caused by the changing climate? Or is it the urgent request, directed at world leaders as well as world citizens to act (differently)?

"DON’T/PANIC" is the title of an exhibition, opening at the Durban Art Gallery during the COP17 climate change summit. This exhibition, curated by Gabi Ngcobo, seeks to raise questions and to offer new perspectives, rather than present pre-fabricated answers. It will contribute to the public debate and be a platform in a city which is in the focus of the world’s attention for two weeks in November/December 2011.

The exhibition presents powerful artistic voices from across the African continent, including works by Mlu Zondi, Clive van den Berg, Otobong Nkanga, David Koloane, Batoul S’Himi and Moshekwa Langa. Many of these voices are critical, sometimes in an overt, sometimes in a subtle way, sometimes humorous, sometimes standing as an indictment. Some of the works may raise awareness and some may simply be poetic statements.

The Goethe-Institut and the Heinrich-Böll Foundation have partnered to commission "DON’T/PANIC" as a contribution to the summit by adding a unique African artistic perspective to the discussion.

Gabi Ngcobo concludes that "DON’T/PANIC (…) is not a platform to provide answers but rather one in which a series of questions, speculations, proposals and processes are assembled to create a space to sharpen reflection and encourage resistance."

The exhibition runs from 23.11.2011 to 19.02.2012.
The preview takes place on 23.11.2011 at 6pm for 06.30 pm and the official opening on 30.11.2011 at 6pm for 06.30 pm. 

The catalogue will be available from all good bookstores nation-wide, and can be ordered with a 20% discount at
www.jacana.co.za
The books is also available online from
www.kalahari.net
www.loot.co.za
www.exclusives.co.za

Open forum & walkabout

The "DON’T/PANIC" Open Forum & Walkabout will take place on Saturday December 3, 2011 at the Durban Art Gallery, Circular Gallery, from 11h00 to 13h00. The walkabout will begin at the Durban Art Gallery and will include discussions with the curator and contributors to the project. The walkabout will move from the Durban Art Gallery to two site specific interventions that form part of "DON’T/PANIC", "Messages of the Living" and "Weeds" at the Warwick Triangle site where lunch will be provided. Participants include curator Gabi Ngcobo with artists Dineo Bopape, Otobong Nkanga, Zamani Makhanya, Kim Anno and Doung Anwar Jahangeer among others.

Education programme

An education programme for school learners engaging with the exhibition "DON’T’/PANIC" will start at the beginning of the new school term in January 2012. Interested teachers can contact Durban Art Gallery/ Education Department
0313112269 / 0313112274 / 0313112275