The Sunday News
Nkosilathi Sibanda
THE global penetration of digital technology and other modern communication techniques have had the strongest impact on the art of painting and drawing.
A view of the current exhibition, Network Connected, on view at the National Art Gallery in Bulawayo, aptly demonstrates that the visual art scene no longer hinges on the artists’ conventional skills.
There is no more of the use of the brush, pencil, charcoal or pastels — it is now an art innovation largely influenced by technology.
The exhibition was opened officially by John Knight who is a professor at the National University of Science and Technology.
Running under the theme “The science and art of social connected” the exhibition gives ample evidence to cement the debate on how digital forms of communication have affected the way visual art works are produced and consumed.
The exhibition brings in the heated argument on the impact of technology on the visual arts at the National Gallery in Bulawayo.
It is the brainchild of the House of Menka Trust, a local based art firm that is dedicated to the promotion of the visual arts and aims to increase their visibility and appreciation by the local community.
Since July, when it was first hung, the exhibition has been described as a top drawer show that has kept art traders, pundits and ordinary viewers talking.
Renowned visual artist and widely acclaimed curator Tafadzwa Gwetai partnered with two of Bulawayo’s talented painters Terrence Musekiwa and Talent Kapadza in setting up the display.
Gwetai used his international experience to help Musekiwa and Kapadza to go out of their way to find different materials and shades to present a near realism yet abstract pieces of art.
Popular for his abstract work that links science and art, Gwetai allowed the exhibition to focus more on contemplation, creativity and developing groundbreaking ideas, as well as sound preparation for artwork.
“Setting up the exhibition ‘Network Connected’ was an incredible process as I am part of this new world that uses and embraces technology.
“The theme fascinated me in terms of the diversity of meanings that were possible to explore. Network Connected is an exhibition that embraces the new world of technology by discussing a subject that is constantly on the tip of our tongues,” he said.
According to Gwetai, the new age has seen the increase in devices that enable people to communicate and establish links across countries.
Establishing of networks has always been crucial to establish relations among people and different communities.
“We have evolved our methods of staying connected from the person where hand-written letters were posted to an era where we can connect instantly with someone who is on another continent.
“This exhibition creates a platform to begin the dialogue on the various meanings of the word ‘Network’. In our modern times, we rely on the internet. We are always in search of this invincible but yet important thing called Wi-Fi. This is the crucial element in establishing effective communication. We are constantly searching for a signal and attempt to connect to frequencies and thus establish ‘networks’. This is what our exhibition is explaining to the fore.”
The artists said they also developed the idea to make such works from the computer industry.
In an interview with Sunday Life, Musekiwa described how his sculptures consist of objects that are gathered from all across the Harare landscape.
“My creations are composed of objects that are picked in many places and all seem to connect when brought together to create the sculptures,” said the young artist.
Twitter: @NkosieLegend
