While autumn may signal the end of the South African summer, renowned Stellenbosch wine farm, Spier, promises to keep the skies brighter for longer, when hosting the third annual Spier Light Art.
Each night, from 19 March to 18 April 2021, visitors will experience an array of light, sound and video artworks throughout this historic Stellenbosch farm.
“Although COVID-19 is a common storm, it affects us all differently – especially so in a deeply unequal society like ours. What is universal, though, is our need for light and lightness,” said curators Jay Pather and Vaughn Sadie.
Pather and Sadie explain that while some of the works grapple with the pandemic, others offer “glimmers of pure beauty and opportunities to play”.
The installations at this year’s Spier Light Art include:
• Lume by Egbert Westra: An interactive installation where visitors can use their cell phone’s flashlight to create images on a phosphorescent screen alongside Lucy, a light painting robot
• The Singing Tree by the Willow Collective: An interactive piece combining light, music and technology with design and motion. The music and lights around you begin to change according to your position within the tree, inviting you to further interact with the environment
• Umdiydiya by Wezile Mgibe: In this video, the artist reflects back on past experiences in welcoming and unwelcoming spaces and celebrates the connections between loved ones
• How do you mourn? by Georgia Munnik: An array of colourful sculptures that invite viewers to reflect on the impact of climate change
Entrance is free of charge and the best time to visit is at dusk, capturing both the sunset and the switching on of the lights. Visitors will, however, need to reserve a timeslot on Dineplan to ensure compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols and government restrictions.