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Goethe on Main focuses on the Inner City

Kabelo Mofokeng´s photographs depict the 2007 eviction of hundreds of residents from Monis Mansion, a block of flats in central Johannesburg. The exhibition thus highlights a major inner city problem – how to deal with buildings which have been abandoned by their owners and then enter a spiral of inadequate maintenance, over-crowding and unsafe and unsanitary conditions. The project, by highlighting the above issues, hopes to contribute to the debate on finding solutions to homelessness, inner city crowding and the current often ineffective government responses.

The photographs will be complemented by poems and prose commentaries at the opening on 4 September at 6.30pm. The poets include Ike Mboneni Muila, Kwelagobe Sekele, Elvis Maleka, Uhuru wa ga Phalafala and Allan Kolski Horwitz. In addition, new paintings by David Koloane with the theme of the inner city will be exhibited.

- On 11 September, from 10am to 5pm, Goethe hosts a photography workshop and discussion which is open to all. Moderators are Peter McKenzie, Kabelo Mofokeng and Moshe Sekete.
The first half of the day will feature a walkabout and critique of the photographs making up Red Ants, and be followed by a discussion on the nature of photo-journalism as contrasted with photography as an art form. The second half will be made up of a walk in the inner city, granting participants an opportunity to take their own photographs of a variety of locations.
- On 19 September, from 2pm to 7pm, Poetry/Fiction and Music that reflects and represents Joburg’s inner city lifestyle. Participants include several of the poets/writers featured in the exhibition, as well as local musicians. There will also be an open mike component.
- On 23 September, from 10am to 5pm, there is a continuation of the photography workshop, with a critique and development of the work taken on 11 September.
- On 26 September at 2pm, there is a performance of “Kuyanuka”, by Gha- Makhulu Diniso. This is a one-act play that deals with the stink of hypocrisy as it mixes with the crisis of “service delivery”.

Goethe-on-Main is at 245 Main Street, Joburg. Phone 011 442 3232, write to info@johannesburg.goethe.org  or visit goetheonmain@johannesburg.goethe.org