‘Visual Century’ 10 Years Later, webinar (2021)

9 November 2021

It is ten years since the publication of Visual Century: South African Art In Context 1907–2007, a four-volume boxed set featuring commissioned texts from over thirty authors. Arguably, the most ambitious research project ever undertaken on the art of an African country, Visual Century remains relatively little known and celebrated. What were the achievements and shortcomings of the project? What is its relevance today? How does Visual Century speak to contemporary trends in researching and publishing art historical accounts of contemporary South/African art?

Writing South/African Art History: Visual Century 10 Years Later

It is ten years since the publication of Visual Century: South African Art In Context 1907–2007, a four-volume boxed set featuring commissioned texts from over thirty authors. Arguably, the most ambitious research project ever undertaken on the art of an African country, Visual Century remains relatively little known and celebrated. What were the achievements and shortcomings of the project? What is its relevance today? How does Visual Century speak to contemporary trends in researching and publishing art historical accounts of contemporary South/African art?

This webinar featured three of the architects of Visual Century — artist and curator Gavin Jantjes (initiator and director of The Visual Century Project), art historian Mario Pissarra (chief editor and project manager) and art historian Lize van Robbroeck (editor of volume two). The discussion was moderated by art historian Nomusa Makhubu. The panel reflected on the editorial, commissioning and writing processes of Visual Century as well as on the challenges of academic publishing and book distribution. They also engaged alternatives, including the need for more open access publishing, and the potential of new technologies to reshape the field of contemporary publishing.

Visual Century was published by Wits University Press and The Visual Century Project (2011). It was project managed by the Africa South Art Initiative (ASAI). Funding for Visual Century came from the Department of Arts and Culture, Republic of South Africa; the Foundation for Arts Initiatives; and the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.


Share