Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1982 (Accumulation)
Level of description
sub-subseries
Extent and medium
3 pages
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Medu Art Ensemble was formed by South Africa exiles in Gaborone, Botswana, in 1978. The organisation produced a wealth of creative work across all major art-forms; the roup further played a key role in shaping aesthetic and cultural theory and praxis within Africanist and liberation struggles. On June 14 1985, the South African Defence Force attacked the homes of Medu members and other activists in Gaborone, killing 12 people; Medu as an organisation ceased to exist.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The opening remarks of Art Towards Social Development Exhibition were delivered by Thami Mnyele on 9 June 1982. He gave an idea of the structure of the exhibition; a collection of paintings, sculptures and photographs would be displayed. The second part will be a symposium/festival held on the 5 July to the 9 July 1982. He also mentioned that symposium/festival would be dealing with literature and performing arts such as music, film, theatre and dance. This exhibition is a step towards being hopeful and practical about creating an alternative for artists in South Africa. The main question posed at the exhibition is: how to cultural workers and artists partake in the struggle for national liberation and self determination?
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Permission to publish must be obtained from the Medu Art Ensemble Project.