Curatorship as a profession still is a relatively new specialization in the art world, with regard to the curatorial agency of the artist, the critic and the gallerist, versus the more traditional role of the museum custodian. But along with the increasing professionalization, the profile of the curator might not only define its resulting tasks, but also new hierarchies. While some curators seem to be aware of their powerful role and formulate a critical position within institutions, some curators still seem to reinforce a curator-as-superstar system. In this context, one might want to ask - what are the tasks of a curator?
This panel investigates the tasks of curatorship and its challenges both in South Africa and abroad. And what potential does the current situation offer in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, with regard to the existing or alleged lack of curatorial education? Could curatorship be taught at Universities in specific courses - and if so, how? What kind of dis/advantage might an educational system for aspiring curators engender, in the context of the previous auto-didactic path that former generations of curators have followed? How might such a professionalization face the risk of maintaining the existing art system?
Panelists: Riason Naidoo, Kathryn Smith and Claudia Marion Stemberger
Riason Naidoo is director of the South African National Gallery and Old Town House under Iziko Museums. He recently curated 1910-2010: From Pierneef to Gugulective that looked at a century of South African art. He also curated The Indian in DRUM magazine in the 1950s from Bailey's African History Archive (BAHA) and numerous exhibitions on the work of photographer Ranjith Kally that have been shown both locally and abroad.
Kathryn Smith operates at the interface between studio work, curatorial projects and scholarly research, with a particular interest in investigating histories of avant-garde and experimental practices in South African art. Recent projects include a public art programme for the Karoo town of Laingsburg; a monograph on Barend De Wet (SMAC Gallery, 2010) and Dada South? with Roger van Wyk (2009). She is senior lecturer and co-ordinator of Fine Arts Studio Practice in the Department of Visual Arts, University of Stellenbosch, and operates her studio as an occasional project space (serialworks).
