What: The Rolex Arts Weekend, a two-day fiesta to fete the Rolex Mentor And Protege Arts Initiative from its 2018-2019 edition. Think a mini Coachella, Ted Talk and an art biennale rolled into one. The event is curated by Fruzsina Szep who is the artistic director of Lollapalooza Berlin music festival (see what we told you about the festival energy?).
First launched in 2002, the art initiative is the watch maison’s way to foster and perpetuate the different artistic disciplines around the world spanning the world of dance, literature, and music. The event will feature works/exhibitions/performances/readings from four proteges, as well as in-depth forums and discussions about the role of culture in society and the interdisciplinary nature of art today.
A background: Mentors who are veterans and leaders form their respective fields spend two years to bond and engage with their young proteges who are nominated by a panel of experts. The end result from this mentorship varies – it could be a new book or snagging an appointment as the artistic director of major theatre companies. Over 1,100 artists from 105 countries have been nominated since the program began close to two decades ago.
When: This weekend, over two days on Feb 8 and Feb 9.
Where: The Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, with 200 renowned artists and arts leaders expected to attend.
Who: The four proteges – dancer Khoudia Toure, architect Mariam Kamara, the novelist Colin Barrett, and drummer Marcus Gilmore – will be the stars of the event.