67 Mandela Day minutes contemplating the faces of Madiba
JULY 17, 2014: MANDELA’S legacy, celebrated on the day of his birth, will be widely shared on July 18 through the annual 67 Minutes initiative. Associated, is the question of how much reflection – on the man, his deeds and actions – actually takes place every year.
The Athenaeum Gallery in Central and Numb City Productions, in collaboration with the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) aim to provide a context for this reflection through their joint exhibition of the 95 Mandela Poster Project, procured for exhibit specifically for the National Arts Festival and Mandela Day.
“If you don’t have anything planned yet for Mandela Day, we are offering walking tours of the exhibition so that those passionate about Madiba’s legacy may join in reflection of how 95 designers from around the world perceived the global icon,” said Athenaeum Manager, Asanda Mlata.
The Athenaeum has further teamed with the MBDA, in using the 67 Minutes initiative to provide people with, “an experience worth participating in, in their lifetime”, claims MBDA Marketing Manager, Luvuyo Bangazi, “by joining the Route 67 public art journey through the city”.
“The Athenaeum is on this route and we have further gravitas as hosts of this incredible, global travelling exhibition,” said Amy Shelver of Numb City Productions, operators of the Athenaeum building. “We want to encourage people to come and contemplate the many faces of Madiba – and take home a sense of who this man was throughout his lifetime and what he meant to millions across the world.”
The posters, which were purchased by the SABS Design Institute to support the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, have returned to South Africa following a global journey. The concept was initiated by a collaboration of South African designers who, in May 2013, conceptualized the idea to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life by collecting 95 exceptional posters from around the world, in honour of his lifelong contribution to humanity.
The independent team of volunteers, now known as the Mandela Poster Project Collective, gave freely of their time and expertise to make the exceptional happen. Over 60 days, more than 700 posters were submitted by designers from over 70 countries. The collection was curated and the 95 posters (representing 95 years of Madiba’s life) were procured for exhibition and finally for auction to raise funds.
Plans are underway for a limited edition publication showcasing 500 of the poster submissions following the high caliber of the acclaim the exhibition has received. The 95 Mandela Poster Project Traveling Exhibition closes this weekend.
“The Athenaeum and MBDA invite the public to join us in reflecting on the faces of Madiba at the Athenaeum,” added Mlata.