South Africa

PRESS RELEASE

_{The 2nd Cape Town Biennale was officially opened by Native intellectual and writer Ronald Suresh Roberts at 6 p.m. at blank projects on 14th September, 2007.}

_{After the enormously successful 1st Cape Town Biennale in 2006, curated by Kathy Coates, Executive Director Andrew Lamprecht decided to make the biennale an annual event in recognition of Cape Town's reputation as a city that moves twice as fast as the rest of the world. This year's biennale will consist of three consecutive "one night" exhibitions, curated by Lamprecht and Coates.}

_{The opening exhibition, on Friday 14 September, consisted of a tribute to Suresh-Roberts's groundbreaking study of Thabo Mbeki, Fit to Govern: The Native Intelligence of Thabo Mbeki, published earlier this year. This was followed by an exhibition of invited international artists on Wednesday , 19 September, curated by Kathy Coates. On 26 September Andrew Lamprecht will curate an exhibition of local artists. All these events will open at 6 p.m.}

_{In response to queries about the choice of the opening speaker and event, Lamprecht commented, "Thabo Mbeki embodies an ideal of intellectual leadership that should stand as a model for the world. Suresh Roberts has highlighted his unique approach to the problems of our times which as a Native curator I find attractive and thought-provoking. I have no interest in 'illiberal' approaches to art-making and the control of the South African art market. This biennale highlights a truly locally-grounded approach to art within an international context."}