“Is this really art?”

I had been anticipating this sort of question from my husband, who had eventually conceded to join me at the Cape Town Art Fair this weekend (on condition that it did not interfere with the Currie Cup rugby final). As a newbie to the art scene, he was my guinea pig to see just how effective the inaugural Art Fair was in creating a new platform of African contemporary art that is relatable to everyone – from collectors to the general public.

When people ask questions, they’re on the right track to discovering the significance of art in society. So I was glad when he started saying things like, “Even I could do this,” because that started a conversation. You may never be convinced that every piece is worthy of being framed and sold for a few thousand rand. That’s ok. There’s no rule that says you have to like every piece of art you see. Liking art is subjective, but when you learn to appreciate the time and effort that each artist has taken to create something new and the boldness they have to display their work to the critics – professional or not – you begin to appreciate each work for what it is. And even if you could do the same thing, you probably haven’t. A piece may or may not be exceptional, but it is art, because, simply put, no one in the history of the world has ever put that specific colour in that exact spot with that exact stroke and intention.

With this in mind, we browsed through the maze of displays, representing 40 galleries and over 130 artists. Unlike a gallery space where visitors adopt hushed tones and “intellectual” mannerisms, the Cape Town Art Fair was a refreshing blast of movement, laughter, exuberant praise, toe trampling, clicking cameras, neon board shorts, and clinking champagne glasses. Even upon arrival at The Lookout venue at the V&A Waterfront, the giant red cube installation by Cape Town land artist, Strijdom van der Merwe, invited you to physically interact and engage with the “newly unpacked” exhibition.

With such a wide range of media and genres packed into one gallery space, you had no choice but to be exposed to something new. We were led through a labyrinth of bright pop art, black and white photographic archives, richly textured paintings, dark commentaries, quirky sculptures, vigorous scrawls, intricate paper works, culinary masterpieces, artworks that were borderline kitsch, and everything in between.

The Fair was designed for visitors to interact with galleries and artists, and that’s exactly what happened. Conversation started and took off – which I believe is a vital step for Cape Town as it prepares to host the World Design Capital next year. It will be exciting to see Cape Town’s journey to becoming a global art capital where artists not only set trends, but are supported and encouraged by the “every man” on the street.  Even if every man first has to ask the question, “Is this really art?”

UPDATE: The successful Cape Town Art Fair will be back in February 2014. Watch this space!

Here are a few of the works that were on display:

Do you think Cape Town can become a world class art capital to stand with the likes of Milan?