CAPE TOWN.- As South Africa joins the ranks of countries in lock down, Norval Foundation, soon to be on Google Art and Culture platform, decided to commit to provide inspiration beyond the isolation, by offering #60SecondArt digital stories via You Tube, Instagram and Facebook as well as virtual 360 virtual walkabout tours, giving art lovers not only access to the museum spaces but bit-size knowledge clips on a specific artist, painting, or sculpture.

“We believe that art has the power to enrich our lives and that artists contribute to our communities in a profound way, so in these dystopian times, Norval Foundation will celebrate art and artists by releasing 60 second stories about one artwork or one artist, once or twice a day each day,” says Norval Foundation’s Chief Executive Elana Brundyn. “The art being discussed either forms part of the Homestead Collection or is currently on display, and will be released on all Norval Foundation’s social media accounts.”

Clips will consist of a still image or video of one specific artwork, with local and international collaborators such as artists, curators, musicians, writers or museum team member reflecting on an artwork via a voice over, in simple, easy to understand terms. The clips can be viewed in retrospect, on Norval Foundation’s YouTube page, providing a digital gallery of accessible art experiences.

Norval Foundation Education Coordinator Lindsay Hendricks will also be narrating a series of #60SecondArt clips for kids including an exploration of William Kentridge’s small bronze art works made from everyday household objects that form part of his ‘Procession Series’, now on display at Norval Foundation. These short clips provide light-hearted informative entertainment while immersing children in valuable art education. While most clips will be narrated by Lindsay, there will also be surprise clips with voice overs by younger narrators.

Among the artists focused on in Norval Foundation’s #60SecondArt is the Kenyan painter Michael Armitage, whose work is currently on exhibit at Norval Foundation. Tune in here and listen to Chief Curator Owen Martin discussing Armitage’s “The Dumb Oracle,” 2019. The artworks in the exhibition “Accomplice: Michael Armitage” are based on rallies that occurred in Nairobi in the run up to the 2018 Kenyan general elections, which the artist attended. Amid the chaotic protests on the day, the artist draws on images, scenes and characters, both real and imagined to create this series of paintings.

“Especially in times like these, Norval Foundation endeavours to create high-quality content and public programming to broaden our understanding of the visual arts,” adds Brundyn. “Our aim remains to make art widely and digitally accessible to local and international visitors of all ages while creating a self-sustaining centre for art.”