After years of isolation as a result of the cultural boycott, South African art began experiencing unprecedented foreign interest during 1994. This continued during 1995 as more and more overseas artists visited South Africa, amongst them Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Bryan Adams, The Moody Blues and The Rolling Stones. It was also announced that the tenor, Lucianno Pavarotti, would give two performances in South Africa in January 1996. Two hundred and fifty musicians, dancers and singers formed part of the largest foreign contingent ever to take part in the International Eisteddfod of South Africa, which was held at the end of September 1995.
While the South African public had the opportunity to see some of the world's best in action, local artists were also given the chance to display their talents abroad.
For the first time in the 29-year history of the Midem Trade Affair at Cannes, South Africa was afforded the honour of opening this event at the Palais Des Festival Grand Auditorium. Reggae star Lucky Dube and the groups Tananas, O Yaba and Bayete mesmerised the international audience.
South Africa's re-entry into the international cultural arena also saw the biggest international art exhibition ever held in the country. Some 400 artists participated in the Johannesburg 1995 Biennale from 28 February to 30 April 1995, with most of the city's art galleries being adorned with paintings, sculptures and photographs from more than 60 countries. The main aim of the Biennale programme was public education, with the focus on dynamic interaction, entertainment and personal enrichment through engaging with local and international visual art. The themes of the Biennale were -- Decolonizing our Minds -- and -- Volatile Alliances.
South Africa's stage talent was acknowledged abroad when the cast, director and writers of the Market Theatre's presentation of the award-winning play, Take the Floor, were invited to perform at Edinburgh's prestige Traverse Theatre during the 1995 Edinburgh International Arts Festival in Scotland.
While the South African public had the opportunity to see some of the world's best in action, local artists were also given the chance to display their talents abroad.
For the first time in the 29-year history of the Midem Trade Affair at Cannes, South Africa was afforded the honour of opening this event at the Palais Des Festival Grand Auditorium. Reggae star Lucky Dube and the groups Tananas, O Yaba and Bayete mesmerised the international audience.
South Africa's re-entry into the international cultural arena also saw the biggest international art exhibition ever held in the country. Some 400 artists participated in the Johannesburg 1995 Biennale from 28 February to 30 April 1995, with most of the city's art galleries being adorned with paintings, sculptures and photographs from more than 60 countries. The main aim of the Biennale programme was public education, with the focus on dynamic interaction, entertainment and personal enrichment through engaging with local and international visual art. The themes of the Biennale were -- Decolonizing our Minds -- and -- Volatile Alliances.
South Africa's stage talent was acknowledged abroad when the cast, director and writers of the Market Theatre's presentation of the award-winning play, Take the Floor, were invited to perform at Edinburgh's prestige Traverse Theatre during the 1995 Edinburgh International Arts Festival in Scotland.