Zeitz MOCAA Transforms Cape Town Grain Silo into Cathedral of Contemporary African Art
The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, situated in a renovated grain silo from 1924 on Cape Town's waterfront and designed by Thomas Heatherwick, has opened its doors. This museum showcases the collection of German entrepreneur Jochen Zeitz, supported by the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. As the largest institution dedicated to 21st-century African art, it presents pieces that explore themes of post-colonialism, identity, and slavery. Among its prominent installations are Nicholas Hlobo's African Dragon, Kudzanai Chiurai's satirical works, Mohau Modisakeng's photographs of Soweto, and Mary Sibande's fiberglass sculptures. It features contributions from international artists like William Kentridge and Yinka Shonibare, spanning seven floors and over 100 galleries, with significant acquisitions from events such as the Venice Biennale.
Key facts
- Zeitz MOCAA opened in a repurposed 1924 grain silo in Cape Town
- British architect Thomas Heatherwick carved 42 cylinders to create a cathedral-like interior
- The museum houses Jochen Zeitz's collection on long-term loan
- Privately funded by the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
- Largest museum of 21st-century African art on the continent
- Features over 100 galleries across seven floors
- Artists explore post-colonialism, self-identity, and slavery
- Includes works acquired from the Venice Biennale
Entities
Artists
- Thomas Heatherwick
- Nicholas Hlobo
- Kudzanai Chiurai
- Mohau Modisakeng
- Joel Andrianomearisoa
- Mary Sibande
- Nandipha Mntambo
- William Kentridge
- Yinka Shonibare
- Chris Ofili
- Ghada Amer
- Frohawk Two Feathers
- Glenn Ligon
- Liza Lou
- Roger Ballen
- Julien Sinzogan
Institutions
- Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
- Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
- Venice Biennale
- FTM (Foiben-Taosarintanin'i Madagasikara)
Locations
- Cape Town
- South Africa
- Robben Island
- Johannesburg
- Soweto
- Swaziland
- Egypt
- Madagascar