SAVE THE DATE: Ralph Ziman’s “The Casspir Project” Opens at The Rendon Gallery (Off-Site) – Thursday, February 7, 2019
The Rendon Gallery, which launched last week with KFiSH’s collaborative pop-up show, BLEND, will open its first off-site exhibit on Thursday, February 7. The Casspir Project features the work of interdisciplinary artist Ralph Ziman. Ziman was born in Johannesburg and now lives in Los Angeles. He draws from his experiences growing up in post-Apartheid South Africa to create work that addresses human rights issues such as apartheid, the over-militarization of police, and state violence.
The centerpiece of the exhibit is a massive Casspir military vehicle that Ziman has transformed into a work of art. During the Apartheid era, Casspirs were used weapons of terror, often used against civilians. Widely despised and feared, they became synonymous with violence, police intimidation, and institutional oppression. Post-Apartheid, many Casspirs were decommissioned, their hulls left to rust, a relic of the past better forgotten. Others were sold to the United States during the Iraq war years, and later, to local police forces.
Ziman’s Casspir has been covered with elaborate, brightly-colored panels of complex glass beadwork made in traditional patterns and completed by artisans from Zimbabwe and the Mpumalanga province of South Africa.
“I wanted to take what was the ultimate symbol of Apartheid, and turn it into something that is African and beautiful.” – Ralph Ziman
The Casspir Project also includes photography, film, beaded sculptures, tapestries, and handmade costumes. The collaborative pieces have created income for African craftspeople, while raising awareness of oppressive governments and the over-militarization of police around the world.
10% of sales of artworks (excluding the Casspir) will be donated between The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, whose mission is to create a safer America by ending America’s gun violence epidemic, and The Ron Finley Project, which aims to transform inner cities around the world from food deserts to food forests through urban gardening.
Top photo: A lone woman protests as soldiers in armored vehicles enter her township. C-print on Kodak Endura Paper. 44 x 115 inches, Edition of 5, Courtesy of Ralph Ziman
Opening Reception:
Thursday, February 7, 2019 (8 – 10 pm) // RSVP HERE
Exhibition:
February 7 – March 7, 2019
Wednesday – Sunday (12 – 6 pm) and by appointment
Special Programming:
On each Saturday and Sunday during the exhibition, Ziman will be on site live painting with selected artists on collaborative works, and the public is invited to watch their process. Collaborators will include Kelcey Fisher (a.k.a. KFiSH), Bisco Smith, Moncho 1929, and others.
Saturday, February 9 – Sunday, February 10, 12 – 6 pm
Live Painting – Ralph Ziman x Kelcey Fisher a.k.a. KFiSH
Saturday, February 16 – Sunday, February 17, 12 – 6 pm
Live Painting – Ralph Ziman x Bisco Smith
Saturday, February 23 – Sunday, February 24, 12 – 6 pm
Live Painting – Ralph Ziman x Moncho 1929
Saturday, March 2 – Sunday, March 3, 12 – 6 pm
Live Painting – Ralph Ziman x TBA
In addition to the live painting events, on Saturday, February 23, the gallery will stay open into the evening to host a panel discussion.
Saturday, February 23, 6 – 9 pm (Discussion from 7:15-8 pm) // RSVP HERE
Panel Discussion – From Oppression to Expression: Speaking Out Against a History of Violence. Moderated by Alberto Retana, President & CEO of Community Coalition. Confirmed panelists include Ralph Ziman, South African Artist & Filmmaker; Suzanne Verge, President, Los Angeles Chapter Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence; and Ron Finley, a.k.a The Gangsta Gardener/Founder of The Ron Finley Project.
Address:
The Rendon Gallery (Off-Site)
1242 Palmetto Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013