Siyazama: Traditional Arts, Education,
and AIDS in South Africa

PICTURED: Doll, Lobolile Ximba (Zulu), 2003, made in Muden, Msinga region, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
Cloth and beads. 48" x 13" x 10". Photo by Pearl Yee Wong.

SCHEDULE FOR 2009:

Institute for Community Research
Hartford, Connecticut
March 13-May 30, 2009

This exhibition has been displayed at the Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI. A selection of objects from "Siyazama" has been displayed at the African American Performing Arts Center, Albuquerque, NM.

Throughout the world art has long been used as a tool for cultural, social, and economic change. In South Africa many educators and activists used performing and visual arts in the successful anti-apartheid movement. Now arts are being used there to educate individuals about the realities of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This exhibition explores how traditional knowledge and skills are used to address contemporary issues in South Africa. It showcases the Siyazama (Zulu for "we are trying") Project, an arts education project based in KwaZulu Natal which uses traditional crafts to raise awareness about AIDS.

As of 2005, 20 million people worldwide have died from AIDS and 39 million people are living with AIDS. In Africa alone, 25 million people are infected and there are 14 million orphans. With 5 million new HIV infections a year, AIDS is an epidemic of disastrous proportions. Over 100 pieces in this exhibit-including indigenous traditional art forms such as beadwork, dollmaking, basketry and wirework-reveal how South African artists are using their work to educate others as well as to cope with the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in their own lives and communities.

Rental fee (8-week period):	$10,000, plus shipping
Number of pieces:	116
Running feet required:	approx. 850 square feet, including 200 linear feet of wall space
Insurance Value:	$30,150
Security requirement:	Lockable, limited access display area; provisions to prevent the public from touching objects; object handling by museum professionals; temperature and light controls; fire protection according to local ordinances
Additional materials available:	Lectures; press materials

Siyazama Object List (pdf)

Siyazama Graphics Lists (pdf)

Sample News Release (pdf)

This traveling exhibition is a Michigan State University Museum, Michigan Traditional Arts Program activity supported by the Andrew J. Mellon Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

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This is an activity supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs