The Graduate Programme in Architecture (GPA) at the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA), in partnership with the Gauteng Institute for Architecture (GIfA) will auction original drawings inspired by the City of Gold on Sunday, 4 October 2015.
“We all know the real gold is running out. No problem though, as we’re convinced that the 120 original drawings we plan to (Au)ction are worth gold,” says Prof Alex Opper. a senior lecturer of Architecture and artist. “The (Au)ction of these original drawings is inspired by Johannesburg, colloquially called Egoli, The City of Gold, hence the (Au) reference (from the Periodic Table) to G-O-L-D, that shiny stuff, the Joburg-bling-bling which is the reason we’re all here in the first place.”
Prof Alex Opper alongside FADA colleague, Lorenzo Nassimbeni and 17 architecture students of Unit 1 will be auctioning original artwork for as little as R100 an item.
Apart from refocusing the attention of the architectural industry and the broader public on the importance of drawing – as a crucial catalyst for the feeding of young architectural imaginations – this (Au)ction serves as a fundraiser for the end of year public exhibition. It will also assist with funding a planned week-long class-trip to Maputo in Mozambique. The students intend to use this trip to learn from the city, by visiting it, walking it and, most importantly, drawing it. As well as build ties between our school of architecture and that of Maputo.
Viewing of the artworks: All 120 drawings that will be on offer at the (Au)ction are being systematically uploaded to our Facebook event page. So, you can familiarise yourself with the works and their respective authors, before the actual (Au)ction takes place. Click here to see the artworks.
Contact information:
For further information regarding the auction, contact either:
Alex Opper (UJ): 072 438 09 09/alexo@uj.ac.za
Lorenzo Nassimbeni (UJ): 073 462 44 37/lorenzo@lorenzonassimbeni.com
*Image by Unit 1 student Kobus Marais, showing the 120 original drawings freshly installed in the GifA/BEC space at 274 Fox Street, Maboneng.
