Introducing the International Public Art Festival (IPAF) ”“ Cape Town
SA’s first International Public Art Festival (IPAF), will be held in Cape Town this coming weekend until the 20th of February. The festival will bring art and art lovers out of the galleries and on to the streets like never before. In a taste of what is to come in February at Cape Town’s newest festival, two artists will this Sunday put on a live performance, making a 7m wide work of art in downtown Cape Town.
Art translates across all boundaries and requires no common language, class or religion. Street art often gives a voice to the voiceless, it can be an outlet to tell others about their pain and struggles as well as their joy and celebrations. With the power to bring together individuals from all walks of life and unite them around something which everyone can feel pride, fulfilment and joy.
IPAF is part of the mission of newly set up NPO Baz-Art to use art to brighten people’s lives in every way. The project goes beyond showcasing existing work to creating new work, allowing neighbourhoods to become more beautiful and safer, as well as teaching children how to be creative and stimulating new businesses and creating jobs. In a nutshell the aim is to harness the power and creativity of art to improve people’s lives.
In addition to IPAF, a festival dedicated to teaching, creating and showcasing street art, Baz Art is launching a variety of programmes, from art classes for children to beautifying neighbourhoods with large, well-maintained murals and helping entrepreneurs set up spin-off businesses such as food stalls, galleries or local tours.
The live graffiti painting will take place as part of Open Streets City Centre, which will see Bree and Longmarket streets closed to motorised traffic for the day on Sunday.
The Open Streets event is the latest in a series of street closures across Cape Town, from Langa to Bellville and Observatory to Mitchells Plain, designed to encourage residents to reclaim the streets as places to connect and commune.
The International Public Art Festival will be held in Cape Town from the 10th of February till the 20th of February 2017. Shelflife is proud to be supporting the local artists by supplying Montana Paint for the festival.
For more info check out IPAF