ACTUALITÉS

ICTAF 2025 SOLO

21 - 23 Février 2025

INVESTEC CAPE TOWN ART FAIR

SOLY CISSÉ

“PLAYSCAPES: Shaping Worlds and Selves”

 

Curatorial Statement by Céline Seror

 

Galerie Marion Chauvy Booth c8

 

In the arts, play emerges as a subject that intersects with historical, sociological, and cultural dimensions. From prehistoric cave paintings that reveal the early human engagement with play to the West African masquerades affirming the role of play in social and spiritual life or the dreamlike imaginings of the Surrealists in the 20th century, numerous artists have dealt with play as a mode of expression and a philosophical approach.

Over time, play has also served as a cultural lens through which artists navigate identity, memory, and societal norms, used as a tool to challenge established power structures or question dominant narratives. Today, the subject of play is reflected in our ever-evolving relationship with technology. Works exploring virtual universes, interactive installations, or participatory performances illustrate the changing nature of play in a technologically driven world, where the boundaries between reality and simulation blur

In 2025, SOLO aims to explore the diverse ways in which contemporary artists engage with the subject of play through whimsical experimentation, imaginative inquiry, and profound exploration. Whether drawing on historical paradigms or reflecting on contemporary realities, this curated section of the fair embraces the transformative possibilities of play and its capacity to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world we inhabit