Munich/Johannesburg. An initiative by FNB Art Joburg and BMW Group South Africa, the BMW Young Collectors Co. was established in 2020 to develop a new generation of art collectors. Opening the BMW Young Collectors Co. programme to the public, The BMW Art Generation brings celebrated, established, and young artists, curators, and academics, from across the world together with collectors to shape, celebrate and protect the future of contemporary African art. Hosted at William Kentridge’s Centre for the Less Good Idea, The BMW Art Generation will give the public access to studios, performance art, live music and a boutique lifestyle market with stalls dedicated to demonstrating the very best in design and food and wine experiences.
The BMW Art Generation is a weekend event that will take place from 2-3 September 2023. It aims to immerse visitors in contemporary African culture through various interactive experiences.
The goal of The BMW Art Generation is to explore contemporary African art within the black intellectual tradition and create a space where art, history, and place intersect. The event seeks to foster innovation, community, and an Africa that sets standards for the global contemporary art ecosystem. The emphasis is on knowledge transfer from one generation to another, prioritizing access and inclusivity.
Johannesburg, the cultural capital of the African continent, is home to FNB Art Joburg, the longest running contemporary art fair in Africa. The BMW Art Generation, taking place in central Johannesburg, aims to reignite engagement and investment in the city as a hub for contemporary art.
The BMW Art Generation will bring together renowned individuals in the art world, including collectors, artists, and curators. Participants include American collector and radiologist, Dr. Joy Simmons; Founder and Director of the Lagos Photo Festival and the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF), Azu Nwagbogu; Princeton-based Nigerian artist and historian, Chika Okeke-Agulu; Swiss curator and director at the Serpentine Galleries, Hans Ulrich Obrist; and South African artist William Kentridge.
BMW Group South Africa has a long-standing commitment to supporting arts and culture and has engaged in over 100 cultural collaborations worldwide. The partnership with FNB Art Joburg is an important one, demonstrating BMW Group South Africa’s dedication to corporate cultural responsibility.
The BMW Young Collectors Co. is an initiative by FNB Art Joburg and BMW Group South Africa, established in 2020. It aims to develop a new generation of art collectors in Africa who will invest in and collect African art. This initiative fills a void in art collecting education and experience, particularly for younger generations. The majority of collectors in South Africa are older than 50 years old and lack diversity. The BMW Young Collectors Co. provides access to top artists, galleries, and art patrons, ensuring the growth of the African art economy for future generations.
FNB Art Joburg, based in Johannesburg, is the leading and longest running contemporary African art fair on the continent. It plays a significant role in developing and sustaining a commercial industry centered around African and diasporic practitioners. The fair is divided into six specialized sections: gallery HUB, gallery LAB, MAX, ETC, AUX, and ORG sections.
To learn more about the full programme, visit: Here is what to expect – A story by FNB Art Joburg
The BMW Art Generation will take place at the Centre for the Less Good Idea in Maboneng, Johannesburg, South Africa. Entrance tickets are required for the event, which spans from September 2-3, 2023. There will also be a VIP Opening on September 1, 2023, by invitation only.
To visit FNB Art Joburg, entrance tickets are also required. The event will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, from September 7-10, 2023. There will be a VIP Opening on September 7, 2023, by invitation only.