RASA / Q.STUDIO
Breathe, Breeze and Winged Things
Co-creative exhibition for small and big people
The breath of life is carried by the wind. The breeze and the wind carry the stories of our South African people. uMoya refers to the breath of life, the unseen force that connects all living things.* We all cherish the soaring dream of flite. With arms outstretched and fluttering, our imagination is what enables us to escape gravity effortlessly.
These are the themes that inspired RASA to create Breathe, Breeze and Winged Things for Solo Studios 2024.
COME AND SEE the exhibition with works of twelve excellent visual artists of differing disciplines: Ledelle Moe, Yael Davids, Johan Tahon, Karen Stander, Sonja Rademeyer, Mary Walker, Greta McMahon, Amy Rusch, Aldo Brincat, Edward Curtis, Emma Willemse, Luan Nel, Yoko Reijn, Virginia Mackenny
ENJOY the playful poetic mobile made by the children of the RASA Art Class and you. Yes! This exhibition is a co-creative event where you are invited to watch with all your senses and – if you like – to participate in the creation and connect with the artists and the Rasa team.
RASA
Art connects
Beauty, art, artists and children, a disarming experience
RASA stands for a holistic way of bringing children into contact with art. All children, including our children in the Riebeek Valley rarely get a chance to engage with culture. Together with artists and children we weave story lines in visual art, dance, storytelling and music.
Art touches the essence of humanity. Art is never indifferent. An encounter with art can only be through dialogue, art does not coerce. Art does not tell you what to see or what to experience. Only how you might go about it. Art provokes questions and offers reflections – of oneself, the other, the world. Art has the power to heal, transform and connect people. The earlier we receive these values, the stronger they take root within our existence.
Rasa stands for artistic quality and strives to create an inclusive and gentle approach where every voice is heard.
Nonprofit Rasa has Belgian beginnings and has pioneered art-education over the past three decades. Collaborating with leading artists, art museums and cultural locations in Europe, RASA has curated specifically for a young public. In 2021 Rasa found a new home on the slopes of the Kasteelberg in The Riebeek Valley. Drawing on her experience, founding Mother Gerd Dierckx and a group of artists and enthusiastic volunteers initiate diverse weekly artistic and lasting activities for children in order to create joy and stimulate social change.
RASA offers
Art Classes
From a fresh, stimulating and well-equipped Art Room at Riebeek West Primary School, RASA artists gently share creative skills and techniques with the children. Weekly workshops start with music and meditation and a talking stick exchange.
Storytelling
Slowly our littlest creative minds are introduced to favourite stories, poems and pictures. Eyes wide, enraptured children are encouraged to explore the wonder of their inner worlds and to begin their creative journey.
Dance collaborations
Annually, the well-established JazzArt Dance Company of Cape Town and RASA collaborate to bring the art of dance to our young creatives. Six professional dancers work with our children to create exciting choreographic experiences.
Exhibitions
Introducing children to galleries and other cultural sites is integral to the RASA process. Visiting the Norval Foundation and Artscape and our 2024 exhibition BREATHE BREEZE & WINGED THINGS are highlights of our teaching year.
Educational resources
ART BOXES
Art Boxes are themed educational suitcases for teachers and students. Each case contains a workbook detailing the approach, a picture game and a set of philosophical questions, together with some objects to stimulate ideas related to the theme.
LIBRARY
RASA has a fine library of children’s and art books. Writers and poets from South Africa and abroad are invited to come and work together around their children’s books.
Publications – Eyes for Art by Gerd Dierckx
This book offers inspiration to anyone who wants to embark on the adventure of experiencing art with children. EYES FOR ART reveals the specific working method of Rasa, gives children a voice and invites each of us to approach art differently.
EYES FOR ART is available for R250 with the proceeds going 100% to the project.
Support us or join us as a volunteer!
Contact:
Gerd Dierckx: gerd@rasa.be
Julita Makus Kahn: julita@rasa.be
For more info, visit our website: www.rasa.be
Event details
PLACE: The sports pavilion of The Riebeek Kasteel Primary School. Find the entrance in Hermon Road
CURATION: Quentin Du Plooy and Gerd Dierckx
IMPLEMENTATION: Rasa team Riebeek
COLLABORATION: students of University of Stellenbosch: Fine Arts department
SUPPORT US: All our activities are offered free of charge. You can support us buying the book ‘Eyes for Art’ or by purchasing one of the art works.
* Thanks to Londolozi Blog