As you step into the entryway of the Mount Nelson Hotel, located in the vibrant city of Cape Town, the unawareness of the city all around you is overtaken by the serene oasis of the hotel that feels untouched by the outside. The iconic pink exterior framed by the greenery gives way to an atmosphere of subtle elegance and timeless charm. Stepping into the lobby of the hotel, your senses get enveloped by the feeling of tranquillity and regency. The air carries a faint, soothing blend of floral scents, from the gardens that cascade beyond the windows, mingling with the hint of brewed coffee. The soft murmur of conversation is heard throughout the space, harmonising with the gentle clink of fine china from the nearby tea lounge.
There is sense of excitement surrounding the exhibition: An Endless Night (2023), curated by Anelisa Mangcu, the founder of Under the Aegis, in partnership with Investec Cape Town Art Fair. The display attracted visitors from all walks of life—seasoned art lovers, curious newcomers to the art world, and enthusiastic students like I was when I experienced this exhibition—all eager to immerse themselves in its enchantment. Some pause in the lobby, captivated by the ambiance, while others explore the halls, where the artworks unfold like a journey through dreams.
As you wander through the hotel, taking in the artwork on display, snippets of conversations about the pieces echo around every corner. The corridors come alive with the energy of art, fostering a sense of conviviality between the visitors and the hotel staff allowing timelines and experience to convolute. The exhibition’s central theme, time, weaves seamlessly through the experience, making the concept of time fade away as you lose yourself in the journey through the hotel.
In the catalogue of the exhibition, Anelisa Mangcu writes:
“Time is our scarcest resource. It is completely non-renewable. One thing humanity can all agree on is its intrinsic direction or order: past - present - future. How we experience time is not linear, because life is a subjective experience. What is similar is our desire to prolong our experience of time, and our attempt to find ourselves closer to a climactic moment in our narrative. We have a natural desire to extend the duration of anticipation, to linger and savour all the elements that go into the build-up of our lives, while acknowledging the detours and setbacks. It is this very experience that ties us together.”
The prolific artists that were showcased for the theme of time to resonate throughout the corridors were:
Ayogu Kinglsey
Anico Mostert
Buqaqawuli Thamani Nobakada
Chulumanco Feni
Kimathi Mafafo
Mary Sibande
Mongezi Gum
Nedia Were
Richard Templeton Smith
Shakil Solanki
Trevor Stuurman
Credits: Images by Dillon Marsh
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