IPAF, the 4th International Public Art Festival, takes place in Salt River, Cape Town from 12 to 16 February, 2020, under the theme Digitalisation. The free outdoor showcase acts as the opening of Art Month in Cape Town.

An initiative by NGO BAZ-ART, it airs the best local and international mural artists. Adding to the 100 murals already painted, artists will create giant artworks on walls in Salt River for the benefit of the community and visitors to enjoy and learn about.

Expect bold, colourful artworks at IPAF 2020 in Salt River Woodstock
Expect bold, colourful artworks at IPAF 2020 in Salt River Woodstock

Arty launchpad 

The festival will be the launchpad for a number of programmes, including community gardens, art classes for children, support for spin-off businesses and other interventions aimed at community upliftment.

IPAF provides a platform for the public to come and see art while it also connects international and local artists with communities in a meaningful and interactive way.

Guided mural tours in Salt River

The IPAF 2020 theme represents a focus on an age where new technology and the advent of digitalisation have completely transformed life as we know it. Thus, posing the question – can you live without your phone, tablet or laptop? And if you don’t have one, do you feel excluded from society?

The organisers aim to spark dialogue and create awareness about the potential opportunities and obstacles digitalisation may hold for us in the near future. The approach being to incorporate classic and contemporary mediums, styles and methods of art with the digital applications. Digital art, such as 3D virtual reality (VR) or computer graphic techniques alongside traditional muralism will be featured.

Organiser of the International Public art Festival (IPAF), Alexandre Tilmans, believes that “educating present and future generations, promoting dialogue and collaboration and empowering individuals and communities through public art can help promote positive change and attitudes”.

Recognising this, the artists participating in IPAF 2020 will use walls and public spaces to visually reinforce messages around the theme for their bold, large, colourful and insightful artworks.

There will be guided tours and workshops, so get out and see artists in action as they produce their works.

What: International Public art Festival IPAF 2020
Where: Salt River Cape Town
When: 12 to 16 February 2020
Web: www.ipafest.co.za, http://baz-art.co.za/
WS