The Residency
[komposjaart = the Afrikaans word for the area on our farm where the decaying vegetable matter is stacked to become compost; compost yard]
i. Introduction
Ever since Kleinood became home to the De Villiers family, the farm has always welcomed and participated in moments of creative collaboration. The Komposjaart Residency is simply a natural progression of that philosophy.
Libby and Gerard alongside Heinrich, a curator friend, solidified their intention and started conceptualising the space sometime during the winter of 2017. It wasn’t long before plans to transform the old stables into an artist’s studio and residency were drawn up and the building process began.
The Komposjaart Residency is open to artists of all disciplines to work and live in for a period of two to six weeks at a time. We welcome visual, sculptural, ceramic and performance artists as well as theatre makers, architects, musicians, academics and writers. The residency allows for one artist at a time but can accommodate two under special circumstances. We are open to all nationalities and have Afrikaans, English, French and Italian speakers on the farm.
In essence, the Komposjaart is an artist-run space with no formal interference or involvement from the owners. We seek to support a free creative practice away from the hustle of city life, close to nature and away from distractions.
ii. The Curator
Meet Heinrich Groenewald, the Curator of Kleinood Komposjaart.
Meet Heinrich Groenewald, the curator of the Kleinood Komposjaart. He completed his studies in Fine Art, Sustainable Development and finally Curating at the Universities of Stellenbosch and Cape Town.
He holds a curatorial position at a reputable gallery, MOMO, in the city and will enable visiting artists to get to know the art world both in Cape Town and Stellenbosch.
With the owners, Heinrich will serve as your guide during your residency and will be available for discussions and support with your artistic endeavours, proposals and introductions to galleries, other artists and South African art events and opportunities. He will be able to provide practical things you may need for your practice in terms of materials, craftsmen, technical aids, setting up workshops and your media needs.
iii. The Residency
“We welcome musicians, visual, sculptural, ceramic and performance artists, as well as theatre-makers, architects, academics and writers.”
What you get.
The accommodation consists of a large studio space, a fully equipped kitchen area, separate bedroom and bathroom. The space is ideal for a single artist but could accommodate two people collaborating and prepared to share the bedroom and studio space. The private outdoor area boasts a view of the surrounding mountains, outdoor furniture and barbecue facility. The adjacent studio itself is a large open space equipped with storage racks, a basin, large open walls and plenty of natural light and large moveable tables.
What to give.
Artists are expected to keep and leave behind a diary of their stay and to donate one small artwork of any kind, genre or discipline in the form of a small archivable object or work.
Komposjaart Residency would like the farm to become a library of sorts, housing all of these works and ideas to become a living, developing manuscript of the knowledge and beauty created on Kleinood.
We provide.
Fresh bed linen and towels. Cleaning service on a weekly basis. Washing machine. Firewood. The use of a bicycle. Workshop tools. Free fresh produce growing on the farm. Printer and Internet connectivity.
iv. How to Apply
Online Application
Applicant Requirement
All applications sent to Heinrich Groenewald at heinewaldgroen@gmail.com.
Applicants have to be 25 years old or older. As the residency is situated in a rural area on a farm, all forms of medical disabilities have to be well considered before applying. The applicant would have to present valid travel and/or identity documentation on the application and on arrival. The applicant will have to present a Curriculum Vitae as well as a form of representation of her/his body of work up to date as well as a proposal of a planned body of work or research to be done during his/her stay at the residency. We have no preconceived ideas as to either of the above presentations. They will serve only to confirm the artistic integrity of the applicant.
The applicant should present a conceptual outline of a community-based workshop she/he proposes to execute. Again, we have no preferences as to the above in terms of age group, size of the group, time frame, social background or gender. It is the prerogative of the applicant to structure, execute and determine the outcome. We will ask for the sum of R1500.00 as a refundable deposit on acceptance as insurance against damage to property and to ensure the arrival of the said applicant in order to prevent other applicants from unnecessarily being shown away.
