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The Fordsburg Artists Studios (Bag Factory) presents:
‘The Theory of Flight’, a solo exhibition by Johan Thom
Dates: 18 July – 8 August 2007
Opening: Wednesday 18 July 2007 at 18h30
Venue: Fordsburg Artists Studios (Bag Factory), 10 Mahlatini Street, Fordsburg, Johannesburg
Contact: +27 11 834 9181
Bagfactoryart.org.za/exhibitions

‘The Theory of Flight’ is a single-channel video installation produced by Johan Thom whilst on residency in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2006. Later that year the installation was included in the First Architecture, Art and Landscape Biennale of the Canary Islands by curator Antonio Zaya. Now, for the first time, the work will be shown in the artists hometown, Johannesburg, South Africa.

‘The Theory of Flight’ is wry commentary on the failures and successes of humanity’s search for mental and spiritual enlightenment. A 10-minute video loop of the artist meditating in Buddhist pose is projected onto the physical installation (comprising a massive heap of soil from which two large glass plates protrude). To the viewer it seems as if they are in the presence of a ghostly apparition that floats above a mountain of soil. In the video loop the carcasses of recently slaughtered chickens and ducks progressively weigh down Thom’s arms until he can no longer bear their weight. Finally, in a desperate attempt to maintain his equilibrium, Thom attempts to fly, using his arms as wings. The soundtrack haunts as the sound of scavenging crows gathering nearby blends with that of the early morning traffic of Dhaka.

Through the kind assistance and support of the Fordsburg Artists Studios and a private patron the ‘Theory of Flight’ will be shown in South Africa for the first time.

This exhibition coincides with an intensive 4 day Workshop on performance art presented by Johan Thom that will culminate in a performance event/ exhibition to be held on the evening of the 8th of August at the Bag Factory Gallery Space. The workshop will be held on the weekends of the 28/29 July and the 4/5 July. Interested parties should contact the Bag Factory as soon as possible as there is only space for a maximum of 12 participants.

High resolution images available on request.
Related links:
http://www.youtube.com/thomjohan
http://www.art.co.za/johanthom
http://www.kagablog.com/contributors/johan-thom

Artist Bio:
Johan Thom (b1976) is a full-time artist resident at the Fordsburg Artists Studios, Johannesburg, South Africa. He often uses video, sound and performance to explore the close link between the human being, their socio-political and economic environment and spirituality. His works are often confrontational and darkly humorous, terrorizing our sense of space, order and stability.

Thom has shown and participated in numerous exhibitions and art-projects at venues such as the First Canary Island Biennale (2006), Belgrade International Theatre Festival (2006), the Britto Arts Trust in Bangladesh (2006), the Rotterdam Film Festival (2006), the Venice Biennale (2003 & 2005), the CRIC/Pro Helvetia residency program in Switzerland (2004/5), the Ampersand Fellowship in New York (2005), the International Computer Arts Festival in Slovenia (2004) and various other arts festivals and group exhibitions in South Africa. He is a regular contributor to publications on contemporary art such as ‘Art South Africa’. From 2001 - 2006 he lectured in African and South African art and contemporary critical theory at the Tshwane university of Technology before becoming a full time artist in 2007.