A lecturer in the Design Department is among a talented group of Capetonians whose artworks have been selected for an exceptional exhibition at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa​.

Home is Where the Art is, an exhibition by and for Capetonians, features the work of Milia Khoury, a lecturer and researcher in Art & Design Theory.

The group exhibition of more than 1 600 artworks includes the art of children, professional and amateur artists, collectors, and others from across Cape Town and was assembled through an open submission process.

Khoury said it was an unprecedented move by the museum, after months of closure due to Covid-19, to put out an open call to locals to submit work for exhibition.

“I took a chance and submitted my work as I realised I had nothing to lose.”

The submission process consisted of two-steps – an online submission where after artists were requested to physically drop off works.

Khoury said she was astounded and pleased when she arrived at the museum to drop off her work and was told that it had already been approved.

“The artwork selected is a triptych of three cyanotypes produced in 2018. I have been captivated by the blue colour of the cyanotype print process for some time, as it is an early form of photography that is part chemistry, alchemy and magic.”

The triptych is entitled The Bothersome Beauty I, II, III.

She said the way the exhibition was conceptualised and installed s a breakaway from the clinical "white cube" gallery spaces of the last century.

Khoury remembers showing creative ability from a young age.

“In 1998 to 1999 I did an orientation course and Foundation Studies in Art and Design at the prestigious Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design in London. This was my first formal art training.”

She then completed a BA degree in Fine Art at Michaelis School of Fine Art (University of Cape Town) in 2003 and a Master’s in Philosophy in Fine Art in 2008.

“The central themes in my art practice has focused around notions of displacement, exile and belonging dealing with my hybrid identity of being South African-born of Lebanese descent.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Academics from the Design Department participated in the recent World Interaction Design Day (IXDD) - an annual event which highlights how interaction design improves the human condition. 

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s edition of IXDD took the form of regional livestreams from around the world. The theme was Culture and Sustainability and three staff members in the Design Department, Bruce Snaddon, Dr Vikki Eriksson and Wayne Coughlan were involved.

“I am always finding ways to connect industry with design education and believe this was an opportunity to give exposure to the CPUT brand on a global stage. Last year we ran a physical IXDD event where students from the CPUT Design Department shared the stage with Interaction Design industry speakers,” said Coughlan.

Coughlan, a lecturer in the Visual Communication Design programme and the Africa & Middle East regional co-ordinator for the IxDA (Interaction Design Association), said his responsibilities included co-ordinating speakers, discussion groups and creating the content for the IXDD. 

He said IxDA Cape Town, Cumulus and CPUT teamed up for Cumulus P-R-E (Practitioners, Researchers and Educators) Day for IXDD. Erikkson chaired a Practitioners, Researchers and Educators discussion panel while Snaddon, among other things, chaired a panel discussion on the topic of Culture and  Sustainability.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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