THE PHOTOGRAPHY TO INSPIRE EXHIBITION
Financed BY Dr SIKUTWA'S GROUP OF COMPANIES
The Lusaka National Museum has been transformed by the twenty four, 3 metre by 4.5 metre prints. The ambience has been changed to become so welcoming that the venue has been hired by the European Union for the launch of Art initiatives and even for pubic weddings.
The LSA Group of Companies is proudly sponsoring the First Photographic Exhibition to be held at the National Museum in Lusaka. The Exhibition is featuring a selection of photographs from the Madison Calendar to celebrate the tenth year of it’s production. Madison has always been a supporter of the Arts in Zambia, influenced by it’s CEO Dr Sikutwa, who himself has a fine collection of works by Zambian Artists. The display format follows that of the successful Gursky Exhibition at the Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, London. We now have the technology in Zambia to equal the best that Europe can offer. This Exhibition has also been supported by New Horizon Printing Press. Their expertise and investment has markedly changed the standards of the printing industry in Zambia.
The Arts as an Engine for Economic Growth
Art is part of our lives but is often not recognised nor appreciated. In industry the design of a product will affect the sales potential and profitability of the company. The sound of a song will make it popular or not. The way a company works with a graphic designer will position that company in it’s market place. Using quality photographs in an Annual Report can change the perception of that company or NGO in the eyes of its shareholders or donors. Good marketing is related primarily to good photographs, the better the picture the better the sales potential. The Madison Calendar has now become a collectors item and is in great demand from all over Zambia. It reflects the quality of the company that has commissioned it, consequently the print run has increased every year. It is considered by the Company as a powerful marketing tool as it reaches the best offices in Zambia and stays on the wall selling the brand for a year.
The Lechwe Gallery in Rhodes Park displays the rich history of talented Zambian Artists and illustrates how Art is developing rapidly in Zambia. The Start Foundation plays an important role for contemporary Artists.
The Henry Tayali Visual Arts Centre in the Showgrounds seems underfunded but often surprises the visitor.
Zambia’s landscape has room to promote the growth of this industry through Art exhibitions and galleries. The old Lusaka Power station, like many redundant power stations around the world, could be turned
into an exciting central Arts Gallery with ease of parking through the Levi Shopping Mall car park area. A window of opportunity awaits to build the livelihoods of our talented Artists and promote Zambia as a cultural destination. The listed National Milling Building in Cairo Road also has possibilities.
A Message to Zambian Artists
The Artists of Zambia, whether you are a fine artist, a sculptor, a photographer, a film maker, an architect or a designer; you have chosen to pursue your passion. You have placed yourselves amongst the creatives, the dreamers and the game changers. The artist of the future is the visionary, the person who holds the potential of a cultural landscape in the palm of his or her hands – don’t waste your talent – it’s vital because art feeds our eyes, our ears, our senses, our brains and our hearts. Art changes us and teaches us who we are. It transforms places and people. It teaches us to play, to love, to cry, and to think. The creative arts are not luxuries or diversions, they are the hallmark of a civilized society.
The creatives are the arbiters of change – you have the ability to make art so make art that matters, art that is frivolous, that edifies, that baffles and amuses. It is through creative development that we learn to be interesting unique humans. You will know when you are a true artist or true creative because that is when you can make someone feel something profound and surprising – and how exciting is that.
(An adaptation from part of the Chancellor of Falmouth University, Dawn French’s speech)
About the Copyright Law in Zambia
The Copyright and Performance Rights Act became Zambian Law in 1994. It states that original work by artists is copyrighted, that means it cannot be reproduced without the authors written permission. If for instance a painting, photograph, or an architect’s drawing is reproduced without written consent then a fee can be demanded, with the backing of Zambia’s Judicial System. Often, artists are not in full time employment so these rights have been put in place internationally to encourage creativity. This Law is therefore in place to protect artists.