Jane Alexander: Surveys (from the Cape of Good Hope)
Wednesday, April 17 - July 29, 2013
Due to events in the Cathedral, there will be limited access to the exhibition on Saturday, May 18; Tuesday, May 21; and Wednesday, May 22. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Regular Hours:
Installations located in the Chapels in East End of Cathedral open Monday through Saturday 9 am - 5 pm or as noted; open Sunday 1 - 3 pm.
Outdoor installation located in North Transept open Monday - Friday 9:30 am to 2:30 pm; Saturday - Sunday 1 - 6 pm.
Post-Conversion Syndrome (in captivity), 2003
Surveys (from the Cape of Good Hope) is the first major North American survey of tableaux, sculptures, and photomontages by important South African artist Jane Alexander. Her artwork speaks of lasting disfigurations in her native South Africa, yet raises issues about human nature that resonate with viewers internationally. This site-specific exhibition at the Cathedral allows audiences to experience the familiarity and mutability of Alexander's universe.
Jane Alexander: Surveys (from the Cape of Good Hope) is organized by the Museum for African Art, New York, and presented in collaboration with the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The exhibition is supported, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts and Macy's.
Click here to watch a video of curator Pep Subirós' thoughts on the exhibition and its interplay with the Cathedral's architecture.
For more information and images from the exhibition, visit the Museum for African Art's website.
In conjunction with Surveys (from the Cape of Good Hope), the Cathedral offers a range of interactive programs, tours and children's workshops. For more information on events and programs for children and familes, please click here.
Curator-Led Public Dialogue
Saturday, April 20, 3 pm
Pep Subirós, guest curator, will lead a discussion in Saint James' Chapel about the overall exhibition, the social and artistic influences of Jane Alexander's art, and the larger implications of socially-responsive contemporary African art. This discussion is free; to RSVP, please email events@africanart.org.
Allegory: An Animal Story Workshop
Saturday, April 27,10 am
In support of the exhibition Jane Alexander: Surveys (from the Cape of Good Hope), children and their caretakers are invited to explore the ways that animals are used to tell stories. In this special program, participants will explore contemporary art work in the Cathedral which will inspire them to design animal flip-books, to sculpt clay creatures, and to construct animal masks. Recommended for ages 4 and up. $8 per child, with accompanying adult. Reservations can be made by calling (212) 932-7347.
Surveys (from the Cape of Good Hope): Spotlight on the Exhibition
Select Saturdays: April 20, May 25, and July 6, 10 am
June 22 and July 27, 3 pm
Participate in a one-hour, staff-led discussion of the Cathedral's contemporary art exhibition Jane Alexander: Surveys (from the Cape of Good Hope). During these guided tours, visitors will engage in lively conversations about Jane Alexander's installations, sculptures, and photomontages, and the architecture of the Cathedral that compose this site-specific exhibition. $10 per person, $8 per student/senior. Click here to purchase tickets, or call (866) 811-4111 (additional service charges may apply).
Scenes & Stories: A Tableau Workshop for Families
Saturdays, April 27, May 4, May 18, 2 pm
Sunday, May 12, 1 pm
A tableau is an arrangement or scene of figures, models and media that conveys a story or message. It can be created using many different art mediums. Using the art of Jane Alexander as inspiration, come and create your own tableau that tells a story about your family, friends, and the place where you live. $8 per child, with accompanying adult.
Close Reading: Spotlight on Cathedral Arts is an ongoing series highlighting art at the Cathedral through a range of exhibitions, programs, and focused educational initiatives. Its mission is twofold: to foster appreciation for and understanding of cathedral arts, in general, and, specifically, the distinctive art and architecture of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and to present arts programming and creative partnerships that expand and enrich the Cathedral’s social, civic, and cultural offerings.
Past and Traveling Exhibitions
