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7/5/2004

Franci Cronje'

The Premises Gallery, Johannesburg

About Guilt

Opening on saturday, may 8, 5pm – 8pm

cash bar
the exhibition closes on saturday ,may 29

artist statement:
‘Kinders word gebore en is geneig tot alle kwaad.’
[Children are born and are inclined to all evil.]

It is with these words that Calvinist children are inducted into baptism. And it is these words that determine the religious life of all Calvinists. Calvinist women, in particular, are conditioned to be obedient, firstly, to Almighty God, and, secondly, to their husbands. Calvinist society expects women to practise unconditional obedience - from the cradle to the grave. Guilt is the consequence of any (unavoidable) defiance or insubordination. One may exert control over other human beings either by applying physical force or by using emotional manipulation. Since one should not use physical violence as a Christian (reserving that only for one’s enemies), one can only control one’s children by instilling ‘the fear of God’ into them. The road to the Calvinist heaven is therefore signposted by shame and guilt. There is always something to be ashamed about. Even the purest of thoughts is still human - and therefore tainted. In addition, women, like children, should be seen and not heard.

The video work ‘Power Paradox’ evolved from an art performance event. During this event, nine prominent male members of society agreed to eat ten dishes, each exquisitely prepared by master chefs. Each male was assigned a female to feed him. However, the dishes were not always what each individual might have chosen. Thus what should have been a meal fit for a king, became an event that strangely mixed pleasure and revulsion - physical, mental, and sexual. Every action and reaction of the eaters was duly recorded and exhibited for the delectation of a voyeuristic audience.

In this piece I explore the power dynamics that prevail between males and females, dynamics that begin at birth and that are influenced by various societal modes such as religion, and social and family status. It shows how women equip themselves to cope with the seemingly overpowering presence and strength of men, and how they create concealed modes of authority within the socially accepted structures that are visible on the surface.

But any such power comes at a price. Whenever women try to obtain for themselves a place in society, they become victims of guilt. There is no way to escape one’s upbringing. A woman’s enculturation conditions her whole life, permeates all her thinking, and influences all her hopes for liberation.

In this exhibition, I investigate the concepts of guilt, collective propriety, and those elements in my personal societal milieu that create complexities and the various forms of obligation that exist in personal relationships.

biography

Franci Cronjé has been a photographer since 1980. She worked on a full time basis for the SABC, Panorama Magazine and Technikon Pretoria.
Over a number of years, she has also freelanced for a number of publications, such as Sarie, Garden and Home and SA Interior design.
She has also worked as television filmmaker, producing and directing inserts for 50/50, Ecovision, Grab, and Let’s Go.
In 1997, she enrolled for a BA Fine arts degree at the University of Pretoria, and completed it in 2000.
She is currently studying for a Master’s Degree in Fine Art under Jo Ractliffe of Wits University, with a dissertation entitled ‘The problems regarding New Media in South African Public Collections’, to be completed in May 2004.
She has participated in the Sasol New Signatures exhibition in 1997, 2000 and 2001, the 100xC month of photography in Cape Town in 1999 and various smaller exhibitions in Pretoria from 1997. She co-curated the Invincibles exhibition at the State Theatre Art Gallery in 1999, as well as curating ‘Femina 2001’ at the Association for the Arts, Pretoria, as a celebration of National Womens’ Day, August 9th.
She curated the ‘Lowther Technologies Ceremonial Dinner Revelry’, an unique art happening performed at the Association of Arts, Pretoria, 11 July 02, followed by an exhibition coinciding with International Womens’ day in August, while she also acted as Chair for the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition in 2002.
More recently she has focused all her creative energy in the field of New Media, with a specific interest in digital video, installations, and performance events.
She is married with three children and lives in Pretoria.

Gallery hours:
Tuesday - Saturday, 12pm - 8pm

For more information, please contact:
Michael MacGarry (gallery manager)
tel: 011 877 6859

Physical Address:
The Premises Gallery
Braamfontein Theatre Precinct
Johannesburg Civic Theatre
Braamfontein

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