Cape Town Celebrates Chinese New Year with “Five Dragons” Screening

Cape Town, a city nestled between the convergence of Atlantic and Indian oceans, is experiencing a unique cultural conflation as the Year of the Dragon unfolds. In a celebratory gesture reverberating with the deep tones of cross-cultural dialogue, the K.T. Wong Foundation in partnership with the Iziko South African National Gallery charts an auspicious course into 2024's vibrant mosaic. They invite Capetonians and visitors to a special, public screening of the lauded multimedia artwork "Five Dragons" by China’s acclaimed contemporary artist, Yang Yongliang (YYL).

The event, set for Saturday, February 10, echoes with the metaphysical enchantment of the dragon, an emblem of potent opportunities and transformations as per Chinese astrological readings. The dragon, much more than a mythical spectacle, incarnates in fairytales, folklore, and now, in Yongliang's canvas of modernity juxtaposed against traditional nuances. The choice of this piece deliberate, insightful, aimed at ushering an era of artistic exploration as well as an intimate reacquaintance with narratives spanning continents.

Lady Linda Wong-Davies, the imaginative force behind the K.T. Wong Foundation, conceived this foundation to be the bridge connecting the rich artistic landscapes of East and West. Established in 2008, the foundation's purpose has been the celebration and keen proliferation of mutual cultural understanding. Its reach stretching over South Africa, the UK, Europe, and China has rendered it an instrumental part in celebrating and fostering intercultural dialogues between Africa's vibrant arts scene and China's unique cultural heritage, often cloaked in mystique to western eyes.

The "Five Dragons" screening stands as both an invitation and a statement — an assertion of synergy between Asian and African perspectives especially in the realm of artistic representations of landscape. As the embodiment of modern flair and ancient lore, the screening endeavors not just to entertain but to enlighten, inciting thoughts on cultural histories amongst South African audiences.

At the gallery, custodian of this visual symphony, gratitude meets the ambition of this cultural exchange, as expressed by chief curator Andrew Lamprecht. The exhibition looks forward to reshaping the meaning and imagery of Africa beyond the worn narratives and worn imagery often associated with the continent while engaging with the history-rich tapestry of China.

Further elevating the screening's significance, the "Five Dragons" ties into the K.T. Wong Foundation's “Marvellous Realism” art exhibition. A curated dialogue of African photographic artwork, projected to make its journey to Shanghai later in the year, aims to reorient perspectives and uncover layers of meaning about Africa beyond the generic.

And the dragon itself? Long pedestaled as water gods in traditional Chinese ethos, their role has been to oversee the ocean and care for the ecology, a parallel perhaps, to the foundation's mission to oversee and care for the fusion of cultures. With a focus to revive these celestial beings through a medium of self-interpretation and reflection, "Five Dragons" challenges the status quo, proposing an uncharted narrative.

In the shadow of the Southern Song Dynasty and Chen Rong’s traditional depictions, YYL’s masterwork pulsates with life—a natural tableau home to five dragons whose fates remain unwritten. The convergence of vibrant, contemporary artistic flair with the subtle strokes of tradition promises those who attend an illumination of thought and senses.

The occasion promises more than a cultural emissary—it represents the embodiment of foresight, abundance, and prosperity that the Wood Dragon year is anticipated to deliver. 2024 is not just about the manifestation of ancient mythology but is infused with the color red, exuding vibrancy and the lure of good fortune—a palette capably expressed in YYL's "Five Dragons."

As Cape Town stands poised on the cusp of vibrant cultural exchange, art aficionados and curious minds are beckoned to embrace the auspicious Year of the Dragon at this special screening. The event details are uncomplicated and welcoming:

Where: Iziko South African National Gallery

When: Saturday, February 10, at 2pm

Cost: Free, promoting accessible cultural enrichment

The buzz of cultural confluence that this event represents is anticipated to leave an indelible mark on the ongoing narrative of international artistic collaboration, reverberating long past the rhythmic clicks of dragon dances and the departure of this thrilling Year of the Dragon.