This past March photographer Zwelethu Mthethwa’s long-awaited, first comprehensive monograph was released by Aperture, the book spans many years of Zwelethu’s internationally celebrated career and portrays the urban and rural-industrial social landscape of South Africa. On the occasion of the book release, Zwelethu Mthethwa was joined by curator and dean of academic affairs of San Francisco Art Institute, Okwui Enwezor, in a conversation at the Aperture Gallery and Bookstore, at full capacity with well wishers, students, gallerists and fellow artists who’d come to hear this in-depth talk.

In this edited excerpt, Zwelethu Mthethwa presents his acclaimed portrait series, Interiors. Mthethwa shares his desire to create “a contemporary history” that portrays people in a humane light. Shooting primarily in the outer regions of Capetown for this series, Mthethwa paid special attention to the colorful decorations within his subjects homes and looked to show their beauty, dignity and resourcefulness despite the overcrowded living conditions of the outer-city. During their conversation, Okwui Enwezor and Zwelethu Mthethwa debate the role ethics play in the photographs and Mthethwa touches on the relationship he develops with his subjects, describing the shoot as “a difficult dance.”

View the talk in full here:

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Click here to purchase Zwelethu Mthethwa’s self-titled monograph

Copyright Zwelethu Mthethwa

The New York Armory Show and the many art events that coincide with it are nearly upon us! When planning your week, keep in mind these exciting events at the Aperture Foundation:

Zwelethu Mthethwa and Okwui Enwezor in Conversation

Tuesday, March 2nd, South African photographer Zwelethu Mthethwa will be talking at Aperture with internationally acclaimed curator Okwui Enwezor who contributed an essay to the long awaited self-titled monograph Zwelethu Mthethwa. The book’s editor Joanna Lehan will introduce their discussion.

Tuesday, March 2nd, 6:30PM
Aperture Gallery and Bookstore
547 West 27th street, 4th floor

Armory Brunch

Aperture will host an all day Armory brunch at the gallery and bookstore in honor of the week’s events. Aperture artists such as Zwelethu Mthetwa, Eirik Johnson, Joel Meyerowitz, Jacqueline Hassink, Matthew Montieth, Gillian Laub among others will be available to sign their books. There will be special offers on limited edition prints and more. Refreshments will be served.

Saturday, March 6th, 10:00 AM-1:00 pm
Aperture Gallery and Bookstore
547 West 27th Street, 4th floor

Aperture at the Armory Show

Be sure to visit Aperture at the Armory Show where the foundation will be featured in the publications area.

March 4th – 7th
Pier 92, Booth L16
55th street and Twelth Avenue

Aperture at PULSE New York

We will also be featured at this year’s PULSE Contemporary Art Fair in New York, booth P-6 will feature exclusive new limited-edition books and prints by such artists as Jowhara Alsaud, Barbara Crane, Robin Schwartz, Shadi Ghadirian, and many others.

March 4th – 7th                                                                                                                    Booth P-6 330 West Street
New York, New York

Kick off Armory Arts week at Aperture Foundation with South African artist Zwelethu Mthethwa in conversation with Okwui Enwezor on Tuesday, March 2nd and be sure to stop by our Brunch and Book Signing on Saturday morning on your way to visit The Armory 2010.

Aperture Presents: Zwelethu Mthethwa and Okwui Enwezor in Conversation

Aperture is honored to present a conversation between photographer Zwelethu Mthethwa and pioneering critic and curator Okwui Enwezor. The dialogue will take place Tuesday, March 2nd at Aperture in conjunction with the March 2010 publication of Mthethwa’s long-awaited first comprehensive monograph to which Enwezor contributes an essay. Introduction by editor Joanna Lehan. Book signing to follow.

Mthethwa documents a range of issues pertaining to South Africa-from domestic life and the environment to landscape and labor issues. His images challenge the conventions of both Western documentary work and African commercial studio photography, marking a transition away from the visually exotic and diseased-or “Afro-pessimism,” as Enwezor has referred to it-by employing a fresh approach marked by color and collaboration.

Zwelethu Mthethwa and Okwui Enwezor in Conversation
Tuesday, March 2, 6:30pm

Armory Brunch at Aperture Gallery

In celebration of this year’s Armory Show and the convening of artists, art patrons and art lovers from around the world, Aperture will be hosting an all day Armory brunch. The event will include appearances by Aperture artists-including Zwelethu Mthethwa, Eirik Johnson, Jacqueline Hassink, Joel Meyerwitz, Matthew Montieth, Gillian Laub among others, who will be available to sign their books. There will be special offers on Aperture books, limited-edition prints and more. Come mingle with friends and colleagues. Refreshments will be served.

Armory Brunch
Saturday, March 6, 10:00AM – 1:00PM

Aperture Gallery
547 West 27th Street, 4th floor
New York, New York

Aperture at The Armory

And finally, be sure to visit Aperture’s Armory Show booth, where Aperture magazine will be featured in the publications area.

Aperture at the Armory Show
March 4th – 7th
Pier 92, Booth L16
55 street and Twelfth Avenue
New York, New York