Reference note: Ephemeral collectives as part of the course Drawing & Contemporary Practice III (3rd year) in
the collective/self-publishing and book arts course theme responding to the prompt Medu Art
Ensemble Newsletters and Posters in a Time of…
2023 Academic year, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits School of Arts, Department of Fine
Art, Johannesburg, South Africa
Course Coordinator: Rangoato Hlasane
Lecturers, Rangoato Hlasane, Tracey Rose and Francis Burger
The Drawing and Contemporary Practice III course is premised on the place and role of collective
publishing by artists as a principle that introduces students to art collectivities. Key outcomes important to the success of the course is for each collective to introduce and map their editorial
frameworks/provocations/manifestos/questions/positions/speculations…through their publications.
Intersecting the notion of letter writing as a technology of the past, present and future through the lens of the Medu Art Ensemble Newsletters and Posters, challenges students to deepen their editorial collectives centred around the mastery of publishing with the RISOgraph SF5030 to create beautiful, brave, inspiring and unique publications.
Exhibition notes: lo-fi street cred: artists’ zines, DIY and alternative publications
4 June – 30 August 2024
JGCBA
Keywords: South African, student publication, risograph