Willem Boshoff: Word Woes

Online - December 21, 2021 - March 27, 2022








The artwork Tafelboek is part of this hybrid exhibition through this virtual engagement, in which we explore the artwork through videos. 


In the videos below, Willem Boshoff speaks to the making of two iconic sculptures from the 1970s, an era when he was one of a very few practising conceptual artists in South Africa. He astonishes viewers by combining his conceptual approach with highly complex sculptural forms, as in Tafelboek (1976-79) and Kubus (Cube, edition of 50, 1976 to 1982).    


Through this virtual engagement both works, Tafelboek and Kubus, are also explored in string quartet performances of  New Music composer Jaco Meyer's response to Boshoff's works. 




Willem Boshoff speaking to Tafelboek



Jaco Meyer, talking about the long-term dialogue between 
Willem as conceptual artist, and Jaco as conceptual composer.




The string quartet performance of Jaco Meyer's composition
in responseto the work Tafelboek




Willem Boshoff holding the small sculpture Cube in his hand
and speaking to its making




The string quartet performance of Jaco Meyer's composition
in response to the work Kubus(Cube)



Dr Jaco Meyer's (choir and instruments) performance of his musical interpretation of Willem Boshoff's famous 1980s volume of concrete poetry titled KYKAFRIKAANS

As a New Music composer Jaco Meyer was attracted to Boshoff’s conceptual approach.

Many compositions ensued, inspired by particular sculptural works by Boshoff, such as Tafelboek and Kubus, performed here as by the Novus String Quartet as  Imitationen – sketches after artworks by Willem Boshoff.