Vaughn Sadie | Research Trip

August 2023 — Visual Arts

South African artist and curator Vaughn Sadie will undertake a research trip in various cities in Switzerland from 1-8 August 2023 to deepen his knowledge of the Swiss light art field.

Vaughn is co-curator of Spier Light Art (SLA), South Africa’s leading light festival hosted annually at the historical Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch. With the intention of introducing more international artists into the curated programme, the curators have designed a residency programme with Spier and the Institute for Creative Arts to support international artists to develop site-specific work for the festival that respond to the curatorial themes and the context of the working farm.

The aim of Vaughn’s research trip is to develop a critical understanding of the light art field in Switzerland and deeper knowledge of the range of practitioners that work with light. This will inform the curatorial and selection process of Swiss artists to invite to participate in the SLA residency programme over the next three years.

BIOGRAPHY

Vaughn Sadie is a conceptual artist, educator, and researcher, living and working in Cape Town (South Africa). Vaughn is currently registered in the PhD Programme at the Urban Futures Centre at the Durban University of Technology. His PhD is focused on understanding the implication of community-led cultural programming on the governance arrangements in the Arts and Culture and Culture sector, through the application of a nodal governance framework. Vaughn currently works at the African Centre for Cities as a researcher. As an established artist, Vaughn’s practice explores a range of interests, interdisciplinary and participatory practices and the place of art in various social contexts. In response, he has developed a considered practice that reflects on the relationship between everyday infrastructure and people. Through employing site-specific strategies and participatory practices, Vaughn has designed collaborative projects with choreographers, theatre-makers and residents to develop alternative ways of perceiving and engaging with a city. Vaughn is co-curator of Spier Light Art and alongside theatre-maker Neil Coppen, co-founded Karoo Kaarte (supported by the KKNK) in collaboration with a community of Oudtshoorn based arts practitioners.