ZEITZ MOCAA: The Museum of Contemporary Art in Cape Town
| March 26, 2021 | He is nicknamed the African MoMa, he has been talked about in galleries around the world and from the top of its 9 floors, the Zeitz MOCAA was able to provoke a tsunami on the international artistic scene. With its breathtaking collection of contemporary committed artists from the African continent, the Zeitz Museum is also renowned for its unique architecture. Built on the old grain silos of the port of Cape Town, it strikes a balance between the duty to remember and the vision of the future communicated through the works of its young artists.
The Zeitz Museum: a work of art in itself
South Africa has recently become a must-see destination for Contemporary Art lovers. It is indeed in Cape Town that the Zeitz Museum of Comtempory Art Africa (MOCAA) opened its doors in October 2017.
This temple of modern African art is in itself a work of art. Nine floors dug in a huge grain silo of 42 concrete cylinders.
In the museum’s huge entrance hall, don’t forget to roll your eyes to observe the clean, exhilarating cut of the ancient cylinders that once were used to store grains of wheat. An architectural feat.
African artists in the spotlight
Proclaimed as the largest museum of Modern African Art, the Zeitz MOCAA marks a real upheaval in the world of Contemporary Art.
Only African artists or whose work is directly linked to the heritage and history of the continent, are exhibited in this museum building.
The very committed Zeitz MOCAA is also one of the first museums to offer a platform to young emerging artists. Exhibiting them in this new temple of Contemporary Art amounts to presenting them the greatest springboard for their international career.
The Zeitz MOCAA owes its name to a German Jochen Zeitz, a famous collector of modern African art who graciously lends his entire collection to the museum for an indefinite period.
Zeitz MOCAA: between duty of remembrance and renewal
It is no coincidence that this majestic museum has taken up residence in the southernmost city of Africa. The other smooth cities, Nairobi, Dakar and Lagos, had to bow to the city of Cape Town.
According to the curator of Zeitz MOCAA , the choice of South Africa stems from the unhappy past of this country. During apartheid, the majority of public museums were not accessible to everyone. As an institution, it was essential for the museum team to promote not only modern art that comes from Africa, but also its audience and thus give all Africans the opportunity to discover their own artistic production. A pride for many South Africans.
Beyond the cultural and artistic aspect, this museum also highlights the future of this continent. Visiting this multi-faceted place will amuse you, sometimes surprise you, and surely touch you.
Some practical information
Where is the Zeitz MOCAA located?
Zeitz MOCAA is located in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront district, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This formerly industrial area has been completely renovated to become one of Cape Town’s hippest and most vibrant areas.
Hours
The Zeitz Museum is open Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some evenings are organized once a month. Ask your travel agent for information South African Travellers .
Tickets: prices and offers
- R200 per adult, tickets available on Webtickets , valid for 7 days.
- Tickets are free for visitors under 18.
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