FIRST THURSDAYS and THIRD THURSDAYS- an ongoing evening art walk event. LUCINDA JOLLY reviews.
YOU may have noticed that once a month on Thursday evenings the buzz in Cape Town CBD ratchets up a notch. And it’s not just a sudden increase in the usual restaurant and bar vibe.
There is a sense of people out on the streets, reclaiming them regardless of the rain, the cold or the dark. This is quite a triumph considering the notoriously enclavish social habits of Capetonians compared to the reputedly more outward-going, inclusive Gautengers.
The reason is First Thursdays. No one seems to know why Thursday is the chosen day, but whatever the reason, it has been decreed that on the fourth day, once a month there is an open invitation to First Thursdays art walk. It’s an accessible, walkable, free event which provides an opportunity for Capetonians and buitelanders alike to visit at least 40 highlighted galleries and creative hubs that are normally flat- line after close of business.
They occur within a grid that spans Bree to Church streets and includes Buitensingel, Strand Street and Church Square. For galleries First Thursdays may not be a buyers’ market, but, by generating a relaxed interest and awareness, it stimulates the potential for later sales.
Do a profile of First Thursdays followers and you’ll find they range from early 20s to anyone who is still mobile. Devotees are known to hunt either in packs or in twos or even operate as lone predators and are active between the hours of 5.30pm and about 9pm.
They have been known to take time out from the chase for a drink at a nearby bar or even a meal. It’s a relaxed way of getting a culture injection without any discomfort – it’s equivalent to shopping at an open-air artisanal market rather being mauled by the mall.
At one exhibition I watched a group of young well-heeled, well- oiled professionals being called to order by their head girl type leader, who, armed with a map, was busy going through a prescribed list of venues.
Although there is no record of First Thursday’s original prime mover it is known to have its global roots in Europe, the US and North America. Cape Town’s version of First Thursdays was founded by Garth Pearson of Art Science Lab, who has a background in business strategy and an interest in cities and public spaces, and his business partner Michael Tymbios – both part of the Twentyfifty collaboration.
Pearson was sufficiently impressed to make it a possibility in Cape Town by a once-a-year event called Lange Nacht held in Zurich, when galleries and museums stay open late.
Later he was equally impressed by London’s First Thursday.
Cape Town’s First Thursday, launched in November two years ago, pulled in about 100 people which encouraged growing diversity, amplifying public life, and group urban economy.
But Pearson’s ultimate aim is that First Thursday becomes a self -driven, ritualised cultural event that takes place every Thursday.
He is currently experimenting with Third Thursdays, which started earlier this year too, and operates on the east side of Cape Town and includes Roeland and Buitenkant streets.
For those concerned about their safety, while there are no guarantees, traversing the night-time streets comes with both the protection of a greater density of people and the presence of CCID security forces who have been made aware of First Thursdays. And of course common sense.
The next First Thursday is on tomorrow and highlights Chad Rossouw’s exhibition The Planet’s Wake at Brundyn+. See you there.
l For information, see www.first-thursdays.co.za