Africa’s greatest tattoo event, Southern Ink Xposure 2010 (SIX 2010) kicks off at the Cape Town International Convention Centre this month and will feature not only world class international and local artists, but also an exciting range of vendors.
More than 60 artists from a range of countries, including South Africa, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Italy and the USA, will demonstrate their talents – and celebrate the world of tattoos in Africa – at the conference.
SIX 2010 will be open to the public from 22 to 24 January, when more than 3000 people pass through the doors of the convention centre to watch the tattoo artists work their magic on the SA public. Giant AV screens will broadcast live events such as competitions, videos and convention images.
Other events include:
- The “Hearts’’ exhibition will take place in the Spin Gallery, Vansa offices, at 9 Spin Street from January 19 to 24. A select group of international and local artists were given pre-cast, anatomically-correct hearts by curator Manuela Gray, and given the brief to create a work of art in any way they see fit.
- The Body of Work Exhibition explores body art in a range of mediums, with the emphasis on the tattoo in a socio-cultural context and as a contemporary art form. The two-week exhibition will open at the Spin Gallery on Tuesday, 19 January. Co-curated by Manuela Gray and Chantel Louw, the gallery exhibit features artworks by some of South Africa’s most exciting artists, including Conrad Botes, Tracey Derrick, Sannell Aggenback, Antonias Steyn, David Lune, Dan Halter, Manuela Gray and Alex Hamilton.
- Attendees can also take part in a tour of the Cape Peninsula, a wine route trip or take to Gansbaai for a shark cage diving experience.
- On Thursday, 21 January, there will be an Artist Meet and Greet session at Anton Anreith Square, outside the Circa Hotel. This event is aimed at giving international guests a taste of South African hospitality in the form of a traditional braai, as well as a chance to meet local artists, event organizers and sponsors. Guest musicians Lonesome Dave Ferguson and Them Tornadoes will be doing unplugged sets.
- Friday 22 January will be the official SIX 2010 Concert Night at The Mercury Live and will include bands like Great Ape, Jack Parow, Ragdolls and Throatball.
- The second concert night,”Man’s Ruin’’ at The Assembly on Saturday 23, will feature Damn Right, the Mochines, Them Tornadoes and the Rudimentals. There will also be a special performance by the Black Orchid Burlesque Group. The After Party will be held on Sunday 24 at the Camps Bay Sports Club.
The following shops are selling tickets to the event: In Johannesburg: Spooky Tattoonz and Tattoolya. In Cape Town: Wildfire Tattoos (Canal Walk), Wildfire Tattoos (Long Street), Metal Machine (Shortmarket Street) and Sins of Style (Bree Street). Tickets are R120 for a Day Pass and R250 for a VIP pass (includes concert nights). For more information visit: www.capetattooconvention.co.za
