PPC is a building cement company based in South Africa and sponsor of the annual PPC Imaginarium Competition.
This competition gives artists the opportunity to create innovative works within the following categories:
Architectural
Fashion
Film
Industrial Design
Jewellery
Sculpture
The artists have to use PPC concrete/cement in their creations, a medium that most have not used before and this is perhaps what makes this competition unique in many ways.
It suddenly puts the artists on a level playing field. PPC however also understood that along with the responsibility of supporting the arts came a responsibility to educate. Education came in the form of workshops offered to all participants during the coarse of the year leading up to the delivery date. So participants could attend workshops to learn how to work with PPC concrete/cement, what additives could be used, how to make molds and how to sculpt the medium.
Originally the competition was for sculpture only, but over the years the scope changed to include other categories, which I find both important and exciting. My view has always been that art is a term that most people apply to paintings, drawings, printing and sculpture, but should extend much further to include for example fashion, fabric, industrial design to name just a few.
Art is about creativity no matter what form it may take. Anything that inspires, informs or beautifies through a visual form is Art.
Overall winner of the 2018 PPC Imaginarium Awards, Chris Soal's Imposed Structure to the Detriment of the Members
Soal’s winning piece, entitled Imposed Structure to the Detriment of the Members, consists of cement cast into the shape of a deflated and scuffed soccer ball, through which a construction rebar has been forced. This sculpture lies on the floor, leaning up against the wall, as dejected, pierced and deflated as abandoned soccer balls often are.
The work speaks not only to the realities of growing up in a city environment, where soccer is played in the streets, on concrete and tar, but also to the relationship of soccer with South African industry. One example of this relationship is the 2010 FIFA World Cup. To this day, questions are posed regarding the event’s benefit for the country.
Winner in the Jewellery category, Aleks Ashton
Winner in the Fashion category, Gabrielle Foulis
Winner in the Industrial Design category, Giovanni Zambri
Images Souced From: http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/492/175730.html
https://www.facebook.com/PPCImaginarium/videos/2318255371521830/?t=42
My Thoughts:
Competitions are an important part of the artistic landscape. They give young or emerging artists an opportunity and a platform that they perhaps wouldn't normally have. It's so incredibly difficult for artists to get into the market and competitions offer that window. The problem however is that it's very difficult for the public to always understand the judging criteria. At times it's as simple as not knowing or understanding the technical difficulty of the medium or perhaps the concept of the work. This was my problem when attending the awards for PPC.
I admit, I don't know enough about concrete or cement as a medium to judge the difficulty level of the works and don't envy the judges work of trying to be objective when judging.
So if you're ever in attendance at a competition, take the time to read up before hand about the criteria and if possible speak to the judges or organizers to get as much info as possible. Judging is difficult and just because you or I don't get it doesn't mean the winners aren't deserving. If after all of that you still disagree, you have a right to your opnion and it's as valid as anyone else's. Just remember though to respect the winners, they did nothing wrong, so think before you speak. Critique is important, but if you have to give it be constructive when offering it. Give the winners the congratulations they deserve.
For more information on PPC and PPC Imaginarium:
https://www.ppcimaginarium.co.za