Sounds of August House
artist-in-residence at August House studio building, July till August 2025, Johannesburg (South Africa)
“In the east end of the inner city of Johannesburg, a former textiles factory undergoes a dramatic transformation to become, over the next several years, one of the city’s foremost artist’s studios“ (Kim Gurney, 2017)
During my stay at August House, I developed the conceptual framework for the ongoing film The Building – A Gritty Fairytale (2026), building on my research project Sounds of August House.
August House, a former industrial building in Johannesburg's inner city, has evolved into one of South Africa's most vibrant artist studio communities. My research reflects an ongoing engagement with the social, political, and historical dimensions of artist communities and the spaces they inhabit.
Working across film, sound, and photography, I captured personal narratives that intertwine with collective experiences. Moving between artistic and documentary storytelling, the project explores the building and its residents, revealing how collaborative creative practices foster resilience and belonging through creative processes.
August House stands as an example of the fragile balance between art, society, and urban transformation in current times.
Kim Gurney’s book August House is Dead, Long Live August House (2017) has become a companion in shaping the film, offering both historical depth and inspiration for my own perspective.
Impressions of a Space - August House Through my Lens
The following screenshots give inside to my explorations of the building | captured July 2025 as part of my Artist-In-Residence stay at August House.
The research was supported by Lower Austria Arts & Culture
with special thanks.
