CAPE TOWN: “Christian Dauriac has produced a work of art,” says artist Zavick Zaroff Botha who in conjunction with Marianne, the premier French Wine estate in Africa, and Franck Malassigne, has created a startling new piece that will be forever associated with the estate’s 2004 Pinotage.
The Marianne Pinotage won an award at the ABSA Top 10 Pinotage ceremony held at Cape Town’s Castle on Thursday, March 6 2008. The award, sponsored by the Pinotage Association in conjunction with ABSA, saw Zavick’s original artwork commended for its innovative interpretation of the wine-making process.
The collaboration is a natural development for Botha, who stumbled upon the vineyard in 2007. “I could taste the fullness of the berries and Mr Duriac explained that they were 100% Pinotage. I immediately fell in love with the estate.” Zavick believes he has captured the very essence of Marianne in a select artwork produced exclusively for Mr Duriac.
“The artwork incorporates various elements of the 2004 Pinotage. For example, there is the cork and steel used in the manufacture of the wine. The actual rouge colour, left by the Pinotage is clearly visible, as is Mr Duriac’s thumbprint,” says Zavick of an art form he calls quiltage.
“The piece was conveyed to the ceremony as one of Marianne’s products, and assembled on site. The experience has allowed Mr Duriac to leave his mark on my artwork.” A pair of embroided black gloves were also used in the installation and the entire process documented for curatorial purposes.
Zavick has works in various private collections around the world and there are four pieces currently on the estate. “The ABSA Award represents a major breakthrough for me and an opportunity to showcase my work before a discerning audience.”
While Zavick’s works have been sold in the region of five figure sums, his current work is considered priceless. “How many bottles of the award-winning 2004 Pinotage are there left in the world, after last night? This piece represents the culmination of a process that began four years ago and has finally reached fruition today.” One can safely say Pinotage Africa has entered the history books and Zavick is honoured to have participated in the ABSA Award ceremony. “For this I am immensely grateful,” says Zavick.
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