Misael: Art, Design, Food - and much more

*Has since closed*

Cape Town's breeding ground for creativity draws Capetonians into an artistic space

Wander the wide, white space of Misael and wonder a while. Is it a gallery? A coffee shop? A boutique? A party space?  It's all of these, actually, and more.

Misael SA Art and Design is located in an historic building at 103b Bree Street, Cape Town – opposite Heritage Square. It's a concept quite new to Cape Town - a chic, malleable contemporary space entertains your senses with select, limited edition art, design, ceramics, accessories, fashion, food, furniture, and music photography. It is place to relax, a chance to rediscover the expression of beauty and creativity through human hands.

Offering one-off Art

Misael’s creators - Michael Haerens and Ivano Gelio - describe this hidden gem as “the answer to mass production and consumerism by offering artists and designers a space in which to exhibit one-off or limited edition art and design pieces.”  

The first Misael exhibitions took place in Hong Kong 2008, Milan in 2008 and in 2009 at the Milan Furniture and Design Fair.  Pacific Union (the umbrella company) won Italy That Works 2008. a Misael store venue opened shortly after in Milan, exhibited at the Design Indaba in 2009, the first non-South African Design Company to exhibit South African designers. A dedicated design space in Cape Town was a logical follow-on. This space was launched on 1 October 2009.

Eat, shop, enjoy

Open Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 21:00, the venue, transformed through collaboration between Italian architect Arrigo Corà and South African architect Y.Tsai, invites after-work drinks, quick coffee breaks, or an impromptu browse on a stroll through the city.  They serve lunch all day with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. Expect Caprese salads, sandwiches, smoothies and good coffee. The fully stocked bar is open till 21:00 daily except Sundays, and until the last person leaves during the World Cup, with all of the games showing on two screens.

Because every piece is specially and individually selected, the store always offers something special. But don't expect it to look the same every day.

Multi-modal and modern –a shifting space

This wireless-enabled, multi-modal gallery frequently shifts its shape. The display cabinets and clothes rails wheel around to suit the crowd, the function, the mood all in white. The clean, uncluttered space adjusts easily to quick, corporate think tanks, intimate lunches; it doubles as an entertainment space host to hopping parties and exhibition openings.  Regularly hosting new art, fashion, accessories and decor stock as well as events and gatherings big and small, its contemporary pieces are made with dedication, passion and care.

For your body, choose select jewellery, Lara Bohinc sunglasses, Angel Jackson clutch bags, clothing from Sinha-Stanic (Aleksandar Stanic and Fiona Sinha) and Alice McCall. Its fashion collection focuses on quality of fabric, design and finish, so you won't avoid lustful ‘umming and aahing'.

Objects of beauty and utility

For your home (or your friends) its objets d'art (and heart) are perfect for personalising your own space, or for sparking conversation.  Ponder an unusual sideboard and delicate ceramics, admire changing exhibitions; Misael will move you no matter where you sit or sip, and if it inspires your own art or design, they may even display it.

Open to everyone

The space is keen to encourage creativity and thought and acquires its goods through an organic process of networking and idea swapping.  Deborah Polonsky, Misael's art director is direct. "We want to open the space for our artists to create what they've always wanted to create, where they might not have a market anywhere else."In effect, Misael nurtures young creative minds by giving them an inner-city retail platform to showcase their work alongside seasoned contemporary artists from across the globe, an unconscious mentorship that exchanges experience for inspiration and vice versa.

A catalogue of acclaimed contemporary artists

This makes for an impressive catalogue including  Walter Oltmann, Lyall Sprong, Andile Dyalvane, Bronze Age Foundry, Peter Eastman, Peter Jacobs, Urban Africa, Frida Hulten, Dianne Harper, Casamento, I-felt-like-it, Severino Braccialarge, TW Ceramics, Falko, and photographer Jonx Pillemer's first solo show.

Much ado about music and parties

Its walls have been soaked in song almost as much as they've been covered in art works. Lindiwe Suttle's bright theatrics and acclaimed jazz artist Jimmy Dludlu's blessing at their opening have both been a hit. Neo Muyanga (Blk Sonshine) and MXO have serenaded guests.  The space is available for hire for private parties and functions.

Something for everyone

Far from attracting the hoity toity, what's happening at Misael appeals to a wide audience. "The young come in and love it, the old likewise; visitors, locals. People like what we're offering, our clientele is broad. Our exhibition openings draw different of people. The exhibitions become a party, mostly. That's how we'd like to promote it, that it is a sensory experience. There's a very good energy here. It's relaxed, yet chic. People have embraced that. The space is almost a surprise."

Misael 
103b Bree Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 424 8540

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 21:00

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