Hair and Carpentry @ Blank
Jul30

Hair and Carpentry @ Blank

We’ve often spoken about the unusual exhibits at BLANK projects in the Bo-Kaap gallery, Cape Town.  The next month features two interesting offerings, first up Gabi Ngcobo’s exhibit featuring her and others hair (!) and then Douglas Gimberg and Christian Nerf invite you to join them in dismantling traditional wooden scupltures!  See below: Unwel’olude is artist and curator Gabi Ngcobo’s second solo exhibition. Unwelo’olude is a Zulu saying which translates literally as “may your hair grow longer”.  The hair in the saying makes reference to life. The saying is articulated as a well-wisher to someone, usually on their birthday or when they have performed an outstanding deed. It means “long live” or “viva”.   The exhibition features works made of Ngcobo’s own hair as well as hair sourced from her friends and family. With this exhibition past, present and future become intertwined. The work is riddled by contradictions that reveal a sense of hope and confusion.   Closes: 3 August   *************************** OPENING at blank projects:  Wednesday 8 August 18h00 Douglas Gimberg and Christian Nerf present CARPENTRY 101. The artists will be attempting to dismantle traditional wooden sculptures, you are welcome to join them. “We are not perfect.” Gimberg “Sometimes bad people do good things.” Nerf A book will accompany the show with contributions from Ronald Suresh Roberts, Bettina Malcomess, Nuno Sacramento, Robert Sloon, Ed Young, Andrew Lamprecht, Bianca Baldi, Johan Kritzinger, Dan Halter, Lizza Littlewort, Gimberg and Nerf. Opens: August 8 Closes: August 31 blank projects 198 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town Tel: 072 198 9221 Email: blankprojects@gmail.com by...

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Is Blackle the new Google?
Jul30

Is Blackle the new Google?

Thanks to several Representah’s for the heads up – we’ve been hearing about BLACKLE for a couple of days now – the so-called “eco-friendly version of Google” – we finally got the time to check it out and research it a bit – the email that’s circulating explains Blackle as the following: For those worried with energy consumption and all its downsides… When your screen is white, being it an empty word page, or the Google page, your computer consumes 74 watts, and when its black it consumes only 59 watts. So a man named Mark Ontkush wrote an article about the energy saving that would be achieved if Google had a black screen, taking in account the huge number of page views, according to his calculations, 750 mega watts/hour per year would be saved.  In a response to this article Google created a black version of its search engine, called Blackle, with the exact same functions as the white version, but with a lower energy consumption, check it out. http://www.blackle.com/ Numerous blogs around the world are debating the theory – like Treehugger where several commentators argue that the theory is questionable: Somebody didn’t think too hard about this one. Most everybody these days are using LCD screens instead of the big clunky CRT monitors. The backlight design of an LCD means that it’s actually using no energy to display a white pixel, and a small voltage is applied to each of three sub-pixels to display a black pixel. Might have been a good idea ten years ago, but not anymore. Wikipedia cuts to the chase: “Blackle is a search engine developed by Heap Media Australia [1], which is energy-saving. It uses the Google search engine, from which the company derives its income.” Mhhmmm smells like a scam to us. Thoughts? For those wanting to use the real Black Google – Google has a black version they have developed:...

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Represent Recommends: Afronova Gallery
Jul26

Represent Recommends: Afronova Gallery

Have you been to one of the opening nights of an art exhibition at Afronova in Newtown? Picture it, the city in the evening, night market with colourful vendors selling beads, earrings, clothing and arts and crafts outside the Market theatre, patrons at Moyo’s cuddling under blankets in candlelight and a whole bunch of arty folk gathered in the quaint Afronova gallery and on the cobbled boardwalk sipping on vino.  Sounds tempting? What we like about it is you can either just pop in, have a look and mingle for a few moments or you can make a meal of it and join the artist for dinner at Gramadoelas.  Go and check it out.  If you miss opening night, the exhibit continues for a few weeks normally – just check the opening times out below. Enjoy! Gathered Spirits a solo exhibition by PETROS GHEBREHIWOT Friday 3 August from 18:00 to 20:00 Followed by the artists dinner at Gramadoelas Restaurant In this solo exhibition, Eritrean artist Petros Ghebrehiwot reflects on the collective behavior of people. He explores the reasons that bring small or large number of individuals together as well as the capabilities, experiences, characteristics and power they hold. Every individual has a shelter where he/she practices a private life with family members or alone. Individuals also form crowds who get together for common social, cultural, religious or political reasons. The works deal with the aggregated human spirits and their deeds, through architecture, drawing, painting and assemblage. Exhibition runs until Wednesday 22 August IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE ARTIST DINNER @ GRAMADOELAS R100 at the door This is a convivial and adventurous platform for gastronomy and networking. The legendary Gramadoelas Restaurant is famous for its Cape Malay and African delights as well as its generous wine sharing. RSVP: afronova@tiscali.co.za Gallery Hours Tuesday to Friday: 13:00 to 19:00 Saturday: 13:00 to 17:00 Contacts e: afronova@tiscali.co.za w: http://www.afronova.com/ c: +27 (0) 83 726 59 06 The gallery is just across the Market Theatre entrance Safe parking corner Miriam Makeba and Gwigwi Mrwebi St – Newtown Po box 3205 – Parklands 2121 – Johannesburg – South...

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Represent Recommends: PARTY PEOPLE
Jul25

Represent Recommends: PARTY PEOPLE

It’s definitely one of Jozi’s monthly “must do” events for those of you craving a funked up night out with a dash of live music – Party People always features a dose of hot up-and-coming talent and you know you can rely on the soulful sounds of one of our best DJ’s Khenzero for a little soul shaking – Party People is at Roka on Saturday featuring Miss BEE – sounds interesting 😉 Hallo Party People. Thank you for coming to help us celebrate the Birthday last month…Guess what? It’s that time of the month again and this time we Go BIG with Miss Bee, a part Malawian, part Zambian, Mozambiquian, Zimbabwean born and Canadian nurtured South African singer with the big eyes stands at only 5’2” but has a voice of a chanteuse much larger than herself. Teaming up with American, French, Scandinavian as well as Canadian artists and beat makers brought her into the limelight at various competitions across Canada. Miss Bee performed at beauty pageants, gospel shows, clubs, jazz lounges and opening for Young Buck and Mario; two top selling American artists. She is now back home in South Africa with 2 features on 5th Floor, a Hip Hop outfit’s sophomore album and has performed with a local Cape Town band-Chiroscuro. So come see her live along side DJ Kenzhero and guests @ Roka – Doors Open 9PM.  R50 Gets you in!!! • Ladies come in for free before 9:30 pm • Party People Dinner guests get 10% off • Cocktail special – Buy one get one for free b4 10:30            Oppikoppi tickets Give away!!!!!      ...

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Represent Review: Niemand/Lonehill Estate
Jul23

Represent Review: Niemand/Lonehill Estate

Representah John went to check out Niemand and Lonehill Estate at Carnival City – the bottom line is the same old story guys, we need to support our hard-working and superbly talented artists more – let’s get behind them and attend as many shows as we can.  This is what Represent is all about so let’s Represent!  Here’s Johns words, Sharpile!: I don’t know what the issue is, marketing, the fans or winter? Twice I’ve gone to see a show at Carnival City, first the Carnival Pops, and now the Niemand show – and both times the venue was almost empty. I really feel for the excellent performers on stage having to play to almost empty halls. Friday night’s show by Niemand really lived up to it’s name as almost no one pitched to see the show. That said, the show was brilliant. Niemand is one of the best acts I’ve ever seen on the local scene and were it not for the awkward seating arrangements, we would have been dancing and rocking violently. They delivered what I expected and more. The highlight of the show though, was the opening act – Lonehill Estate. Wow ! These young guys are playing at a level only seen in seasoned performers. Why they opened for Niemand is beyond me because they deserve their own show. The front man Nathan Ro has an incredible voice and it helps that he is a born performer. He presented the songs in a funny, sometimes sad and always most entertaining manner. He has the charisma of a dictator on stage yet will stun you when he and the band do an ad-libbed song, with words and themes  – including musical keys – from the audience. He is a REAL “Soutie” and yet he enthralled the small crowd with his take of an Afrikaans song. The rest of the band, The President (well deserved name) and Sunshine D,  is VERY capable but the base player, Gabriel Craig,  stunned us. The guy is so versatile – after playing base for a few songs he switched to piano, penny whistle and the flute.  Wow – what a talent! The show gets full marks – it’s entertaining – a bit loud so leave the old folks at home – and tickled our feet which left us wanting for space to dance. Come on everyone! This kind of talent deserves better support all...

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