Our artists interpret Picasso under African skies
You have to give it to the French, they have such taste and style… just look at this gorgeous flyer… unique, original, interesting, human…. it really makes me want to be there. Be where you ask? At another amazing event aranged by the French Institute. Their cultural team must be working overtime with the number of incredible doos that they pull off in a year. Merci beaucoup! On avance! … This time it’s a branch off from the PICASSO exhibition (which by the way you must go to – only 15 days left. We promise to go soon as. Or maybe we will just go to this event and kill two birds…? Anyway, it seems that they’re moving some of the exhibit from the Standard Bank gallery to the DRILL Hall – yes – the latest hottest cultural space in downtown Jozi… another bird to kill. 24 artists have have been invited to respond to the PICASSO IN AFRICA exhibit with their own take on his work without including any of it… sounds delicious. A selection of artists: Wayne Barker – John Matshikiza & Napo Masheane – Robyn Orlin – Marcus Wyatt – TK – Karl Gietl – Elu – Prince Twala – Joe Dog – Nelisiwe Xaba & StrangeLove – Nadine Hutton – Rat Western – Street Life – Dredder & Kristar – Lara Koseff – Anna Getaneh from AfricanMosaýque – Stephen Gray – Jean-Christophe Lanquetin – Philippe Marinig – Výronique Tadjo. SO if you know anything about our artists you will know that in amongst the names above are choreographers, actors, writers, dancers, musicians, clothing designers and of course good old artists… which means that it should be a fabulara event. As they put it: “Let’s imagine a one night stand with Picasso in downtown Jo’burg, a perfect setting for a cubist, blue, pink or African party, with the skyscrapers in the background, and a gathering of artists in the boiling pot of the Drill Hall. No doubt the man who loved to push the limits of imagination and creativity would have loved the idea, and redesigned Jozi’s skyline and people in his own crazy way. So, for one night, let’s try to be as crazy and visionary as him, and let’s hear, see, feel and touch how today’s artists play with the old genius.” SOUNDS GOOD? Then come on down before the nights get to chilly and we go into evening event hibernation. PS: It’s FREE! 9 March, Drill Hall, 18:30 for 19:00. Free entrance. Two ways to get there: Preferably take a shuttle from IFAS parking to the Drill Hall and return from 6pm to...
Interesting website: African Review of Books
WOW – a website all about African authors… the site starts off with “Read extracts from Africa’s 100 Best books before you buy them”. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LIST: So we went to see how many we know in the top 100… Here are the South African’s that made it – they’re in alphabetical order. We’re not sure who the ‘international …panel’ is that decided or what the criteria are but this list does have a very “setwork” feel to it????: “This list of 100 books has been decided by an international panel of highly respected figures from books published over the past century. Nominations were submitted from around the world, the criteria being a book that is written by an African on a subject matter relevant to Africa, with an African defined as “someone who was born in Africa or who became a citizen of an African country.” *Brink, Andrý – A Dry White Season *Coetzee, J. M. – Life and Times of Michael K *Fugard, Athol – The Blood Knot: A Play in Seven Scenes *Gordimer, Nadine – Burger’s Daughter *Head, Bessie – A Question of Power *Jordan, Archibald Campbell – Ingqumbo Yeminyanya [The Wrath of the Ancestors] *Joubert, Elsa – Die Swerfjare van Poppie Nongena [The Long Journey of Poppie Nongena] *Krog, Antjie – Country of My Skull *Magona, Sindiwe – Living, Loving and Lying Awake at Night *??Mandela Nelson – Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela? *Marais, Eugýne – Die Siel van die Mier [The Soul of the White Ant] *Mphahlele, Ezekiel – Down Second Avenue *Mutwa, Vusamazulu Credo – Indaba, My Children *Nyembezi, Sibusiso – Inkinsela yaseMgungundlovu *Paton, Alan – Cry, the Beloved Country *Plaatje, Sol T. – Native Life in South Africa *Serote, Mongane Wally – Third World Express *Van Onselen, Charles – The Seed is Mine: The Life of Kas Maine, a South African Sharecropper, 1894-1985 *Vilakazi, Benedict – Amal’ezulu Anyway, onto more contemporary writers, there is a review on a book by Author David Cohen called People Who Have Stolen From Me – all about people living in and around Jules Street in Malvern… here is a peep, click here for the full review and to explore the site a bit more: I still own a house in Malvern, even though I live on the other side of the world. For two reasons. It’s a beautiful Edwardian-era working-class house with most of the original fixtures in place, like the bay windows made of wood with lead inlay glass, the high, pressed ceilings and bright oregon pine floors. The other reason I still own it is that the...
Tribute to TK – Sultry, soulful and sure.
Editorista “SJ” remembers the soulful lady “TK”: At about 4pm on Monday afternoon my phone buzzed with a message that was to alter my mood for a few days and nights… “CAN YOU BELIEVE IT, TK WAS FOUND DEAD IN A HOTEL ROOM TODAY!” I didn’t even have to wonder which TK the SMS referred to as there was only one TK in my world and that was the feisty 27 year old songstress Tsakani …“TK” Mhinga. I was lucky enough to work with TK on numerous occasions, as were many of my friends, all of whom are utterly devastated to hear about her tragic death. Her voice, performance and talent were integral to some of the best events work I have ever been party to – TK shone on stage and had an unforgettable confidence and sultry style. Sadly though, the last time I worked with her, which was more than a year ago, she seemed to have lost some kind of sparkle and shine, almost as if she had reached a ceiling in her performance life that she just didn’t have the effort or energy to break through. She was late, distant and a little disinterested in her performance (which was rare, no matter how exhaused she was!), but as soon as the music started and I had coaxed her to her opening position, the star in her just took over… the mic was hers, the room was hers, the night was hers -she was sure. TK set the tone for an event that would later be praised as the “Party of the year” and win the highest of awards. I will never forget that moment. I will never forget TK. There is so much to be said about how and why TK died and as the official statements around her death are released we hope that the truth will out. Her memorial service is on Friday: Public Memorial Service @ Mega Music in Newtown Friday 3 March 2006 12:00 TK’s Funeral Service: Saturday 4 March 2006 09:30 Catholic Church Epsom Downs (Next to Nando’s) William Nicol Drive & Sloane Street – part of the Brescia House School grounds. The funeral procession will depart from here to the final burial place in Fourways. For more on TK’s death click here for the Sowetan article. To TK’s family especially her little boy Oratile, we wish them strength and peace of mind during what must be one of the hardest times of their lives. Know that we are all blessed for having shared time and space with undoubtedly one of the best female vocalists in South Africa. To TK,...
Miss YUCKI at the Int Fashion Show – we love her!
There is something so cute and squeezable about the MIss Yucki fashion label… kind of anime, kind of manga, kind of real… Miss Yucki makes me proud to be South Africanasian. If that makes any sense? The site is refreshingly different and gorgeous, the world of Miss Yucki tantalises and entertains… Click here to learn more about Miss Yucki,… explore her products and make sure to subscribe to the email newsletter. Here is some of her latest news: It’s PhotoShoot time! There are some super delightful photographs of our dear Little Miss in Japan, romping in the snow… watch her as she plays amid snowflakes and lurking muti monsters. You can find all these pictures if you click on MissYucki’s heart badge on the main page of our site! In the Muti Shop… Ooh so many delectable new goodies… If you missed the introduction of our new Glam Mini Miss… don’t worry, because these beautiful pictures of her have been moved to the MissYucki doll section in Novelties. Be sure not to forget her, she is a total Wow Wow Extravaganza! and Oh! so cute! Also, in the muti shop is a whole new gallery of artwork by MissYucki, all these new works are ready for print…remember your yucki wish is our command! In the Travelogue… Well, since our last newsletter there has been much discovering of forgotten and faraway places. Don’t miss an all new section starring MissYucki in Thailand. Also there are updates to all the photos in Japan Land and America Land. Kat’s Dear Diary has changed too… Do visit and feel free to comment, it’ll make her day! There are loads of little changes to the site, so for more information on what’s new, visit the News section in the website, to keep yourself up to date! Finally and Most Importantly… (now don’t forget this….get out your yucki diaries now!) If you are in the jhbland vicinity, then you are in for a treat coz from the 1st to the 5th of March MissYucki will be setting up shop at Gallaghers Estate as part of the International Fashion Sale. We are not entirely sure how we got sucked into this one but we can certainly promise lots of yucki surprises up for sale…… Panty Plates, Panty Capsules, Yucki Purses, ALL NEW Eanie meanie beanies, heaps of YUCKIhandbags, muti monsters, mini prints and SOOOO MUCH MORE! Yay for us! OK, so there you have it… if you want to own your very own yucki stuff you had better pop in for a visit… Alba will be there in person, so do go and say hi! You...
Pink Rugby Player breaking boundaries
We’re looking forward to the exhibition of last year’s winner of L’Atelier award, Lawrence Lemoana entitled PLAYERS OF COLOURS. Being a Rugby player and an artist must make for formidable creative expression. In this exhibit he explores the concept of a typical “OU” – you know – REAL “MANNE” – and turns it on it’s head. …Rugby lovers, maybe this exhibit will get you out the lounge? It kicks off next week the 8 March and continues until the end of the month at the Alliance Francaise – click here for more info. Lawrence Lemoana, winner of the Absa L’Atelier Gerard Sekoto Award 2005 : “My background of playing the game of rugby influences my work, looking closely at the stereotypical masculine figure. For various reasons such as the history of our country, our social and economical positions in a ever changing world I was forced to question my own identity as a young black individual. I had to then realise that all things are not seen with the innocence of a child, that the past always has a strong bearing on our future and that in the deconstruction of my one kind of masculinity another and different one is constructed. I carefully select fabrics that create a sense of irony. My use of material attempts to subvert popular associations with my subject matter. In so doing I attempt to amend a very passionate experience … a death of a dream. In my work I try to move the energy of a negative experience in making as much as possible beautiful works that are also positive and rich with depth. I move between the real world and the super real world where all that is within it are within my control. Hence, the construction of my alter ego pink rugby player. For me this alter ego breaks boundaries in that he does what not many male figures are afraid to confront. The view that “all men are equal but some are more equal than others.” Therefore playing with the complexities of inferiority. Also I use humour as a tool and weapon. Although my subject is a serious one those kinds of elements add flavour that is very much needed in these days of metro-sexual men where the lines of masculinities and femininities are constantly being eroded and even challenged. Idealism is another modern day issue that I attempt to grapple with. For example, we have preconceived norms about social positions of individuals in society, idealistically, and that is what I challenge head on in my work.”...
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