Disturbance at the JAG
The JAG, also known as The Johannesburg Art Gallery, will be hosting a fascinating exhibition of contemporary art from Denmark, Norway, Finland and South Africa, titled “ disturbance”. The show will examine the relationship Nordic and South African artists have to notions of identity and place. Having visited Sweden (we LOVED Stockholm and can’t wait to go back!) we can confirm that from an outsider’s point of view, it appears to have a very different culture from South Africa … on the surface… Editorista is spending some time in Europe and she too can confirm how often she feels herself having ‘flashbacks’ to SA… This kind of project is the exact kind of probing that can help us understand what lies beneath the surface within our cultures and how we may surprise ourselves in our likeness… All will be revealed: Drawing on a strong romantic landscape tradition and constructed ideas of what constitutes Scandinavian nationalism; perceptions about self and society are explored through photography, video, sound and performance. The exhibition explores the paradoxes of what Nordic society entails from personal displacement to commentary on other communities or nationalities and as such the depictions in its contemporary art. Equally, what do the disparate relations between Scandinavia and South Africa have in common? The thematic of the show will focus on “disturbance” as a term understood to explore both the literal and implicit rupture existing in society. The exhibition includes artists from Norway – Bodil Furu, Torbjorn Rodland, Maia Urstad and the artistic duo Goksoyr & Maartens. In addition an artist from Denmark – Astrid K. Jensen, and a selection from Finland including Eija Liisa Ahtila, Marja Helander, Veli Grano and Mika Ronkainen’s documentary The Screaming Men. South African artists participating in the exhibition are: Siemon Allan, Anthea Moys, James Web, Nandipha Mnthambo, Athi Ptra Ruga, Nicholas Hlobo and Alastair Mclahlan The Exhibition will officially open on Sunday 26 October at 6.30pm, Johannesburg Art Gallery and will run until 1 March 2009. The exhibition is curated by Clive Kellner and Maria Fidel Regueros. JOHANNESBURG ART GALLERY is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10:00am till 5:00pm, its situated at King George Street, (between Wolmarans and Noord Streets), Joubert Park, tel: + 27 11 725...
Represent Review: H20 Africa
It’s not the kind of event one can entirely convey in words, so we encourage you to go and see our H20 Africa Photostory to catch a glimpse of the crazy H20 Party… Our journo Elmarie adds to the photos with a sweet summary of the H2O Africa experience of this past weekend : Once again the Beasts from the East topped their game at H2O, Wild Waters Boksburg! I’ve seen this dance party phenomenon evolve and mature like a good red wine over the years. Organisation was thorough. Every detail, from security (the Boeries were out in full force) to squeezing your lemon and to having every talented DJ/musician meet your musical needs, was taken care of, down to the finest making the day extremely comfortable and energizing for all. South Africa! – WOW, what beautiful and interesting creatures emerged from all over the country to share in this festive sun-kissing-mind-blowing-cardio-kicking dance sensation. I’m always thrilled when a plan comes together and seeing people who make an effort to unite all in the name of getting down and dirty on the dance floor. I have two words for H2O: Unfunking Believable! If you didn’t make it this time round, sorry for you…. Dance connects us all, so in 2009, be...
Thesis Social Jam Session Vol3.
We introduced you to the fabulous Sowetan fashion stockist Thesis and the creative collective behind it a few months ago, they’re having a jam session this Sunday, and it looks to be rocking! Click on the flyer for more info: In the streets of Soweto a creative shell was cracked when a truly raw brand was born. This brand lays a point of view about the experiences, culture, ambiance and the beat of Soweto. Thesis is bringing a music report called Thesis Social Jam Sessions. Happening every first Sunday of the month, the jam sessions are described as a social connektion of creative’s and people that are like minded coming together under the roof of Thesis concept store to share in the sounds of true music ranging from Soul to Breaks’, Jazz to Hip Hop, Poetry to Comedy. Live elements rule the platform with new and unsigned (some signed) acts performing to woe the eclectic crowdz that gather to share in on this environment. Born out of true deprivation of what is good in our terms, the Thesis Social Jam Sessions were conceived. The Sessions are set out to include all forms of the arts in order for them to withhold in the current state of “corrupt” art forms and to be considered inclusive to all people with the love of the arts. The arts being talked about include music, photography, fashion design, graphic design, live performance, comedy, poetry and film. The reason for them to be named social sessions is because it’s a coming together of creative’s and like minded people to interact and communicate for the growth of a unified creative society in Soweto. Thesis as a fashion company and brand has already set up the platform through their fashion design and concept store, thus their association with the new brand…Thesis social Jam sessions. As previously proven worldwide, music is the unifier of all languages around the world, including Soweto. With the Thesis Social Jams Sessions, music is the foundation of the sessions with resident and guest dj’s playing an array of eclectic music ranging from 70’s soul to neo soul, hip-hop to trip-hop, jazz to acid jazz and roots reggae to dub steps. Thesis Social Jam Sessions provides a platform to unsigned and signed artists and live performers. The air that we breathe is “live” as we belie that live performance breeds a intensity in the crowd and performers alike with the mood that can not be replicated through recordings. With saying that, Thesis Social Jam Sessions are recorded and broadcast through pod-casts, so that the message, vibe and atmosphere filters down to the people and...
Represent Review: So you think you can Dance
We’re delighted that some of Represent’s fabulara dancer friends: David Matamela, Thabiso, Megan and Elizma are all getting their go on telly, it’s about time these tireless hard-slogging dancers got a glamourous platform to shake their booties, it’s a nice change from the bread-and-butter corporate work they have to do, although they do it so superbly. So… The Matrix was on TV!! Yes, yours truly and the legendary Agent Katz have been mingling with the visual media people again… See Agent Katz’s photostory of the night as well as lots of close-up backstage pics here, and read all about the live TV event below: Saturday 27 September 2008, The Standardbank Arena – Ellis Park Sports Precinct. Many a follower and busloads of family and friendly supporters turned out in their droves for the live, SABC 1 broadcast of the riveting Teen pop-culture dance competition: So You Think You Can Dance. There’s just something awesome about attending a live event, for starters, while the repertoire of choreographic work is kept at bear-minimum levels, the adrenaline rush in the live environment is forever pumping, ensuring that you miss none of the breath- taking content. This being a family and teens targeted programme, the event coordinator found himself with a mammoth of a task at hand – painstakingly trying to regulate the loud screams and vibrant young energies transcending into the arena (p.s we were trained like Seals in a series of very important drills: when to scream, shout, clap and boo… I wonder if they purposefully ignored training us on how to spot the cue for when to shed a tear at some of the beautiful and emotion-evoking scenes, captivatingly portrayed live on the expansive and well designed stage). Like in other true pop-culture show which has managed to survive the long and treacherous transatlantic journey to land on our ‘color tubes’, a team of villains posing as ‘Duke and his Duchess’ style personalities made-up the expert panel of Judges…Such a snooty bunch this lot!! Professional Choreographer: David Matsamela, Professional Choreographer: Ms Didi Moses, Professional and International Choreographer: Harold van Buuren. AND NOW THE PERFORMING ARTS… Those of us who grew up with square eyes from being glued to the indoor square box would surely confess to loving YO-TV (The former version with the Dodo costumed dude who famously exclaimed: Ma’ Cousins!!!) , for many of us the sole purpose of watching was to feed our secret affection of the super-styling babe: Sade! Well, I can confess that she’s still as fly and confident as ever! Iyoh, Iyoh, Iyoh!!!! The 14 amazingly talented contestants with elastic-like flexibility were grouped in pairs...
Represent Review: Soweto Gospel Choir DvD Launch
Our indefatigable team of Represent reporters Reuben ‘The Matrix’ Malema and Nkateko “Agent Katz” Siweya headed off to the glittering Maponya Mall in the heart of wonderful Soweto for the launch of the Soweto Gospel Choir’s new DVD… See our photostory here. Thursday 25 September 2008. Maponya Mall – Soweto. A fair weathered evening at this once termed “ambitious White Elephant” (excuse the pun) of township real estate. Today, not only is this elegant mall proudly standing in the heart of black economy, but Maponya Mall is home to the most famous retail, franchise, boutique and chain store outlets of Mzansi’s cherished brands like: Woolworths, Pick ‘n Pay, News Café, Primi Piatti and many more. The Ster Kinekor is of top notch quality, complete with a nice and spaciously designed food court for Africa! Tonight, our entertainment hunting noses have lead us to the Grammy Award winning Soweto Gospel Choir’s launch of their signature DVD: African Spirit. I like the Soweto Gospel Choir, as a matter of fact I prefer their melodic inspirational tunes over that of Joyous Celebration. In sharp contrast to the former, Soweto’s humming choristers beautifully blend a selected collection of staunch church choruses with a number of smooth and equally uplifting melodies. This, I believe is the very reason why they gained international appeal, superstardom stature and all round affection which will surely stand them in good stead for many days to come. The legion of Mzansi’s “want to know it all” daily columnists aka paparazzi, were treated exceptionally well (obviously!) and accorded the kind of decorum fit for royalty. However, a bit of over estimation on the part of the organizers meant that the nice to gobble stuff far outlasted the number of attendees, but sadly on my part, the green bottle from Amstel Brouwerijen of Amsterdam was strictly kept at bay…sad, very sad!!! A makeshift stage was erected in front of Tuscan BBQ adjacent the Ster Kinekor movie theater. We were treated to famous Sunday choruses like “Ke Na Le Modisa, Woza Meli Wami, Bayete” and many more, however the song that most inspired the audience to a point of uncontrollable, compulsive sing along hums was the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games Theme song: World in Union. I was at a loss for words… After the live performances, we were escorted into the movie theater (Popcorn and ice-cold Coca Cola in hand) for a sneak preview of the magic as recorded in front of a live audience at the Nelson Mandela Theater – Civic Theater – Braamfontein and now beautifully packaged in a collectors DVD which is available at all good music stores nationwide....
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