MIND YOUR HEAD, TRANSCEND POP CULTURE!
Sep06

MIND YOUR HEAD, TRANSCEND POP CULTURE!

We have finally figured out who blakbox is! Check out the scoop below! From now on, Jozi is not dead! Friday and Saturday nights have no option but to come alive since mind your head, a brand new spot at No. 2 Delvers Street, Jozi Central launched on Friday the 1st of September 2006. In a city immersed in pop culture, mind your head brings fresh air in the experience of art and entertainment t…o the prevailing status quo in Johannesburg. Resident DJs HypeJones, Miss Buttons, Brimstone and GrandMaster Cap C will set the decks on fire! This inner city Johannesburg joint offers an alternative to mind-numbing TV and radio noise. Forget posturing, mind your head is a place where independent-thinking artists and patrons exist freely, interact and connect beyond pop-driven trends and identities. Established by hip-hop mavericks blakbox imprint, mind your head aims to transcend pop culture. blakbox imprint comment on their creation: “More than just a music lounge and cocktail bar mind your head is a venue, a space that provides a highly refined experience of cutting-edge cultural innovations in art and entertainment.” On Fridays and Saturdays, resident and guest DJ’s play a variety of sounds ranging from Blues (Sachmo to Nina Simone), Bubblegum (remember Patricia Majalisa and the Hardworkers?), Funk (James Brown to Parliament), Soul (Marvin Gaye and Isaac Hayes to Diana Ross and The Supremes), Jazz (from Count Basie to Duke Ellington), Hip-hop (from KRS One to Digable Planets and Ben Sharpa), and much more. Sundays to Thursdays are of a somewhat lower key: hosting film screenings, art exhibitions, live music performances and open for special events bookings like birthday parties, etc. Get some nourishment for your brain and mind your head. Opening night was Friday the 1st of September, but you can go and experience it yourself. I don’t know about you but I have been waiting for this kind of joint my entire life! LOCATION: No.2, Delvers Street [Crn. Cornelius], Johannesburg CBD E-mail Mind your head/Blakbox Imprint at: boximprint@inbox.com ******************************************* We keep getting these beautifully designed flyers from a mysterious source…. We just love their aesthetics and are dying to know what it’s all about. Our guess is that it’s a new venue that will be opening soon… the musical hints make us think of that…. Does anyone have any idea of what these graphics are about? Can the real Blakbox Imprint please stand up and take the props for your beautiful work? This time round they give us a few more clues with the following copy: “We are lost in music” “Mind your Head” (so there’s music and you have to walk...

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Supernova “Takashi Murakami” in Cape Town!
Sep04

Supernova “Takashi Murakami” in Cape Town!

Cape Townians, you have been blessed! One of the hottest contemporary Japanese artists, Takashi Murakami will be bringing his phenomenal work to Cape Town. Curators, seen as he’s coming so far, how about a gig in Jozi????? In 2003, Time Magazine named Takashi Murakami Japan’s hottest contemporary artist, an international phenomenon, …the art-world’s favourite son and fashion’s IT boy. His work had gone supernova, a result of his commissioned designs for Louis Vuitton handbags. Now he will be exhibiting in South Africa, at 34 LONG in Cape Town from 14 November to 9 December 2006. In Japan, there is virtually no distinction between high art and commercial production, and no censure for blending the two. But in the so-called West, some negative notions about commercialism in the art market remains, despite Warhol and Koons. Takashi has been quoted that he finds this funny; a market is commercial, isn’t it? Oppositions between East and West amuse Takashi and present him with rich material to explore and exploit in his work. He has set up factory-like studios in Tokyo and New York, where he happily mass-produces soft toys, giant inflatable balloons, t-shirts, comics, sculptures, art prints, watches and other products bearing his superflat images of childlike smiles, winking eyes, cute cartoon characters and adorable flowers. His business is called KaiKai KiKi, after his popular pair of wickedly cute soft toys; his signature character Mr DOB has big-ears and a wide smile. He employs young designers in his factories, claiming that he is not a solitary person, that he likes to draw inspiration from a collaborative environment and that he gains from their ideas as much as they gain from his. Takashi’s fame continues to grow as he makes people smile when they look at his work, wondering whether there is ironic sensibility or philosophical commentary, or nothing but sheer business savvy in his beautifully coloured images. Perhaps his works may be understood as commentaries on western modernism, contemporary consumerism, cartoon animation and Japanese history, combined. Joining an impressive list of galleries – Marianne Boesky, New York (2003); Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris (2002); Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo (2001); Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2001); Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, Paris (2001) – where Takashi has recently had solo shows, 34 LONG is the first gallery in Africa to dedicate a show to this seminal artist-entrepreneur of our time. The show, selected and curated by 34LONG in consultation with Takashi will consist of a selection of editioned prints and a selection of mass-produced merchandise: fun, beautiful objects from Kaikai Kiki. PICTURE borrowed from SA’s best art website: Artthrob. Visit Artthrob for all...

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Wildcast – a blog for wild lovers
Sep04

Wildcast – a blog for wild lovers

Join Kim Wolhuter, award-winning wildlife film-maker and photographer on his brand new blog ‘Wildcast” which is an ” exciting interactive new channel” launched on the web earlier this month… Take ‘Reality viewing’ to new heights as you engage with his un-staged Wildlife Filmmakers Safari. Kim is currently documenting an incredible wildlife experience at Malilangwe in Zimbabwe …– an uncut, uncensored African experience… Catch his current interaction with WILD DOGS and find out about other breaking news in the wildlife world such as the tragic death of Steve Irwin – The Crocodile Hunter, who was killed today in a marine accident. “According to the Daily Telegraph, he was diving off Port Douglas on the Queensland Coast when he was hit by a sting-ray barb that went through his chest.” Wildcast.net. Represent sends their condolences to all the family, friends and fans of Steve Irwin. More about Kim Kim was fortunate to spend his early years growing up in the wilds of Africa: the Kruger National Park, South Africa, where his father was the Head Ranger. Harry Wolhuter, Kim’s grandfather, the first ranger of the Kruger National Park is a something of a national legend having had to kill an adult male lion single handedly with a knife after it had pulled him from his horse while on patrol. Having completed his basic education, Kim obtained a degree in Grassland Science and entered the wildlife arena managing a game farm in Botswana and later serving as Senior Warden of Mlawula Nature Reserve in Swaziland before taking up the camera. It came by pure chance that renowned veteran filmmaker Richard Goss approached Kim about getting involved in wildlife filmmaking, “I had never before thought of this as a career and couldn’t imagine myself getting involved in such a celebrated occupation”, Kim confesses. After working with Richard Goss for 6 years, Kim took up the camera as a fully-fledged Producer/Cameraman and created his own production company, going on to film and direct several highly-acclaimed pictures, including: Black-Jack, High Stakes Impala – Basic Instincts Stalking Leopards Tjololo – Tracking an African Leopard Let’s hear it from Kim: “I’ll keep you updated with my daily diary and numerous photos to compliment it. And soon you’ll receive daily video clips as I go about documenting Africa’s wildlife at Malilangwe Reserve in Zimbabwe. Log on every day to www.wildcast.net and enjoy the ride, which includes: > Daily blog posts with details on the day’s adventures > My best photos shared fresh everyday > Bush sounds > Video clips of the animals and their exploits > Question and Answer sessions > Live web-based chats > Interactive maps with...

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SA rock artist IKE back in SA
Sep04

SA rock artist IKE back in SA

WATCH THIS FACE – and it’s a gorgeous face at that – ladies you’ll love SA’s next big Rock boy, step aside Arno, IKE MORIZ is here. Welcome back to SA Ike, we’re glad you’re home, we wish you all the best in your musical dreams… COME ON FANS – give Ike lots of love. See IKE’s website here. Capetonian Ike Moriz comes from a very artistic family of designer…s & musicians. He was exposed to theatre, literature, music and art from an early age. Already during his secondary school years, he showed a great talent for writing, acting (Sybil Sands agency, CT) & performing. After a short flirt with modelling (Elite Models), psychology & business studies, the young artist started his career by studying music (Jazz performers) at UCT. His fascination with International Pop/Rock & Jazz drew him overseas, where he absolved part of his course at two colleges of music (Holland & Germany). Right after finishing his degree in 1999, the versatile singer / songwriter immigrated to London as the lead singer of the London Hard Rock band ‘Stunt Double’. During his plentiful stays in Europe, Ike also fronted bands in Hamburg, Rotterdam, & Dresden. Ike Moriz has gained wide international acclaim as a singer / songwriter / performer & producer since starting to work as a solo artist with George Michael’s & Marc Almond’s producer S. Kent in London from 2002. Among the many international reviews, Ike has also received positive appraisal for his debut album by rock legend David Bowie who himself voted Ike’s songs as top original song of the week on his web site. His first 3 singles FALL INTO THE SUN, YOU COULD and MIRRORS & SHADE have been aired on the radio & TV in 17 countries. Critics described him as “Bowie without the glam meets Oasis without the self-importance teamed with UK chart “alternative” without the boredom.” Early last year Ike finished the ‘Mirrors and Shade Tour’ promoting his debut album of the same title in the UK, Holland, Italy & Germany. All singles reached high radio chart positions in the UK, Holland & SA and earned him immense support from an international fan base reflected on the ever-growing www.ikemoriz.com. Moriz founded his very own record label MOSQUITO RECORDS LONDON 3 years ago in London, where he also nurtured his acting talents by starring as the male lead in the new American musical ‘Saving Anne’ & acting countless parts in various British and American feature films (Alfie, Bridget Jones, Love Actually, Shanghai Knights et al), commercials & TV series. Moriz has moved back home to the Cape last year for...

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A Nite Out Session by Slingshot Productions
Aug23

A Nite Out Session by Slingshot Productions

We cater for the diverse musical tastes of mzantsi and we don’t discriminate against talent, that’s why we urge you to go out and spend – A Nite Out With RedHOUSE. The 411 on the band: The band, RedHOUSE, has built up a reputation across South Africa as one of the most talented, energetic, spectacular and loudest rock bands to ever grace the stages of the local pub, club and musi…c festival scene and, through their constant gigging and the much anticipated release of their debut album, their legion of fans is increasing exponentially. They are, in the eyes of many, the most entertaining live act this country has to offer. Now, with an unplugged feature at The Nite Out Session, they have a whole new dimension to reveal to their fans & anyone new to their sound. Formed in 1999, RedHOUSE is led by lead guitarist & vocalist Ross Meintjes, his younger brother & drummer Brendon Meintjes, and long-time best friend, bass guitarist & backing vocalist Everett Montague. The band’s sound, style and stage act is a direct result of eating & breathing Rock ‘n Roll from a very young age. The boys knew that by combining their influences in their own inimitable way, they would be onto a good thing. Little did they know that they were, in fact, onto a great thing! Over the years they have played at pubs, clubs & some of the country’s top & popular festivals such as Woodstock, Southern Cross & Splashy Fen, where their performances generated such hype that the band were asked to record their single “Killer” for the C-Weed compilation album. At the 2003 Splashy Fen Music Festival they were voted the best up-and-coming band, an honour which allowed the band to perform twice that weekend, both times in front of a packed crowd. Under the guidance of Authentic Ideas and newly appointed manager Craig Engelbrecht, RedHOUSE have completed their debut album. Entitled “Old School”, the record boasts 10 solid tracks & features the production talents of the legendary David Birch, as well as those of Ruben Thomas, a young German producer who is fast becoming one the most sought-after producers in South Africa. After spending three straight days in the studio, RedHOUSE embarked on a serious of successful tours to Gauteng & the Eastern Cape, playing at, amongst other shows, the massive Rock Concert 7 at Carnival City. RedHOUSE go unplugged at A Nite Out Session and the boys are all set for the session! Venue: Vestige Bistro & Bar in DURBAN! Date: Thursday 31st of August 2006 Time: 20h00 For more information on the performance, please...

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TURNHERE, a digital tourguide on the web!
Aug17

TURNHERE, a digital tourguide on the web!

REPRESENT is all for citizen journalism. You know we like to keep you in the loop with what is going on in the new digital age. We came across this amazing site where citizens in places all over the world, shoot videos of interesting places to visit or cool things to do in their respective cities or neighbourhoods. They then make these available for locals or people around the world to download… and watch if they are interested in visiting that place or checking out what’s cool to do in those streets! Isn’t that cool? I would love the opportunity to film a night out at my favourite jol for people all over the world to see. The company; TurnHere Inc was founded in 2005 and is based in Emeryville, California. Their website features cool topics like nightlife, shopping, restuarants and pics of the day. People are full of great ideas, just when you think there is nothing else anyone can possibly do, they surprise you with fresh concepts. Alas the power of technology! And the world gets smaller and smaller Go to www.turnhere.com and check it out for...

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