Jason McNamara at Narina Trogon
Get down to Braamfontein’s snazziest restaurant Narina Trogon this week for an Open Door Photographic Exhibition by Jason McNamara on the 23rd (Tuesday) and 26th (Friday) September 2008. Click on the flyer for details, and don’t forget to book your table for a DELICIOUS meal on the night or you can email the restaurant for more info. We chat to Jason about life, art and Jozi…
Hey Jason, tell us a little bit about how you got to where you’re at… Other than tons of HEAVY METAL & Black Label at the school of life, I got into graphic design straight out of school. Got the diploma but always wanted to be behind the lens, so I got into Animation at Boston media. AFDA wasn’t around yet and Tech & Varsity weren’t ‘my bag of chips’ so Boston media& 5th Dimension seemed to be the next best place to learn. As with many things in life you very rarely remain on the path you initially set out on. Mine was no different. I had the skills in Visual Arts, Photography and Animation but had no bloody idea what I was going to do with them. However the universe did know and so 9 years later here I am Creating in an array of mediums to a diverse audience in the Events Industry!
So Jason, we know you best as a Creative Director, tell us about your foray into Photography…
I guess the two really go hand in hand. An idea comes from the strangest places. Mine generally start behind the lens and progress into the digital realm where we really PLAY and CREATE!
Why doors? When life was just beginning for me, my dad’s came to a sudden and unexpected end! The fondest memories I have of him are listening to Jim Morrison and the Doors, whom he admired. My admiration for them has been stalwart ever since, so when I started messing around with photography I instantly knew that my first theme should be the Doors, but with a twist!
Where have your travels taken you? Damn! I have been to the strangest of places which I never dreamed I would see such as: Iran, Syria, Sudan, Nigeria and even Dortmund in Germany to name a few.
Will your work be on sale? This has been a dilemma from day 1. To sell or not to sell? I really want people to arrive as apprehensive as I will be but leave INSPIRED! If that happens, I will be freekin’ ecstatic! But to answer the question, Yeah I guess so, bills still need to be paid!
When will your exhibition be on? Tuesday 23 Sept and again on Friday 26th Sept. But it also open during the day from lunchtime on both the 25th & 26th Sept.
Tell us about the venue – its new…WOW! What a treasure Narina Trogon is. The food is amazing and the décor perfectly complements it. It’s definitely World Class and a must see for all who like something different and love the city. I just wish more of these kind of places would pop up all over Braamfontein and Jozi CBD.
What do you most love about Jozi? The raw textures of the streets and the energy you feel when chilling on a roof top at sunset, savouring every moment with those you love!
What do you see as your future? Near future… Finally marrying my amazing girl and finding a NEW and exciting theme to Capture! After that… I guess I would love to take my photography further. I am a HUGE fan of music and would love to travel with a band to capture their LIVES on the road and the way their music inspires people.
What do you think the future holds for Jozi city? I think the CITY has a tremendous future. I have seen a positive change in the last few months. Newtown has been clean and safe for years now as with Braamies but lately I have noticed that the ugly duckling areas such as Ghandi square and Eloff are also on the UP and UP! If anybody has any doubts maybe they should take a drive and visit any of the really awesome cafés such as Capello’s at Ghandi sq, pay a few bucks and be inspired by the view on top of the tallest building in Africa or just ask themselves the question: “Why are the banks still here, if it’s supposed to be so BAD?”
Click for map to Narina Trogon below.
