Socially Conscious Design – The New Narrative
Taking up design as a career choice is a daunting task. Regardless of how creative you may consider yourself to be, the reality is that the industry is filled with so much talent that isn’t necessarily absorbed by your traditional agencies. The socio-economic realities of our times drive most young designers to seek work rather than create it for themselves. But there’s a new generation of creatives, an army of visual storytellers that use their immediate surroundings and life experiences to market their skills, primarily using exhibition spaces and online spaces like Instagram, Behance and Facebook. If you ask me about current trends, I’d have to put myself in the shoes of so many of my peers, but here are few. Ruramai Mesikiwa – Her Sibahle campaign is a celebration of our individuality and African beauty through a poster series and the overarching message is one of self-love. This project is an extension of her perspective, a view from a (relatively) young African woman’s vantage point. Rendani Nemakhavani – 30 Days and a City is a collaborative multi-medium urban art project, curated by Rendani “Missblacdropp” Nemakhavhani in collaboration with Studio-X Johannesburg. This exhibition consists of a series of artists who were asked to document the city as they see it. Thus, it presents emerging representations of Johannesburg that challenge dystopian representations of everyday life in Johannesburg. Her work is a reflection of how she experiences Jozi and her illustrations reference things like hairstyles, phrases she’s heard, the mini-bus taxi lifestyle and street names. David Tshabalala – Run The World. During Womens Month, I illustrated 31 Women, 1 illustration per day, over the course of the entire month of August. These are a combination of women I’ve met and they’ve left me inspired after our conversations about projects that they are busy with. I follow them closely on digital platforms and I feed off their energy through their respective blogs and I enjoy the content they share and create. The project was birthed to exist exclusively on Instagram, honouring young women who carry a beacon of inspiration in their respective walks of life. Bringing the campaign to the public space by means of exhibition serves to physically share in the glory of the women profiled as well as paying homage to them. Modise Sepeng -Founded by graphic designer, art director and founder of Negritude Republic Modise BlackDice Sepeng and Creative director of Kala/Mine Productions, Banele P. Mtebele. “I Beg to differ” is a digital documentary that profiles extraordinary African creatives who are influential, inspirational, determined & persevere to live their dreams despite all the odds against them. Myself, Rendani Nemakhavani,...
Project Maboneng: Street Festival to celebrate the expansion of the precinct
With what seems to be one of the most exciting developments in downtown Johannesburg over the past few years, the Maboneng Precinct has clearly made an impression in the hearts of young people, attracting all ages, races and ethnic groups to its streets. From trendy themed restaurants and office space to lodging, fashion stores and even a new age cinema, the precinct is one of the coolest hubs in the inner city. And in celebration of the recent expansion of the Maboneng Precinct in downtown Johannesburg, the managing and social committee has decided to launch the exciting project with a massive hip-hop street festival. Aptly named ‘PROJECT MABONENG’ the fest will feature local and international talent and will take place later this month. With a huge local line-line-up of the best of SA hip-hop, PROJECT MABONENG will also feature a powerhouse international headliner to be announced next week. The street themed festival hopes to attract a mixed crowd further encouraging and supporting the development and infrastructure of the Maboneng precinct and the inner-city as a whole. PROJECT MABONENG LINE UP: Cassper Nyovest Ifani Okmalukoolkat Riky Rick Kid X Kwesta Milkshake, Dimplez and Vigi Twins on Decks Speedsta Sphe and Naves Hiphop artist, entrepreneur and concert organizer George Avakian stated that PROJECT MABONENG will feature some of SA’s hip hop royalty, in addition to an infamous international outfit which aims to attracts over 5 000 people. ‘We are so excited to launch the new inner-city development with a mass celebration of this kind. We hope to attract even more people to come experience the vibrancy of the precinct for themselves, and what better way to do it than with a street festival.’ Doors open at midday while the 12-hour street festival experience will cost R325 per person. A convenient ‘Park & Ride service will be available to and from the Joburg stadium and is included in the ticket price. Limited tickets go on sale this week at TicketPro (www.Ticketpro.co.za)....
The age of custom-made: Pretoria designers thrive
New life has been injected into creative businesses in Pretoria since The Brooklyn Design Fair opened its doors at the Brooklyn Square parkade in Pretoria. The Fair takes place on the first Friday of every month from 16:00 until 21:00. And the locals are loving it! In response to the demand for custom-made and non-mainstream living, The Brooklyn Design Fair opened its doors on Friday, 06 June 2014 at the second floor parking at Brooklyn Square, Pretoria. Conveniently, entrance to The Fair is free of charge. Filled with beautiful design, tantalising refreshments and live entertainment, The Fair aims to give young entrepreneurs, local traders and small business owners the chance to showcase their work at a regular pop-up event. “Our goal is to create a platform where our vendors can generate leads, orders and sales,” says Beninca Steyn, one of The Brooklyn Design Fair founders. “Through The Fair we encourage Pretoria residents to be proudly local and support local businesses.” “The Brooklyn Design Fair creates a space for likeminded designers to showcase our products to the Pretoria public with an appreciation for contemporary design,” says P.G Needham, creator and owner of Needham Leather Goods. Inge-Marie Kleynhans, owner of FanFairyTastic, a children’s party and entertainment company, adds that she has not missed a single event; “The Fair has given me wonderful exposure, which has in turn generated countless add-on opportunities for my company.” The next event on Friday, 07 November 2014, themed the NovemBEER & Wine Fair, will offer a variety of craft beer, in addition to fine wine, food, fashion and design. Corlie Schoeman, Cleilap ceramics owner, says that there is only one thing she will change; “The Brooklyn Design Fair should take place more often, at least every second week, because I absolutely love it!” For more information about The Brooklyn Design Fair, please visit www.brooklyndesignfair.co.za or find it...
Artmode – A Collaboration of Art, Music and Creativity
Taking place on 13 November 2014 at the Youngblood Gallery in the heart of Cape Town’s City Bowl, Artmode brings artists from all genres together in a collaborative event like no other. The event is supported by World Design Capital, which Cape Town has had the honour of hosting in 2014. As a project that aims to join together some of the top talent across multiple genres of art, music and creativity, all three floors of the Youngblood Gallery will be put to use to showcase a multitude of expressive mediums. Food and drink will also be offered over the course of the event. Artmode provides a platform for both established and budding creatives to express themselves in an environment that aims to inspire the ultimate space to create. The line-up of showcased artists spans across a diversity of styles, mediums, forms and influences. From minimal piano to electronica, to Graffiti Art, mixed media such as skateboard deck design, functional furniture design, live performances, sculptors, painters, dancers and many other acts, attendees will have the chance to interact with artists on the floor throughout the course of the evening. Providing the ideal space for such an event, the Youngblood Gallery was founded in 2010 by Roger Jungblunt, who realised the need to support South Africa’s artistic minds with a space to create and express their talent. The gallery is comprised of multiple floors and a unique open style design that uses light and space to provide a unique backdrop to its showcased projects. Whether it is a live performance taking the imagination to the furthest boundaries, hypnotic electronic beats setting the mood, interpretative dance expressing the range of emotion through movement or contemporary art forms that go beyond the typical forms of art as we know it, Artmode is set to change the face of artistic expression in an event that will unite through the love of art. The line-up of participating artists is growing, with a current list available below. Further details on the gallery can be found at http://youngblood-africa.com. For more information on World Design Capital, please visithttp://www.wdccapetown2014.com....
Run The World: An Instabition By David Tshabalala
Meet the contemporary graphic designer whose creativity stems from the gift of freedom. His artistic flair, buoyant and playful in expression becomes the medium through which he invites the audience to discuss identity and cultural associations. Meet David Tshabalala. A graphic designer Slaying Goliath. David introduces the birth of a revolutionary Women’s Month exhibition, Run The World: An Instabition By David Tshabalala. This groundbreaking concept will be run daily throughout the month of August on Instagram, featuring the profiles of 31 Great Young Women as perceived by the artist. David undertook the project with the passionate intention of commemorating the women of South Africa, by celebrating everyday young women; women who fight to inspire everyday lives. “I want to profile young South African women whom I consider to be the future thought leaders of South Africa. These are young women who may or may not be known under public spotlight, yet, in each of their creative disciplined passions, they illuminate a spirit of solidarity in power. Warrior women who will indeed inherit the...
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