Don’t Miss: Nandipha Mntambo – Umphatsi Wempi
Nandipha Mntambo was blessed to be born in the mountain kingdom of Swaziland – anyone familiar with the magnificent mountain monarchy will know how ubiquitous cattle are, one has to wonder if growing up surrounded by the gentle beasts has anything to do with the makings of the first solo exhibition of Nandipha Mntambo taking place at the Brodie/Stevenson gallery in Craighall in September. Nandipha says her upcoming body of work was in part inspired by some bullfighting she came across in Mozambique; we’re wondering if it was at that bullring just outside Maputo – intrigued, we once stopped and checked it out – it’s really eery, reminiscent of the bygone era of Portuguese occupation of Mozi… Anyway, we’re rambling – go and check out the exhibition for yourself and ponder on this brilliant young artists talent… Titled Umphatsi Wempi – loosely translated as ‘the general charged with overseeing a battle’ – the exhibition comprises several new sculptural works as well as video, photography and drawing. Central to this body of work is the concept of the boundary, particularly as something that constantly shifts and mutates, that is never fixed or static. The boundary between corporeal awareness and revulsion is explored through the artist’s use of raw cowhides, tails and ears, which are cured and sculpted. In Penis Vagina – One-Man Capsule (2009), the boundary between the need to fight and the need for protection is also apparent. Like Mntambo’s earlier piece uMcedo (2009), this work offers a space that one may enter for protection and perhaps preparation, only to emerge when one is ready. The sculpture is both penetrative and encapsulating, an evocative hermaphroditic form that speaks of pure potential. The artist’s interest in the dynamic tension that exists within the self, the push-pull between libido and mortido, life instinct and death drive, also appears in her photographic images. In The Rape of Europa, a reinterpretation of a Picasso sketch of the Minotaur caressing a girl, the artist occupies both roles, and in her recreation of Caravaggio’s painting of Narcissus gazing at his own reflection in a pond, she replaces Narcissus with herself as Zeus in bull form. In the bronze head-and-shoulders bust in the Renaissance tradition, she combines her own feminine features with those of Zeus disguised as a bull. In another new sculpture, Waiting (2009), a cowhide figure disappears into a wall. It is unclear whether the figure is waiting for salvation, or seeking a hiding place from an unknown terror. While the exposed rear of the prostrate form is undoubtedly a gesture of submission, there is also a sensuality and beauty to the figure, imbuing...
If it’s month-end it must be Coalstove
Celebrate month-end Sundays in an arty way with a bunch of enthusiastic film-loving supporters at the jaw-dropping Private Practice rooftop venue in Jozi inner city. They’ll be showing three films made by emerging South African film makers. Sold? If not, read on for Coalstove‘s description, if yes, read on anyway: From the rip-roaring to the ravishing, the energizing to the engaging… FINEST SHORT FILMS BY EMERGING YOUNG FILMMAKERS FROM JOBURG & BEYOND. SUNDAY, 30TH AUGUST 2009 ENTRY R20 6.30 PM FOR 7.00 PM @ PRIVATE PRACTICE NO. 195 JEPPE STREET (ENTRANCE ON BREE…See map below for directions) Kamakastig Land The South African entrant ‘Kammakastig Land’ which was written and directed by Brandon Oelofse, tells the story of Fourie (H.O.Meyer), a young Afrikaans man who sets out on a journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town to scatter his fathers’ ashes into the ocean at Cape Point. Fourie journeys the distance finding along the way a true sense of the man his father was, and by confronting the past ultimately finds his future in the process. The film is said to be a meditation on the current identities that have emerged out of the transition towards the new South Africa and in particular the psyche of the White Afrikaans Male. According to the filmmakers the narrative uses a number of devices – the classic American Western, the Road Movie and parallel narratives to guide its translation, meaning and style. The film was completed in 2007 and as an AFDA honours graduate film garnered ten awards at the AFDA Johannesburg film awards including for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. Dir: Brandon Olofse & Prod: Anthonie van der Walt & Peter Adolphis Nine Miles Beautiful Rebuilding faith, love and family is the long journey home. After a stint in jail, Darren arrives at his run-down family home to confront the aftermath of the tragic event that tore his family apart 18 months ago. He finds a resentful brother confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, a worn-down mother at breaking point and the rusting wreck of the car that he was driving when their lives changed forever. Now Darren must find a way to bridge the gap between guilt, anger, despair and forgiveness to bring his family together again, and begin the journey towards healing they must all share. Prod: Peter Blackburn Prod: Graham Young Love in The Time of Blackouts Directed by : Thabang Phetla FOLLOWED BY A Q&A WITH THE FILMMAKERS IN ATTENDANCE For more information: Call 011 836 8911 Cell: 083 280 1181 Email: info@coalstove.co.za Visit...
Freedom to Dance at Arts Alive
There’s one week to go till the City of Johannesburg’s nearly month-long Arts Alive festival kicks off on the 3rd of September – we’re hoping you’ve already decided which part of the festival calls your name and booked your baby-sitter. This year we’re spoilt for choice with a broad line up of dance, comedy, theatre, film, visual arts, poetry and music to choose from throughout September… We’re going to be covering the Freedom to Dance House and Hip Hop event at Carfax that kicks off the festival – here’s the deal: The stage is set, the line-up has been finalised, finishing touches are being made and the smell of excitement and anticipation is thick in the air. It’s that time of year again… the 2009 17th annual Joburg Arts Alive International Festival set to take place in Johannesburg between the 3rd and 27th of September. In addition to the numerous captivating art disciplines set to grace urban central Johannesburg such as, theatre, dance (from classical to contemporary and street), visual arts, comedy, spoken word and poetry, the festival will also play host to the Arts Alive Freedom to Dance extravaganza, taking place at Carfax – Jozi on Friday the 4th of September 2009. Aimed at youth, this evening will whet the appetite of the toughest music critic with performances by leading house and hip hop DJ’s from South Africa. Guests on the evening will also be privy tothe electric legendary beats of international house sensation Rocco who by reputation exceeds all expectations. A regular on the Europe, USA and Asia house scenes, Rocco’s Deep House is rapidly growing in popularity among South African audiences. Rocco has previously been welcomed to South African shores and has played for an astounding 3000 spectators. His most recent release called “Someday” on Real Tone Records struck a chord with international and South African audiences alike having made its way to the Traxsource’s charts for 3 weeks and already supported by Louie Vega, Mr V. and Laurent Garnier! The House Floor at Carfax will also play host to many talented South African DJ’S including MacG, Mo Flava, Willie, Oskido, Bouer and Monde. And who could forget to mention the infamously popular Black Coffee who began his DJ career in 1994 while still in High School? His Deep/Afro House, Soulful Lounge, and broken beats are known around the country and are testament to his excellence. If Hip Hop is more your scene then get ready for an evening filled with insane beats and wicked rhymes. With appearances by Beatoven, Vigi, and Tholi B the evening is set to rock all the way through to the...
Standard Bank Joy of Jazz & Workshops
Warm up the last winter weekend this August at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival in downtown Johannesburg… Young Jazz musicians take note, they’re running a series of free jazz workshops during the festival: Running from August 27 to 29 in Newtown, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz 2009 line-up features artists from America, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands who will be joined by top performers from South Africa and the African Diaspora. Performers from the African continent include South Africa’s Jonas Gwangwa; Afro Jazz featuring Jimmy Dludlu; Vusi Mahlasela; Brian Thusi; Sterling EQ; the 2009 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for jazz Kesivan Naidoo as well as the Nigerian All Stars featuring Kúnlé Ayo and Rwanda’s Somi. Read more about the artists below… Some of the world’s leading jazz musicians – appearing at this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz which takes place in Newtown from August 27 to 29 – will run free workshops teaching youngsters and musicians the intricacies of the craft. They include acclaimed Swiss harpist Andreas Vollenweider; Canadian trumpeter Ingrid Jensen; American pianist Bob Baldwin and saxophonist Marion Meadows and American jazz vocalist Arlee Leonard. The two groups giving workshops are Netherlands’ popular outfit Room 11 comprising Janne Schra (vocals), Arriën Molema (guitar), Tony Roe (keyboards), Lucas Dols (bass) and Maarten Molema (drums) and Spain’s Sumrrá featuring Manuel Gutiérrez (piano), Xacobeo Martínez Antelo (double bass) and Luis Alberto Rodriguez (LAR) Legido (drums). For more information on the workshops contact Mojalefa Gwangwa at T Musicman on 011 326 0141 or email ar@tmusicman.co.za The itinerary is as follows: Thursday August 27 from 11am to 1.30pm at the following venues: · Music Academy of Gauteng (Daveyton) – Ingrid Jensen · South West Gauteng College (Soweto) – Andreas Vollenweider · Moses Molelekwa Artist Foundation (Tembisa) – Room 11 · Central Johannesburg College (Johannesburg Central) – Marion Meadows and Bob Baldwin · Beverly Hills (Sedibeng – Vereeniging) – Arlee Leonard · Tshwane University of Technology (Tshwane) – Sumrrá For more information on the line-up, venues go to www.standardbankjazz.co.za and www.tmusicman.co.za. More on the line-up: Leading South African songstresses Judith Sephuma and Unathi Nkayi are joining the already impressive line-up at this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. Sephuma – who is regarded as one of the country’s leading jazz and Afro-pop singers and is the recipient of three South African Music Awards (SAMAs) – will perform on the Dinaledi Stage on Friday, August 28. She shares the stage with Spain’s Summra; the Lao Tizer Band featuring violinist Karen Briggs and guitarist Chieli Minucci and Main Ingredient from the US which includes vocalist Cuba Gooding. Over the years,...
2nd Annual Jozi International Comedy Festival
The second annual Jozi International Comedy Festival will be taking place at the end of August featuring a diverse line-up of 7 big hitters….Go Go Go… Last year, HuntaLive brought the broadest selection of comedy styles and material ever seen by Johannesburg fans to the Jozi International Comedy Festival, resulting in an annual event, now sponsored by Nando’s. The Nando’s Comedy Festival promises to be the highlight on the Johannesburg Comedy Calendar for 2009. The Festival, which will run over seven days, will consist of an international stand up theatre show – the “UN Comedy Show”, a late-night stand up show “UNhinged” and a local stand-up competition “Comedy Showdown”. The Nando’s Jozi Comedy Festival will run from 17th August to 23rd August 2009 and tickets can be purchased at Computicket www.computicket.com. Tickets are priced from R150 to R220. SHOW SCHEDULES & TIMES: UN Comedy Show: 17th – 21st August (Monday – Friday) at 20h00 (8pm) And 23rd August (Sunday) at 18h00 (6pm) UNhinged: 21st & 22nd August (Friday & Saturday) at 22h30 The UN Comedy Show will be hosted by international comedy icon, Angelo Tsarouchas (Canada), the larger than life, Actor/Comedian, who is without question, Canada’s next “big thing”. Dubbed “The Hitman of Hilarity”, Angelo definitely exudes star power. His trademark mobster resemblance, burly size and no hold back attitude have put him in high demand on the global comedy stage as well as in television and film projects on both sides of the border. Comedy heavy weight Ahmed Ahmed (Egypt) who regularly performs at The Comedy Store in Hollywood and has toured all across the US and Europe will make his debut appearance in South Africa. He was the winner of the first annual Richard Pryor Award for ethnic comedy at the Edinburgh Festival. He has appeared in several films and television shows such as Executive Decision, Swingers, Roseanne, JAG, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn on Comedy Central, and MTV’s Punk’d with Ashton Kutcher. Comedy legend Steve Best (UK) will wow Jozi fans with his one-liners and props in an extremely visual comedy act. Likened to Steve Martin and Tommy Cooper, Steve has toured with Frank Skinner, Harry Hill, Craig Charles and Omid Djalili. He has performed all around the world including Hong Kong, Norway, The Falkland Islands, Kosovo, Bosnia, Bali, Jakarta and Denmark. After opening for Australia’s top comedian Carl Barron during his SA tour, David Kibuuka (Uganda) will return to the Jozi stage. “Dave” has a unique brand of humour that combines wit and intellect without losing touch with his audiences. He has also opened for the likes of Barry Hilton and John Vlismas on their...
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