Celebrate Women Artists in Aug – do it girls!
If you have not been to the awesome ConHill in Braamfontein/Parktown yet, here is your chance, ladies and guys get your friends together and go and celebrate some of our most prolific female artists in SA. If you go on Sunday the 11 August, you get to meet the artists’s and chat to them about their work – a rare opportunity indeed. Go Go Go. To celebrate National Women’s Month in August, an exhibition of contemporary photography and poetry by 14 South African women is being held at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. Titled Isis X, this exhibition seeks to evoke the spirit of the mythological Egyptian goddess and, at the same time, pays tribute to the creativity of her modern-day earth-bound counterparts. The exhibition, which can be viewed from now to the 31 August 2007, is being presented by Botsotso, a grouping of South African poets, writers and artists that has been in existence for 13 years. The four female photographers taking part in the Isis X exhibition are Neo Ntsoma, Suzy Bernstein, Riana Wiechers and Anna Varney. The latter two women will also be displaying their poetic prowess, and joining them are fellow poets elsbeth e, Sumeera Dawood, Lisemelo Tlale, Elizabeth Trew, Anet Kemp, Baitse Mokiti, Myesha Jenkins, Arja Salafranca, Makhosazana Xaba and Bongekile Mbanjwa. On display are 50 photographs and poems taken from the book Isis X, edited by Allan Kolski Horwitz and available through Botsotso Publishing. “Such an openly women-only venture might attract projections of stereotyped feminism or effeminate style,” commented poet Eva Kowalski of the book, “[but] neither is valid concerning this intelligent, varied, yet ultimately coherent anthology.” Similarly, the Isis X exhibition aims to reflect the humorous personal insights, poignant social observations and spirited expressions of anger and hope reflected by the female contributors in the book. It is hoped that visitors to the exhibition will conclude that a female artist’s pen and lens are, indeed, mightier than the sword. The opening will take place at 6pm for 6.30pm on 2 August, in the atrium of the exhibition space at the Women’s Jail at the Constitution Hill Complex in Kotzé Street, Hillbrow. Keketso Semoko (Isidingo actress and women’s rights activist) and Odette Geldenhuys (legal rights activist and documentary film maker) are the guest speakers, and several of the poets will also give readings of their work. There will be a walkabout for the public on Saturday, 11 August at 11am, during which the photographers and poets will be present to discuss their work. In addition, there will be an evening of women’s poetry at the same venue at 6pm on Friday, 24 August. This will feature...
Canadian Movie @ the Alliance
Movie buffs and those of you interested in the French language and culture, make sure to catch the screening of Canadian Oscar-winning (Best Foreign Language 2004) movie Les Invasions Barbares. More on the film at IMDB and see the synopsis below – free entry. Les Invasions Barbares Fri 10 August 2007 6pm Language: French – English subtitles Not suitable for persons under the age of 16 years Free entrance Venue: Alliance Française of Johannesburg 17 Lower Park Drive corner Kerry Road Parkview (opposite Zoo Lake) For more information: 011 646 1169 culture.jhb@alliance.org.za Les invasions barbares Rémy, divorced, in his early fifties, is hospitalized. His ex-wife Louise immediately asks their son Sébastien, now enjoying a successful career in London, to come home. Sébastien hesitates; after all, he and his father haven’t had much to say to one another in years. He relents, however, and flies to Montréal with his French fiancée. Upon his arrival, Sébastien stops at nothing to obtain a clear picture of his father’s state of health and help make things easier for him during the difficult times ahead. He uses his wits, cajoles his family and friends, shakes up the system and even resorts to bribery in order to bring a greater measure of comfort – and happiness – to his father’s life. In the meantime, relatives, friends and lovers stop by Rémy’s bedside to offer their support, settle their accounts… and reflect on their own lives. Seventeen years later, the decline of the american empire continues… Rémy, divorcé, la cinquantaine, est à l’hôpital. Son ex-femme Louise rappelle d’urgence leur fils Sébastien, installé à Londres. Ce dernier hésite, son père et lui n’ont plus rien à se dire depuis longtemps. Finalement, il accepte de revenir à Montréal pour aider sa mère et soutenir son père. Dès son arrivée, Sébastien remue ciel et terre, joue de ses relations, bouscule le système de toutes les manières possibles pour adoucir les épreuves qui attendent Rémy. Il ramène aussi au chevet de Rémy la joyeuse bande qui a marqué son passé : parents, amis et anciennes maîtresses. Que sont-ils devenus à l’heure des “invasions barbares” ? L’irrévérence, l’amitié et la truculence sont-elles toujours au rendez-vous ? L’humour, l’épicurisme, le désir peuplent-ils toujours leurs rêves ? A l’heure des invasions barbares, le déclin de l’empire américain...
Represent Recommends: Sundays in Soweto
It’s mosdef the place to be to forget your Sunday Blues as winter winds down towards Spring – join Levi’s ekasi at the Backroom in SO-WE-TO for the month of August… With a line up of some of Rep’s favourite muso’s and DJ’s including 340ml, Lira, Kwani and Khenzero, the old adage of “you don’t want to miss this” rings true for four weekends in a row. Levi’s® Vintage Sunday’s moves to Soweto for the month of August In August Levi’s® Vintage Sundays moves to Soweto for the first time, taking over The Backroom every Sunday night, and giving this vibrant township even more vibe to close off the weekend. A true reflection of our country’s diverse and inspiring musical wealth, the acts on show are bound to get the venue all heated up with their uniquely South African sounds. It’s going to be an incredible journey into the heart of good music. Make sure you’re along for the ride. The weekly attraction will be homeboy and hero DJ Kenzhero, the man who knows how to turn the party on and drop the tunes that we all love. His style moves from Latin and Soul to Jazz-tinged Hip Hop, to all-out Funk and rare wonders. He plays all over, but he’s always on the mark. On the 5th it’s all about hip hop. T.R.U.E. get it all going with their uniquely crafted style that place as much emphasis on lucid lyricism as it does on groundbreaking beats. The crowds adore them – and they are proud to give the love back. Zuluboy is also up on the night, keeping true to his roots with a modern mixture of traditional rhythms and future beats. His energy is boundless – so be prepared to be swept up by it. Albert Frost is joined by the twin talents of Selaelo Selota and Lira to take it further on the 12th. Albert’s the master of the laidback groove, but don’t let that fool you, because his organic, intricate blues guitar compositions have been known to bewitch audiences around the country. He’ll be doing just this at The Backroom. Selaelo Selota and Lira take the stage as a duo, complementing each other’s powerful personas with a shared vision for live brilliance. Selaelo’s genre-defying jazz-drenched music combined with Lira’s super-sultry, heavenly voice. What a treat. On the 19th Echoes and Kwani Experience take the stage. Echoes are three friends with a common passion: beautiful music. This love is brought to life with their unique vocal melodies and guitar accompaniments. They believe in remaining fresh and are amazingly original onstage. Kwani Experience are the 8-piece who always give...
Lolo Veleko @ the Goodman
Catch moving and shaking “street photographer” and artist Nontsikelelo “Lolo” Veleko at one of our favourite galleries, the Goodman in Jan Smuts avenue, closing on the 11 August. You can read more about Lolo in an interview on AfricanColours where they describe Lolo’s backstory as: Nontsikelelo Veleko started photography as a part time study course at the Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg. Her first major photographic exhibition was “Seeing Women”, which took place at the Market Photo Workshop in 2005. This year she was selected to represent the Market Photo Workshop as participant at the Bieler Fototage, a Swiss photographic encounter. She was born in Bodibe, North West Province, South Africa and studied graphic design at Cape Technicon. In 1999 she enrolled at the Market Photo Workshop. Focusing on issues of the identity, Mute!Scream!Mute! examines how people present themselves to the outside world and thus construct their identities. Through the use fashion and clothing Nontsikelelo Veleko questions perceived notions of beauty. She focuses her lens on those around her, but at times she also turns the lens towards herself, posing both in guises of various identities and representing herself in self-portraiture. Focusing on issues of the identity, Mute!Scream!Mute! examines how people present themselves to the outside world and thus construct their identities. Through the use fashion and clothing Nontsikelelo Veleko questions perceived notions of beauty. She focuses her lens on those around her, but at times she also turns the lens towards herself, posing both in guises of various identities and representing herself in self-portraiture.The exhibition comprises three series of photographs. http://www.notblackenough.lolo/, a project that emerged out of Nontsikelelo Veleko’s early interests in issues surrounding identity in 2002. In this series of photographs she uses the self to explore South Africa’s mixed cultural heritage, assuming other peoples identities by donning different clothes and props. Her images challenge perceptions about identity that are based on appearances and historical assumptions (Murinik 2007). http://www.notblackenough.lolo/ explores Veleko’s identity in terms of the way other black people view her. Placed in the context of urban life, Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder, continues Veleko’s exploration of identity. Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder is a study, documentation and constructing of urban street fashion culture in Johannesburg, South Africa. It specifically looks at urban fashion around Johannesburg’s city centers and surrounding townships. Veleko uses this series of photographs to examine how people present themselves to the outside world and construct their identities. These portraits challenge perceptions of beauty, examining the very act of judging others in terms of the external identities that they project. A new photographic series of Self Portraits will also be exhibited...
Arts Alive brings on Spring
Spring is definitely on it’s way as more and more events fill the September calender. Arts Alive announces a hot line-up for this years festival including the electro maestro Frederik Galliano, world music heavyweights Mory Kante and Hermeto Pascoal and a dance and film segment for some flavour on the side. Here’s more: Newtown, Johannesburg is set to come alive with the sounds and sights of the annual Arts Alive September Festival, which boasts an array of compelling artistic offerings for Joburg residents to indulge in! Kicking off on August 31st, the festivities will continue throughout the month of September, and include artistic programmes from a diverse set of disciplines – theatre, dance, film, comedy, music and the visual arts will all be part of the Arts Alive programme this year. The annual festival, hosted by the City of Joburg, has become synonymous with an exceptional, accessible and engaging artistic programme that harnesses artistic talent from various parts of the world to create an incredible smorgasbord of cultural events. Arts Alive is housed in the Community Development Department of the Joburg City. The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Community Development Nandi Mayathula-Khoza said: “Arts Alive is making a meaningful contribution towards the City’s vision where community development, personal growth and social mobility are enhanced so that challenges of poverty, vulnerability, inequality and social exclusion can be fundamentally addressed”. True to tradition, this years Arts Alive September Festival 2007 has secured the services of musical giants such as Cuba’s Omar Sosa, Frederic Galliano, from France, the world-renowned balafon playing genius Mory Kante, Vieux Farka Toure, son of the late, great Ali Farka Toure and Brazilian, Hermeto Pascaol amongst others. “Once again, the City of Johannesburg will be home to the crème of the world’s cultural and artistic talent over an entire month period, comments Steven Sack Director for Arts and Culture. “ From Newtown right through to Soweto, Arts Alive will be providing Joburg residents an incredible array of arts and culture offerings. We’re bringing Brazil, Mali, France, Guinea, Cuba, India, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe right to Joburg’s doorstep in the form of an incredible artistic line-up, and really encourage Joburger’s to shake off the winter blues and enjoy the festivities brought to you courtesy of Arts Alive. The programme includes a must-see visual arts tribute to Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, which will be hosted at the Hector Pieterson Museum throughout the month of September. Also on the visual arts programme is the highly acclaimed Africa Remix exhibition and the Sasol Wax Art Award held at Johannesburg Art Gallery. Arts 02 The dance element of Arts is an exemplar...
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