Posts

Showing posts from February, 2011

Journey from Douala to Dak'Art 2006

Image
Source: http://exitour.netfirms.com/calendar.html Goddy Leye and Artists from the West: 27/03/06 departure from Douala The group travels by bus to Limbe/Cameroon where they will catch the ship to Calabar after a night’s cruise. Because ofthe general census in Nigeria  the previous week, everything is overbooked and th ship is disturbingly full. The routers spend the night in the shipyard . 28/03/06 departure for Calabar The exit routers take a taxi at 5 A.M to the small town of Idenau where they manage to get seats in a « flying boat » We finally leave at 11 AM. Arrival in Calabar in the evening. The artists despite their efforts and the help of a few people fail to locate the immigration office supposed to be on the beach. The night is spent in a hotel close to the beach. 29/03/06 departure for Lagos This morning, the efforts are fruitful and the pasports are stamped after long negociations. · The exit routers take off for a night ride to Lagos.   On our way we are asked in a very imp

Goddy Leye Has Died

Image
He was to bring hope and newness to a Continent. So loving in all things African..what a loss Africa has..what a loss! T his man has been an inspiration for artists especially in regards to video art. He was one of the first African artists to embrace the medium of Video Art and was an inspiration to push forward ideas of progressive thinking for Africans and was inspirational in regards to real genuine development for Africa. He will be sadly missed! and ---- Goddy Leye b.1965 - 2011 Cameroon/Netherlands N.B. Source: http://www.goddyleye.lecktronix.net/about.html The Story Behind My Work  For a decade now, I have been busy exploring my memory. It all started with painting and drawing. I would look for old signs and symbols, remove them from their initial settings and place them in a totally new environment, thus providing room for the expansion of meaning. The signs and symbols were selected on the basis of their age but also and more so because of their beauty. They were fundamentall

Tracey Rose | Waiting for God

Image
Tracey Rose | Waiting for God What makes her so marvellous? What makes her work so vital, so powerful, so poignant, so present day? What it boils down to is simplicity itself. Communication with others, for she is a facilitator for creativity: selflessly allowing others to be creative all around her and this is intoxicating. Her foul language is justified and even expected as she hides behind the guises and disguises of Art; she becomes the art and generously allows herself to be herself with the humps and bumps of her lady lumps, she is so exciting. Her show is creating a buzz all around the world - from Jo’burg to NY to London to Sydney. The global artistic community are anticipating a show of such ferociousness with excitement that is Tracey’s evocative disruption that has yet been seen in this rather conservative post Apartheid South Africa. This show is a milestone; a mid-career celebration of making it thus far and still being able to sustain a voice of reason and creating an atm

Stuart Hardcastle | African Drumming in Liverpool

Image
This is Stuart Hardcastle doing his magic in Liverpool: Drumming in a Social Way Check out the Conductor - the man with the pony tail, that is our Stuart Hardcastle...Wonderful stuff that has encouraged a community in Liverpool to take up the sounds of Africa via Stuart Hardcastle's interest in African drumming - the Liverpublian community looks positively marvellous.

African Now | March 2011

Image
Africa Now: Modern & Contemporary African Art  Wednesday 16 March 2011 New Bond Street, London      Africa Now Online Catalogue  To arrange a free and confidential auction valuation or for further advice on buying or selling at auction, please contact: UK Catherine Harrington Gioulekas +44 (0) 20 7468 8216 USA Morgan Osthimer +1 (212) 644 9020 africanow@bonhams.com If you want to be kept informed about your area(s) of interest click here There has been an explosion of interest in modern and contemporary art from Africa, and Bonhams 'Africa Now' auction remains at the forefront of the market. Created by artists from a multitude of cultures, African contemporary art reflects the complex heritage of this dynamic continent. Sales include the very best of post-war and contemporary art from across the African continent in various media including painting, sculpture, and drawing. Of particular interest are works by artists including El Anatsui, Marlene Dumas, Yinka Shonibare, Jimo

RSA Animate - First as Tragedy, Then as Farce

Image
Here are some interesting thinkers that attempt to communicate some complex ideas that are fascinating. In this short RSA Animate, renowned philosopher Slavoj Zizek investigates the surprising ethical implications of charitable giving. The 21st Century Enlightenment Matthew Taylor explores the meaning of 21st century enlightenment, how the idea might help us meet the challenges we face today, and the role that can be played by organisations such as the RSA. This animation may shed light of Tunisia and Egypt and our understanding of new technology and the possibilities beyond revolt and into a greater understanding of ourselves through art and global connection - The Empathic Civilisation: Bestselling author, political adviser and social and ethical prophet Jeremy Rifkin investigates the evolution of empathy and the profound ways that it has shaped our development and our society.

NOAH'S ARK | NATIONAL PARK

Image
This is peace on earth. This blends religions and makes us all realise we are all praying for a better world.

South African Cartoonist

Image
I adore the writing by Sandi Wells. It's so punchy and knowing, edgy and honest. Great stuff!  A Conversation with Dr. Nanda Soobben: South Africa's Internationally Acclaimed Political Cartoonist Sandi Wells | AfricanColours.com February, 2011 Nanda Soobben  is a man with a remarkable journey.  With a successful career spanning three decades, he is probably best known for being South Africa’s only “Black” cartoonist during the apartheid years. Nanda’s accomplishment, both internationally and nationally, is impressive – certainly, there are too many to mention here but readers can find a wealth of information on the internet.  What makes Nanda Soobben different is that he is so well informed, very clear-headed about his opinions and is a wonderfully skilled artist; all the elements needed for great cartooning. I first met Nanda in 1993 when he had already made an indelible mark on South African history.  At the time, he had recently returned from Brazil where he painted a 10 met

Fanizani Akuda 1932-2011

Image
Left: Humble, gentle, talented; The late Fanizani Akuda (Pic: African Fashion- MySpace) It is with great sadness that the National Gallery of Zimbabwe learned of  the death of veteran sculptor and artist Mr. Fanizani Akuda  on Saturday 5 February 2011. Akuda has been long recognized as a sculptor of significance due to his unique and somewhat humorous signature style work that he has consistently been producing since the sixties. A humble man, he was abounding with warmth, humility, and a piercing astuteness when it came to understanding the world of art, his position in it and that of the founders and architects of the stone sculpture movement. Fanizani was an extremely family centered man and I recall many a time sitting with him and his dear and beloved wife while he would explain the meaning of his work both as it appeared and what was actually behind its appearance. He would lovingly go through each and every piece lined up neatly on his shelf exploding with laughter and mirth. On

Egyptian Revolution

Image
This is a message from two artists: Moataz Nasr from Egypt and Safaa Erruas from Morocco I have so much respect for Egypt and it's people. As the water cannons explode onto the public the crowd drop down onto their knees to pray. What a courageous people - what a wonderful act from the innocent. The bravery seen today must be seen in the eyes of the world - Change must happen immediately before one more person is killed. This is shocking footage in what is becoming an increasingly worrying situation for the Egyptian people. All eyes are on the Egyptian Police and Armed Forces and I am hoping that stability prevails sooner than later. The President must be looking on too. The question is how many more people will have to die unnecessarily? TO EGYPT | The world salutes your bravery!

Global Feminisms by Tracey Rose

Image
What a performance. Tracey's art is created with a wonderful sense of courage and danger. She has that Ali G quality - who knows what will come from her outspoken works of honesty?

TRACEY ROSE OF SOUTH AFRICA

Image
Interview with Tracey Rose