Everyday life through the lens

Third Worlds: Model Cities Essay

2010-06-08T05:50:00.000-07:00

The exhibition Third Worlds: Model Cities was displayed at the Michaelis Gallery at the University of Cape Town. Tessa Dowling the Professor of South African Languages at UCT, Harry Garuba the Professor of English and African Studies at UCT, Svea Josephy the Senior Lecturer of Photography at Michaelis School of Fine Art, Carson Smuts an architect and Noeleen Murray lecturer at UWC and architect all used their specific knowledge to comment on the fact that South Africa is a known as a “third world”. This collaboration and mixture of genres challenges the viewers’ ideas by comparing and contrasting places in South Africa that were named after other conflict zones in the world. By challenging the icons and structures built in these model cities the question is asked why do these places share the same name and how does the conflict that has happened in these places effect how we see these structures? By using fine art, photography, literature, architecture and language the various collaborators were able to illustrate a dynamic viewpoint of what a city is. These artists confronted the idealistic planning of a city and how these plans change when reality and the people who live in the cities alter this utopian concept.

The exhibition is a result of GIPCA (the Gordon Institute for Performing and Creative Arts) that was established to enhance the arts at the University of Cape Town and to broaden the range of collaborative and interdisciplinary projects. (Media Update 2010) The exhibition uses the theme of architecture and the urban landscapes of South Africa, to look beyond the structures and to question what and who forms a part of these model cities? The central part of the exhibition is constructed around the abstraction of Cape Town structures and removing them from their original contexts.

The artists create a third realm where the structures have been abstracted and the viewer is forced to look at the structure as the construction was initially designed. By adding intellectual works such as Svea Josephy’s photographs and Tessa Dowling’s use of language, the viewer is reassured by the reality of these places and the people who live there. The most important part of this new realm is that it looks at these places from a new perspective. In the past art works the people of these impoverish places were transformed into an “other” by tourists and outsiders judging them and not understanding their culture. The title “Third World” has a negative connotation referring to these places to be inferior to that of the “First world” countries. “Third worlds” are known for their poverty and economic problems but when thinking of South Africa as a “Third world” we are confronted with various spaces some that fit this label and others that are so different that the label of “First world” would be more appropriate. This balance of the very rich and poor can be seen in the way spaces are developed and destroyed by the people living in them.

The exhibition emerged from an interaction between two previous bodies of work ‘Twin Towers’ and ‘Desire Lines, Space, Memory and Identity in the Post-Apartheid City’. Both bodies of work explore the aspects of South Africa’s architectural landscape and the history that lies beneath it. The first project Svea Josephy’s ‘Twin Towers’ presented photographs that demonstrated suburbs and informal settlements in South Africa such as Athlone, Barcelona, Sun City and Delft. She looked at why these spaces had the identical names of other famous cities throughout the world and the fact that they shared the same name allowed a direct comparison of the different location. (Capetowntoday.co.za, 2007)

This was a new way at looking at the impoverish sites of South Africa and comparing it to the more lavish equivalent. Svea Josephy created a new way of looking at these places by showing both the reality of how these places truly look but also the humanity of the people who live there. She creates a fresh perspective from the past issues such as migrancy, forced removals, resettlement and economic living conditions. Josephy’s photographs illustrate the history of these settlements and the actions of political figures that influenced why these people were forced to live there. Elements from South Africa’s past are still effecting why and where people have chosen to live. Colonialism, Apartheid and issues throughout Africa such as war, severe poverty and natural disasters have shaped the urban landscape. Josephy is able to create this original outlook because her photographs focus on the everyday and ordinary places. Josephy looks at the political influences that dictates the naming and renaming of a place and how with each changing of governments the past will always influence the future. (Capetowntoday.co.za, 2007)

Hyde Park, London, England

Hyde Park, Mitchells Plain, Cape Town

Both these images were featured on the same page of a newspaper in South Africa reflecting two instants of life. In the above images Josephy started comparing and contrasting a location in South Africa that has the same name as a place in England. By placing them together the differences become visibly apparent. Hyde Park in Mitchells Plain has been photographed in a way to highlight the poverty of the location. The photograph of Hyde Park in England is the complete opposite, this tourist theme park destination with its scenic green grass and lounging chairs is a world apart from the harsh reality of Cape Town’s ghetto. (Murray, N and Josephy, S)
The lounge chairs act as a symbol of wealth and power of the first world. By placing these images together the history between these two countries is apparent and it can even be said that England’s involvement in South Africa’s History through Colonialism played a role in why Mitchell’s Plain is the way it is today. Colonialism was the first structure to create the segregation between white people and any race that was different to the English. This led to the formation of Apartheid that removed people from their homes and placed them in areas where they no longer had a choice where they had to live and weren’t able to improve it.

Her exploration of naming a space is explained by South Africa’s history with the influence of Colonialism, names such as Delft, The Hague which is both found in the Netherlands and Athlone which is found in Ireland. When Apartheid was finally over the influence of disaster was apparent when labelling places such as Tsunami, Kosovo, Rwanda, Harare, Vietnam and Beirut. She states “Stylistically (and in terms of the photographic methodology) I see this work at the intersection of the inspirational work of South African photographer, David Goldblatt’s perceptive studies of the South African landscape and its structures while being influenced heavily by the German Düsseldorf school in terms of composition and heightened colour.” This is reflected in Josephy’s photographs and the images intertwine with the other genres because they add the dimension of reality to the exhibition. The photographs create a window into these places reminding the viewer that the cities are not perfect models; they are filled with real people who have authentic and strenuous problems. (Capetowntoday.co.za, 2007)

Lansdowne fire station near Kuwait taxi rank Khayelitsha

Entertainment Centre, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Noeleen Murray explains why they chose to represent various structures in South Africa: “We looked at the naming of places taken from the early 1990’s of intense moments of war; liberation and reconciliation.” (Bell, S, 2010) In the above two images you can see the comparison of the Entertainment centre in Kuwait City with the Lansdowne fire station in Kuwait City Khayelitsha. “Compare the images of Kuwait taxi rank after the shootings and violence with the image of Kuwait city which was destroyed by Iraqi forces when they invaded Kuwait,” said Josephy. (Bell, S, 2010) This comparison of aerial photographs displays a surprising spacious, neat, clean streets and the appealing blue of the sea in Kuwait City is mirrored by the blue swimming pool in Khaylitsha. The aerial viewpoint allows the viewer to look at these places in an abstracted form merely shapes squares and circular blocks.

The reason why a place in Khayelitsha has the same name as a city in the Middle East is because of the terrible taxi wars that resulted in various shootings in the area. When naming the place they thought it was appropriate to name it after a country that is known for its war and conflict. Even though these areas share a name that is known for misery and conflict the images of these places do not reflect this. The opposite is shown Kuwait City photograph is similar to something you would see in a travel magazine encouraging people to come to this place. The Khayelitsha photograph does the same the fact that Josephy used an aerial viewpoint gives the location an elegant feel and changes the viewers’ idea of what they thought the “squatter camps” would look like.

Language is used in this exhibition both in the traditional sense by using the artist statement to explain the numerous concepts of the exhibition and text is also used to demonstrate the details of each work e.g. the titles of the work, which artist created the work etc. Language is incorporated in a unique way; specific text was placed underneath the photographs creating a line that transports the viewer through the exhibition. This subtle line was placed there with the intention to highlight the way the people who live in these structures have created these words and added their own meanings to them. This glossary of new terms translates the meanings of these new words but also tries to look at the people who live in these places without ‘othering’ them. Language is the type of genre that can stop the viewer from gazing at these people in a critical and judgemental manner like many photographers, planners and architects may do. (Murray, N and Josephy, S)

The text allows us to learn things about the dwellings the people live in but also the conditions they live with daily. This text displays various words in Xhosa such as ‘i-apstayis” from the English word upstairs referring to a double storey shack and “isitena/iziten” which means brick describing a brick house. These new words are used to describe the people living in these dwellings, “ezimbacwini” a person who lives in a bad quality shack and “imbacu” someone who has no place to live. There are phrases that are used to distinguish between people who live in good and bad quality shacks. “Ndihala ezitoyilethi” (I live in the toilets) means that this person has a good quality shack that is near running water and toilets and “Ndihlala ezimbacwini” (I live in poverty) refers to shacks that are far away from the vital amenities. (Murray, N and Josephy, S)

The role of the architects can be seen in the models or sculptures of famous land marks both in South Africa and in the other places in the world. By creating these mini models and using a specially designed machine that places down hundreds of thin layered pieces it can achieve the exact proportions but in a miniature size. By placing these structures on white pedestals in a gallery the context of these models change into that of a sculpture illustrating to the viewer the reason why these structures have become so iconic. Structures such as the Cape Town bridges, Disa Towers known as “the tampon towers” and the circular cooling towers all have a simplistic modernistic architectural style that suit the model city concept. Displaying these sculptures strips them of their original context and focuses only on the architectural design. By displaying the buildings in this way the architects are able to demonstrate what the ideals were for Cape Town and how the structures would function in a greater urban culture.
The architects found a way to compare the Green Point stadium that was linked to the informal settlement of Kosovo in Cape Town with the replica of the Statue of Liberty in Kosovo. These sculptures then connect with the photographic work and continue the comparing and contrasting of these locations. The sculptures that are being compared are slightly different from the other sculptures on normal pedestals. The South African sculpture of the Cape Town stadium is placed on top of a clear plexi glass pedestal. Directly below the South African sculpture placed upside down is the model of the statue of liberty, the artists have chosen to display the sculptures this way to make the viewer think what influences the naming of a city. They are demonstrating how the histories of other cities can influence the way we name our cities and how the cities function.

Three Dimensional Models of Cooling Towers

By using new media the artists were able to create an interaction with both artwork and the viewer. The various shaped cards that were available to the viewer to hold up to the screen and immediately see the three dimensional building on the screen creates an excitement for the viewer because they feel part of the artwork. Although this encourages an interaction with the artwork the viewer is still limited to what they can do with this model. The viewer can only look at the model, no alterations can be made and this refers to way an ideal city is planned. The power remains with the people who create these places and the political powers who name these places. The general public doesn’t have any control and many don’t have a choice where they must stay.

This collaboration exhibition created a platform for a photographer, language experts and architects to combine their skills. They were able to create a unified body of work that functions together to comment on South Africa’s urban structures. The photographs focus on the naming of a place and why certain places in South Africa have the same names as other famous locations in other parts of the world. The sculptures were able to challenge why the structures are so well known, to abstract them and strip them from their context. When concentrating on what a city is made of we see that the city’s history is major factor in how the city is formed. When creating a city the utopian idea of the perfect city is what architects strive for but once the structures are built and function in reality this idea is very difficult to maintain.
Bibliography:

Magazine Article:
1. Bell, S, 2010, Interesting overview of different worlds and living spaces, Cape Times, 26 February
Online Resources:
1. Bizcommunity.com, 2010, Third Worlds: Model Cities at the Michaelis Gallery, Available Online: http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/428/42825.html, Last Viewed: 31 March 2010

2. Capetowntoday.co.za, 2007, "Twin Town" by Svea Josephy, Available Online: http://www.capetowntoday.co.za/Art/Various/Twin-Town.htm Last Viewed: 31 March 2010

3. Malcomess, B, Svea Josephy at Bell-Roberts, Available Online: http://www.artthrob.co.za/07dec/reviews/bellroberts.html, Last viewed: 31 March 2010

4. Media Update, 2010, Third Worlds: Model Cities exhibition, Available Online: http://mediaupdate.co.za/default.aspx?IDStory=22472, Last Viewed: 31 March 2010

5. Murray, N and Josephy, S, Notes towards an alternative glossary of (south) African architecture, Available Online: http://www.africancitiesreader.org.za/reader/chapters/25_NM.pdf, Last viewed 31 March 2010

6. Postamble, 2010, Exhibition: Third Worlds: Model Cities, Available Online: http://www.postamble.org/News/View.aspx?Articleid=16, Viewed: 31 March 2010

7. Sorensen, L, 2001, Modernization and the Third World, Available Online: http://the_imperfect_planet.tripod.com/sorensenportfolio/id10.html, Viewed: 31 March 2010

8. Wilson, P, 2010, Third Worlds: Model Cities exhibition, Available Online: http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=23854, Last viewed: 31 March 2010

9. Wilson, P, 2010, Third Worlds: Model Cities, Available Online: http://www.pwmc.co.za/client-news/1002-third-worlds-model-cities-michaelis.html, Last Viewed: 31 March 2010

Essay: Nontsikelelo Veleko 'Wonderland'

2009-07-26T15:37:00.000-07:00

Nontsikelelo Veleko’s Wonderland Essay
By Nadia Arnold

Gone With...
FDB Fashion Studios Rockville, Soweto, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2008

Wafak’ingoma Phakathi
Kwam, Umdloti, KwaZulu Natal, 2007

Nontsikelelo Veleko was awarded the very prestigious 2008 Standard Bank Young Artist award for her Wonderland exhibition. She is the second photographer to win the award and her exhibition was displayed at the South African National Gallery. Wonderland is a photographic journey of the youth culture of South Africa. She portrays this culture by creating portraits of these people in their environment. She focuses on the fashion they experiment with and how they use art forms such as graffiti for expression. By demonstrating various labels she highlights how the culture is shaped by these products. She also uses herself, her identity and her success to understand herself and where she fits into this group.

Veleko was born in 1977 in Bodibe in the North West Province but grew up in Cape Town where she matriculated at the Luhlaza High School in Khaylitsha. Her father was a musician but her main artistic inspirations came from her art teacher Mr Ackerman and John Fleetwood at the Market Photo Workshop. She studied graphic design at Cape Technicon in 1995 and then photography from 1999-2004 at the Market Photo Workshop. (1. Anon, 2009) She came under the spotlight after being nominated for the MTN New Contemporaries Award in 2003 but it was at the 2006 New York exhibition of contemporary South African art ‘Judgements’ where she achieved international attention. She now lives and works in Johannesburg and the vibrant street fashion society is where her inspiration for her work comes from. (Murinik, T, 2007)

She uses fashion to highlight the issues of identity found in the vibrant youth of South Africa. She also questions the notion of beauty, by encapsulating her subjects and even herself, that have used fashion in way most people would think is too bright or just awkward. (Murinik, T, 2007) Her interest in fashion can be seen in Wonderland but also in other projects such as http://www.notblackenough.lol/ . In this project she used the clothes as tools to challenge identity based on aesthetics and historical background. In her project Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder she captures the edgy fashion of downtown Johannesburg and commented “I look at fashion and how it creates identity, because fashion plays with identity. It’s fun and it’s like play –my clothes aren’t me, I just have fun.” (Info Provided: Anon, 2009)

Identity is a common theme she uses to really question who these people are. With the influence of South Africa’s past it has created a way for the youth to break away and create a new form of identity. Now more than ever people are aware of their own identity or image. People’s identities are a vital part of who they are because it is a way for these people to be individuals in world of millions. Our identity and how we display this is done by fashion, how we dress is a way for people to express this individuality. At the same time that the fashion is an expression tool it can also be a way for people to judge you and place you into a certain box. Veleko portrays her subjects from the streets more as glamorous models but not so it can become a trend to follow but more to capture their individual uniqueness.

As seen in the above portraits the pose is very important Veleko has captured these people in way that represents something about themselves. The photograph of the lady is confident and strong. This image tells us that this is the type of women that knows she is sexy, because of the visible feminine top and pink bra. She has chosen to mix the sexy feminine elements, with tough male aspects, seen in her choice of shoes and baggy pants. The image has been taken in bright light with the streets in the background acting as her backdrop. The image of the man has a very different feel; Veleko has also captured a certain pose that is more relaxed. This man defiantly has a style of his own because he has deliberately matched his shoes to his jacket and his pants matches his top. With the choice of more softer light and shallow depth field there is more focus on the subject.

Veleko has used a playful selection of images in the Wonderland series, she incorporates portraits in environment, landscapes, she documents graffiti in surrounding areas and utilises self portraits to define her identity. Wonderland at first glance is a light playful place but by taking a deeper look into the images it is more than just a fun and amusing space. Wonderland is a representation of the identity of an important part of South African youth culture. This culture is vivacious and searches for a way to fit into the dynamics of the country.

She states 'In one of the (www.notblackenough.lolo) portraits... I look totally English: with this wig, standing in a pose looking high and mighty saying, "I am what I am. I'm all that you need". When people see that image, they don't think it's me. I notice this on a daily basis that people struggle to keep up with what I look like... I'm so much of a chameleon. So I'm ready to say, if people call me "coloured", or if people call me not black enough, I'm all this, I'm all that you need. This is Lolo.' (Murinik, T, 2007) Veleko describes herself as chameleon, illustrating that her identity is changing and evolving. She takes her personal problems with race, how people classify her and she tries to demonstrate that labels are not appropriate in the new South Africa. She is who she is and placing her in a category such as black or coloured is not the only thing that defines her.
After receiving comments like “you too thin for a black girl” and “you don’t walk like a black girl” from black people, she noticed that peoples’ judgements based purely on what you look like and not for whom you are. (1. Anon, 2009) These comments obviously inspired her to challenge these mindsets in her work. She incorporated critical comments into a piece for Wonderland, which she entitled ‘Self Portrait’. This was by far the best piece of the exhibition even though it is a more mixed media image the use of the graffiti styled text and drawings fits in with the concept of Wonderland. This is such a vital image because it displays her identity but the twist is that the identity has been determined by others. She has also used the use of race to refer to how South African’s past has programmed us to judge people depending on race.

Self-portrait,
Cape Town, Johannesburg, 2008

The choice of an incoherent layout where the images are all different sizes relates to Alice in Wonderland. Although there are no obvious references to rabbits, smoking caterpillars, mad haters or playing cards Veleko has chosen to transport the fictional characters of the story and create a contemporary twist on the popular tale. She has used the metaphor of a wonderland to transport her viewers into a world that is dynamic, colourful and has some mystery. (Bosman, N, 2009) She describes wonderland in this quote, “Wonderland is what you make it. It’s love, prejudice, tea, coffee; it’s anything. It’s a transitional state. It’s about young people en route – en route in life, into adulthood and in this country, which is itself en route.” (Bosman, N, 2009) She mixes the spaces of both public arenas to intimate settings by displaying anything from a private element of a bedroom to the public domain of the street. As Alice falls down the rabbit hole and finds a world of strange things, Veleko has found her very own Alice in Wonderland in and around every angle and bend of South Africa.
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After accepting the Standard bank award Veleko said, “This award means that someone in my own country has noticed and acknowledged my ideas that I would like to convey to the world about Africa and Africans. Therefore I am looking forward to collaborating with many Africans to tell our side of the story. I know that Wim Botha, Kathryn Smith and William Kentridge have won it in the past so it shows me that I am on the right path.” (Info Provided: Anon, 2009)

Her work can be compared to other artists such as Wim Botha and Pieter Hugo because both artists have focused on certain groups of South African Culture. Wim Botha has concentrated on the Afrikaans culture 'Commune: Onomatopoeia' where he uses his sculptures of furniture and the symbol of hyena to portray the culture. Whereas Pieter Hugo has captured the community of Messina in his work Messina /Musina, which documents the different people of this place. Veleko work is different to these artists and can be seen as something innovative and different. She has focused on a group of people that has not been captured before and is why they chose to honour with the Standard bank Young Artist award.

Veleko utilising fashion, graffiti and portraits in wonderland to describe an dynamic new youth culture. She is able to encapsulate this culture and demonstrate her role not just as a photographer but as a part of the collection. By using herself she is able to demonstrate issues of race, beauty and prejudice. She reveals how people can judge and place others into various categories all based on their outer exterior. She has used the story of Alice in Wonderland to create her own realm where she can escape to. Even though this world is a form of fantasy a place that Veleko has created the elements of reality such as the South African Apartheid past lurks in the very distance.

Bibliography

Information Provided:
Anon, 2009, ’Wonderland’ Standard bank young artist for visual art 2008: Nontsikelelo Veleko

Online Resources:
1. Anon , Nontsikelelo Veleko, Available Online: http://www.afronova.com/Nontsikelelo-Lolo-Veleko.html, last viewed: 12 July 2009

2. Anon, 2009, Standard Bank Young artist for Visual arts 2008, Available Online: http://www.standardbankgallery.co.za/youngartist/featured.asp Last cited: 26 July 2009

3. Bester, R, 2007, Nontsikelelo Veleko, Available Online: http://artsouthafrica.com/?article=379, last viewed 12 July 2009

4. Bosman, Natalie, 2009, South African ‘Wonderland’, Available Online: http://www.citizen.co.za/index/article.aspx?pDesc=98392,1,22, last viewed 26 July 2009

5. Chemhere, M, Nontsikelelo’s Fashion Photography, Available Online: http://zimbabwe.africancolours.net/content/10088, Last Viewed: 12 July 2009

6. Gxolo, N, 2008, Wonderland scrutinises street culcha, Available Online: http://cue.ru.ac.za/visual-arts/2008/wonderland-scrutinises-street-culcha.html, Last viewed 12 July 2009

7. Keylock, M, 2009, Wonderland, Available Online: http://www.theguide.co.za/arts_detail.php?artsid=4039, last viewed: 12 July 2009

8. Murinik, T, 2007, Nontsikelelo ‘Lolo’ Veleko, Available Online: http://www.artthrob.co.za/07feb/artbio.html, last viewed: 12 July 2009

Essay: Paul Strand

2009-07-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

Paul Strand Essay
By Nadia Arnold

Paul Strand was a photography pioneer and was responsible for creating the genre straight photography. He broke away from the soft style of the Pictorialists and created a new genre that focused on everything in the image have a large amount of detail and deep depth of field. By breaking away from the norm he was able to the abstract objects and capture the hustle of the rising metropolis New York. His love for photography led to a career in film as well. He was interested in capturing the social problems of the time and highlighting the plight of the people who weren’t able to voice their plight. His work was based at a time of deep despair and depression and Strand was focused on creating work that was socially aware. It was very essential that people looked like they were unaware they were being photographed and he even used fake lens to capture the real essence of the people. By doing this he was able to capture the rawness and reality of these people.

Born in New York on the 16 October 1890 he began his love for photography when his father gave him a camera at age 12. He attended the Ethical Cultural School where he was influenced by one of his teachers Lewis Hine. (Oden, L, 2004) Lewis Hine had been photographing immigrants arriving at Ellis Island and Hine was inspired by this social project and instilled this social awareness into Strand. A field trip to the 291 art gallery which was owned by Alfred Stieglitz opened Strand eyes to the modernist painters and photographers such as Alfred Stieglitz and Edward Steichen who was part of the group called the Photo Secessionists. The exhibition made him realise that photography was not just a simple hobby and he could have a career from it. (Wikipedia contributors, 2009) Even though he wished to make a living from photography his father did not agree and when he finished school he went to work for his father as a clerk in the family enamel ware import business. He continued to do photography as a hobby until he finally he decided in 1911 to open up his own commercial photography business. (Oden, L, 2004)

During this time many photographers were inspired by the Pictorialist genre. Strand produced work that concentrated on the Pictorialist elements such soft focus and he did this by using gum bi chromate printing to capture the paint effect of the Impressionist. (Oden, L, 2004) With the help of his mentor Alfred Stieglitz he was able to break away from the current trends and focus on more sharp and crisp images. Stieglitz’s gallery was a platform for Strand to view the modern works of Europe such as Cézanne, Matisse and Picasso. These works inspired strand to focus on abstract everyday objects and capturing the shadows of that object in an innovative way. He focused on capturing the image as it was in the view finder and not manipulating the image in the dark room. With the use of a large format camera he was able to capture maximum detail by using a 64 aperture. The themes in Strand’s work changed drastically and he focused on movement in the city, abstractions and street portraits. (Department of photographs, 2004)

New York had become a vibrant city filled with different types of people jamming the streets with pedestrians, carriages and automobiles. New York became the new representation for transformation and modernity. At first Strand did not want to encapsulate the chaotic elements of the city he want to capture more slow movements usually using only one person. After some time his images became more complex and the tempo increased with his compositions featuring the crowds of downtown. (Department of photographs, 2004)

Strand said “how you build a picture, what a picture consists of, how shapes are related to each other, how spaces are filled, how the whole thing must have a kind of unity.” (Department of photographs, 2004) Strand focused on these points at his summer cottage in Connecticut. He used everyday items to experiment with framing and positioning the object in ways that they become abstract and you are no longer aware of what the object really is. Strand was the first to create abstract images with a camera.

Despite his love for photography Strand was also an avid film maker with the use of narrative he was able to tell the stories of the disadvantaged. In 1921 he collaborated with Charles Scheeler on his first documentary film called Manhatta. This film was silent but it was able to portray the everyday life in New York and it was very similar to his photograph “Wall Street” that illustrates the movement of the people. (Wikipedia contributors, 2009) During the years of the depression Strand became more involved in politics and was a socialist. He worked with the Group Theatre that was formed by Harold Clurman, Cheryl Crawford and Lee Strasberg in 1931.The members of the group did have left wing political views and wanted produce plays that dealt with these issues. In 1932 Strand decided to make film in Mexico which was based around Mexican fishermen called “The Wave”. He returned to America and worked on “The Plow that Broke the Plains” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2009)

Once World War II had finished Strand left the US and moved to France this was where he worked throughout Europe. He produced many books and this became his new forum of expression he enjoyed the narrative format of the books. He also utilised text with the images to expand on the narrative in the images, he wanted to mimic the narrative elements of film in his books. (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2009) Strand stayed in France till his death on March 31 1976. (Wikipedia contributors, 2009)

“Wall Street”
Strand was able to capture the morning mood of Wall Street. The city was known as a chaotic and crowded place but the opposite is achieved in this photograph. The long shadows of the people and how they are completely frozen in time gives the essence that these people are not in hurry at all. The scale of the people compared to the huge windows that are full of darkness creates a sense of abstraction. The flat shapes of the people and the square frames are so solid that the lines and shapes is all that is left.

“Porch Shadows”

This is another example of Strand use of abstraction where we are not even sure what this object is. The use of the shadows and the crisp diagonal lines generates a strong contrast between the light elements of the image and the dark. The sharp crisp nature of the photograph is nothing like the soft romantic images of the Pictorialists. There is so much detail captured in the image we are even able to see the cracks in the porch this element of deep depth field is what straight photography is based around.

Paul Strand was an innovative photography legend and the work he produced influenced many artists after his time. He was able to break away from the Pictorialists and create a genre of straight photography. By focusing on the city, street portraits and experimenting with abstraction he was able to be the first person to abstract with the use of a camera. His mentor Alfred Stieglitz is the person who influenced him the most and he encouraged Strand to break away from the norms of society. He used his photography to break into the film market and cater to a broader audience and educate them about the social problems of that time.

Bibliography

Online Resources:

1. Encyclopædia Britannica Online , Paul Strand, 2009, Available Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/568003/Paul-Strand, last cited 31 May 2009

2. Department of Photographs, 2004, Paul Strand (1890–1976), Available Online: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/pstd/hd_pstd.htm, last cited on 31 May 2009

3. Oden, L, 2004, Paul Strand (1890 – 1976), Available Online: http://iphf.org/Hall_Of_Fame/Inducties_Bios/Paul%20Strand_Bio.html, last cited on 31 May 2009

4. Schjeldahl, P, 2004, 20th-century strand, Available Online: http://www.artnet.com/Magazine/features/schjeldahl/schjeldahl4-3-98.asp, last cited on 31 May 2009

5. Simkin, J, Paul Strand, Available Online: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAPstrand.htm, last cited 31 May 2009,

6. Wikipedia contributors, 2009, Paul Strand, Available online: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paul_Strand&oldid=287834613, Last cited 31 May 31, 2009

Essay: Pieter Hugo

2009-07-26T13:34:00.000-07:00

Pieter Hugo Nollywood
By Nadia Arnold

Pieter Hugo the controversial Cape Town based photographer has produced a series called Nollywood. Like all Hugo’s work he challenges the subject he is photographing and the way we as the viewer view his work. As with his other work he uses portraiture as a genre to portray his ‘models’, although in the Nollywood series he pushes the boundaries of a portrait and documentary photograph. He does this by constructing the actors in poses that each has an intention and purpose. At the same time he is documenting the actors as if they were portraying the character. The context of where it was shot is very important; the fact that these posed shots were shot in Nigeria play a role. This refers to the Nollywood industry but also commenting on Africa and the way Africa and people from Africa have been made as an ‘other’. He plays with these very issues in a dynamic way by linking the themes and underlying issues in the images. I did enjoy this exhibition I found that his work does push and challenge various boundaries. I think it is brilliant to be different but in the photography industry we have to decide how far is too far?

Hugo’s Nollywood series is a series of actors’ portraits but what makes the photographs so different is that they are Nollywood actors in full costume. He physically constructs the portraits of the actors by placing them in the clothing they would wear as that character. He arranges them in the centre of the image looking straight at the viewer with a specific background behind them. He plays around with the ideas of props either that the character would utilise in a film or a mask that communicates who this iconic character is in the Nollywood industry. These props and masks are very prominent in the photographs and they almost define and explain to the viewer that this is not a real person it is a portrayal of fictional character in very dramatic and exuberant industry.

Hugo has emphasised the gory and dramatic elements of the African film industry for a reason. By portraying the blood, guts and nudity so obviously, it demonstrates the culture and tastes of the people who watch Nollywood films. Hugo highlights that there is a major difference between Nollywood, which is a representation of Africa and Hollywood, which is a representation of the Western culture. Nollywood is the third largest film industry in the world, releasing between 500 and 1 000 movies each year. It produces movies on its own terms, telling stories that appeal to and reflect to the people of Nigeria. (Anon, 2009 No 3) It provides a way for Africa to demonstrate that they too have culture, tradition and certain ways of story telling. These films are a modern day way for them to convey the stories from the past and present. African traditions have always been rich in the act of story telling either orally or through written fiction. These stories have never been communicated through mass media before. Nollywood actors are local actors and the plots challenge the public with familiar situations of romance, comedy, witchcraft, bribery and prostitution. The narrative is over dramatic, refuse to end in a happy way and generally very tragic. The aesthetic is loud, violent, and excessive; nothing is said, everything is shouted. (Anon, 2009 No 3)

At the same time he is playing with documentation and blurring the lines of what is documentary and portrait photography. The questions that he poses the viewer is whether what we see in the photographs are reality or just a fictional character that an actor is portraying. This is demonstrated in the use of the titles, which are the actors’ names, but we are not sure whether this is their stage name or their real names. The fact that Hugo hasn’t chosen to photograph the actors when they are making a movie as that character is vital. Hugo has used the actors as if they were models for a portrait but at the same time he is playing with documenting them as this character. By doing this Hugo is blurring the lines of documentary and portrait photography and creating a new visual language. As Sean O’Toole said 'Instead of speaking in words that court emptiness and the void, Pieter Hugo's images confront viewers with the necessity of speaking in a new vocabulary, one that celebrates the fullness of being.' (Young, E, 2006)

Hugo was born in 1976 and grew up in Cape Town. He underwent a two-year residency in 2002-2003 at Fabrica in Treviso, Italy. He has won numerous photography awards and become a famous South African photographer who challenges the genres of photography and the subject matters such as race. He has held solo exhibitions at Michael Stevenson in Cape Town; Yossi Milo, New York; Extraspazio, Rome; the Museum of Modern Art, Rome and Fabrica Features; Lisbon. (Anon, 2008) Hugo stated himself 'I am six foot tall. I have blond hair and blue eyes. I stick out like a sore thumb in the locations I visit. I quickly realised that the traditional photojournalistic approach of capturing a fleeting moment wasn't going to work for me. Firstly, my reflexes are too slow, and secondly I am not a fly on the wall, I have a presence.’ ‘My work stretches, re-interprets and often subverts the traditions of documentary and portrait photography. My eye is drawn to the peripheral, particularly in Africa, and I negotiate contexts where the cultural nuances of our time are amplified.' (Young, E, 2006)

The 2 images I chose to discuss are Escort Kama and Gabazzini Zuo. I chose these two images because both images had something shocking in them but also something that made me look at the image for longer and really think about the underlying layers. The photograph of Escort Kama was my favourite image of the series because of how Hugo has used motion blur in the background to show the movement of the cars but the his model is frozen. The contrast between blurred and in focus heightens the drama and emphasises the actor dramatically. What he is wearing is also plays a vital role in why the image works. It seems that he is only wearing a black trench coat, his mask, fake pink ears and hat. His clothing heighten a certain fear in the viewer his clothing is very menacing and illustrates that the actor is portraying a serial killer character. The mask, hat and ears are an unusual combination. The hat is something unexpected but paired with the ears is almost comical. It is the mask that truly tells us that this is a menacing and dangerous character because from watching movies like The Silence of the Lambs we are able to identify with the symbol. The weapon an axe heightens the fear and drama in the photograph almost making the viewer feel like he might jump out of the photograph and kill you. 'Escort Kama'

The fact that the background is also very much in focus again heightens the contrast in movement. I think the reason why Hugo chose to keep his background in focus is because he wants the viewer to read the sign that is advertising a vacant board. Compositionally the board is very prominent part in the photograph, obviously the model is the most important part but the board has been placed there for a reason. This reason could be because Hugo wants to highlight the fact that the photo was taken in Nigeria. He wanted to show how something like a billboard is advertised in Nigeria. This vacant board could be a metaphor for Africa and how some way Africa is a vacant board full of potential for use. Like this vacant board that is ragged and not attractive to look at, Africa too has been neglected and damaged through history and most of the countries on the African country are still developing or still in third world states. This context is what Hugo alludes to he wants to challenge how people see Africa by still showing that Africa is struggling with terrible issues. The people are able to establish their own identity based on the cultures, traditions and this is why Nollywood is now the third biggest film industry.

The photograph entitled Gabazzini Zuo is one of the most gory and bloody of the images. I felt it was the most difficult photograph to look at because of the way Hugo has placed the bull in the foreground showing the violent way the bull legs have been tied together and the organs have been placed on the actor’s shoulders. The way the blood is pouring out the animal has also been considered in terms of composition. Hugo has utilised the brightness of the blood and repeated the colour at the open wound, the organs on the actor and even the blood placed on the actor’s face. Even the massive bones in the background bring a very sombre and element of death the very kinds that Nollywood films are based on.

'Gabazzini Zuo'

Hugo’s Nollywood series does challenge the ideas of what is documentary and what is portraiture? It also focuses on the various issues around Africa and especially the Nollywood film industry. He uses this industry and the actors to challenge the viewers’ idea of what is real and what is fiction. By challenging us as viewer he creates a new form of visual language that is full of complicated and overlaying issues. He is able to use the Nollywood actors to convey the same issues that the actors portray in their films. With such dramatic and some would even say offensive images Hugo work always with some air of controversy plays with what is acceptable and blurs the lines of the traditional portrait.

Bibliography

Online Resources:

1. Anon, 2008, Nollywood (Nigerian-Hollywood) Captured By Pieter Hugo, Available Online: http://slamxhype.com/art-design/pieter-hugos-nollywood-nigerian-hollywood-photography/ [Last cited on 2 March 2, 2009]

2. Anon, 2009, Pieter Hugo Nollywood, Available Online: http://www.michealstevenson.com/contemporary/exhibitions/hugo/nollywood_index.htm [Last cited on 26 February]

3. Anon, 2009, Pieter Hugo: Nollywood, Available Online: http://www.whatson.co.za/details.php?id=11772 [Last cited on 2 March 2009]

4. Ben, 2008, Pieter Hugo’s “Nollywood”, Available Online: http://www.snappertalk.com/index.php/20080811/pieter-hugos-nollywood/

5. Fell, S, 2009, Pieter Hugo Nollywood and the death of photography, In One small seed, (14), pp. 32-37

6. Kimberly, Pieter Hugo, Nollywood, Available Online: http://www.photographyboard.net/pieter-hugo-nollywood-176.html [Last cited 2 March 2009]

7. Mcintosh, T, ‘Disguise’ at Michael Stevenson, Available Online: http://www.artthrob.co.za/08jun/reviews/stevenson.html [Last cited on 26 February 2009]

8. Raul, 2009, Pieter Hugo’s Nollywood, Available Online: http://www.mexicanpictures.com/headingeast/2009/01/pieter-hugos-nollywood.html [Last cited 2 March 2007]

9. Young, E, 2006, Pieter Hugo, Available Online at: http://www.artthrob.co.za/06apr/artbio.html [Last cited on 2 March 2009]

Newspaper:
10. Angelucci, F, 2008, Blood and guts in Nollywood, Mail & Guardian, 16 May pp. 3

It has been ages

2009-07-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

Haven't posted anything in a long while June has been such a busy busy month it was just crazy.
Been on holiday for quite some time so now that I have cap I will post some more stuff up pics from the exhibition, some more of my work. Seeing so much movies so time to review some things..

Spirit of Movement

2009-05-31T06:05:00.001-07:00

This project is capturing the spirit of something so I focused on memory and how many are forgotten and become disintegrated

some shots from the studio

2009-05-31T05:32:00.001-07:00

This was a project where we had to shoot our fellow students in the studio here is a couoke photos of me striking a pose

The top 10 galleries in Cape Town

2009-05-13T11:11:00.000-07:00

1. Goodman Gallery
3rd Floor, Fairweather House, 176 Sir Lowry RoadBetween Lewin and Nelson Streets, Woodstock, Cape Town
http://www.goodmangallerycape.com/

2. Micheal stevenson
Buchanan Building, 160 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, 7925, Cape Town
http://www.michaelstevenson.com/

3. South African National Gallery
Government Avenue, Company Gardens, Cape Town
http://www.iziko.org.za/sang/index.html

4. Iart Gallery
71 LOOP STREET
http://www.iart.co.za/

5. AVA
ASSOCIATION FOR VISUAL ARTS
35 Church Street, Cape Town
http://www.ava.co.za/docs/docredir.asp

6. Bell Roberts
Ground Floor, Fairweather House176 Sir Lowry RoadWoodstock,
http://www.bell-roberts.com/

7. Michealis Gallery
Hiddingh Campus, 31-37 Orange Street, Cape Town
http://www.michaelis.uct.ac.za/

8. Joao ferrira
80 Hout Street, Cape Town
http://www.joaoferreiragallery.com/

9. Art.B

Library Centre, Carel van Aswegen Street, Bellville, Cape Town

http://www.artb.co.za/

10. Irma Stern Museum
Cecil Road, Rosebank, Cape Town
http://www.irmastern.co.za/

The Standard Bank Young Artist 2008 Nontsikelelo Velelko

2009-05-11T14:44:00.000-07:00

This is the image I really liked especially because it was a self portrait but I felt this was the only really interesting image and it wasn't really the photograph that was beautiful it was the graffitti element.

We went to the National Gallery to see the Standbank Young Artist for 2008. Nontsikelelo Veleko, the second photographer to win the award. Many of the artists that win this award become the artists to watch in the future. What we saw was not the whole exhibition because apparently the air conditioner was damaging the works and most of the works were taken down. What I did see did not impress me at all it actually really disappointed me and actually wonder if this is really the best photographic talent we have which I know that can't be true. The exhibition looked at the new type of youth culture in South Africa. She looked at the fashion of the youth and elements that play a role in this culture. I did like the concept but I thought the execution in the photographs was not achieved at all. I think she didn't grasp the culture as a group and the exhibition was more about where she fits in the culture. There was one images I did like it was image of a girl and it had graffiti written over it the labels that people have used for her. That was all I liked and I left very puzzled???

Some sites that I found and will go back to

2009-05-11T14:16:00.000-07:00

1. This is the gareth website I love him he is a great dj and was impressed with his site.
http://www.garethcliff.com/guide.php

2. My favourite coffee shop vida cafe. This is the site of their great free magazine
http://www.obrigado.co.za/

3. New fabulous fashion magazine the most amazing fashion photography\
http://www.thelovemagazine.co.uk/
And the love blog
http://www.thelovemagazine.blogspot.com/

4. Great photography site and has really good tips
http://digital-photography-school.com/environmental-portraits

5. One small seed the magazine this is a more arty south african magazine but it is always has the best in whats contemporary and interesting in SA.
The magazine site
http://www.onesmallseed.com/home2.htm
The networking site
http://www.onesmallseed.net/

6. Art throb
South African Art Site
http://www.artthrob.co.za/

7. Art South Africa
An art magazine
http://www.artsouthafrica.com/

The Bucket List or Dream List

2009-05-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

Thought I have to add a bucket list to my blog!!! Loved the movie and think it is a great idea luckily I'm not dying but its a great way to do things that you always wanted to do and check them off even if it takes forever to complete. I want it to be a mixture of goals for my life things I want to achieve and activities I want to experience. This will change add more now and then maybe remove some and hopefully tick some off:

1.Make a living from my passions photography, art and fashion and make sure that whatever

my career is it is something I am happy doing

2. Travel the world :

North America- New York, DC, Florida California, Mexico, Canda

South America- Brazil

Africa-Namibia, Botswana, Egypt, Morroco

Europe- England(done), Scotland, Italy, France (done), Germany, Turkey, Spain, Russia

Asia -India, Japan, Singapore, Thailand

Australia and New Zealand

3. Work on the cruise ships or in another country for a certain amount of time

4. Make a real difference start a charity or find a way to help a charity

5. Own a really amazing car and a home

6. Learn a new lanuage and use it

7. Learn to sew and make my own clothing

8. Learn to surf

9. Learn to ballroom dance

10. Experience cultural events be it theatrical opera ballet comedy or musicals

11. Become more green plant trees, recycle find a way to conserve enviroment

12. Start a family

13. Never stop learning and reading books

14. See more art exhibitions

15.

Idols Drama

2009-05-08T13:30:00.000-07:00

Can't believe it I knew it was weird that Sashsa Lee won????
Guess what Jason actually was the true idol yeah crazy! So what happens now both are the winners Jason gets all the same great prizes like the car and recording contract. It is weird though I guess they couldn't really say to Sasha Lee sorry you not the idol and take all the prizes and give it to Jason.
Must say Mnet was useless this year to let such a terrible mistake happen I mean the season is already been a bit crappy especially with the new host Liezel who I think is the most irratating person really don't like her.
I am happy for Jason I hope he does well he deserves it a great performer.

Was idols rigged???

2009-05-07T15:32:00.000-07:00

OoOOOOOh I read the scandal and it sounds like there was problems with the votes well Im not a Sasha lee fan at all and was very shocked that she won personally I find her very boring and really thought Jason should of won looks like with all this voting troubles maybe Jason is the real idol. There is even talk that it was rigged??? Don't know about that but wouold love for Jason to win lets see what happens???

Personally I think Thembi should of won but she went out way to early so sad becuase she is a great singer and really personality hopefully she will do well??

The start of Top 10

2009-05-07T13:55:00.000-07:00

I thought of an interesting to do on my blog was to rank a whole bunch of things I love or hate in an interesting way. I thought I can post a top 10 section once and while everything from best sites to best bands to fav food hopefully can be many of them:
First Top Ten ???
Top 10 Sites I use on a regular Basis:

1.Facebook
http://www.facebook.com

2. Google
http://www.google.com

3. Blogger
http://www.blogger.com

4. Email addresses
http://www.ravemail.co.za

4. 2nd email
http://www.hotmail.co.za

5. Twitter
www.twitter.com

6. Photography Website
http://saphotography.ning.com/

7. Tagged
www.tagged.com

8. Myspace
www.myspace.com

9. 5Fm
http://www.5fm.co.za

10. Chew Magazine
http://www.chewthemagazine.com/

Elections and Erections Pieter Dirk Uys

2009-05-07T13:06:00.000-07:00

I went to the amazing show of Pieter Dirk Uys a famous comedian comic in Cape Town at the Baxter Theatre. Great great man he is really funny and just a great act! Those who don't know who he is, he is famous for his personalities that he transforms into, the one he is most well known for is the Afrikaans lady named Evita Bezuidenhout (also known as Tannie Evita). Seen above with the Zuma puppet which played a hilarious part in the show. It was just brilliant it showers people in the audience with the shower head hilarious. Zuma wasn't the only person commented on in the show Thabo Mbeki of course but what was done brilliantly was he dresses up as Pik Botha (the president from the Apartheid era) and he has Thabo as a puppet and he compares their political campaigns. The best part is when he says that Thabo is an anagram of Botha. A really great show other characters was Hillary Clinton, the muslim lady he knows in Woodstock that owns a junk shop and oblivously Evita. When you can check him out worth every penny!

Jared Leto in Colour

2009-04-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

These are all the same pictures subject matter wise but I changed them in photoshop playing around combing different images changing colours making a series of some sort. They are from the coke fest where Thirty Seconds To Mars performed in 2007.

Visuality

2009-04-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

New project looking at visuality but we have to use film so I can't show those actual photographs because I don't have a scanner but I'm gonna show some of the shots I took with my digital.

Results are in

2009-04-23T13:51:00.000-07:00

Looks like Zuma is going to be SA's new president and the celebrating has already beginning I wish he wasn't the president but there is nothing we cna change now. I hope he can take all the problems we having and actually solve them. If not hopefully the other parties like DA and COPE will try and stop the country from going under.

2009 SA elections

2009-04-22T02:57:00.000-07:00

Today is voting day public holiday and time for all South Africans to cast their vote. SO am I voting well I'm not registered so I do feel bad that I can't vote bit politics in SA very different there is so many parties to choose from but the party that gets the majority the ANC this year things are a little different besides having a criminal as a president there has been a few changes a new party COPE that is suppose to take some more of the ANC votes. If I could vote I would vote for DA the opposition party they have a women Helen Zille who is also the major of Cape Town. She is someone who actually can help change SA for the good and I wish more people could see that and stop voting based on race. In SA black people vote ANC white people DA and the black people are vast majority but hopefully the people will realise that Zuma is not a suitable candiate for president

Coke zero fest photos

2009-04-22T02:42:00.001-07:00

My bf and I standing at the front

The crazy golden circle crowd

snow patrols lead gutairist

Oasis

Dirty Skirts

Snow Patrol the best performers of the whole festival

coke fest

2009-04-22T02:19:00.000-07:00

Went to coke fest which is the biggest musical festival here in SA but this year they changed the name to coke zero fest and I must say they defiantly ran in to more troubles then years before. Firstly the choice of bands was not as exciting as previous years the line up that was suppose to perfom were:
International Bands:
Oasis (not as great as I thought one or 2 great songs but they seemed very cold and didn't interact with the crowd at all)
Panic at the disco (suprised me the most they started off not so great but the end shout was amazing)
Snow patrol (the best band by far just amazing)
Bullet for my valentine (didn't even show up something about needing to finish their album shame on them)
Red jumpsuit apparatus (Another no show)
SA bands:
Dirty Skirts ( fabulous my favourite sa band )
Zebra and giraffe (Also great the SA bands really stepped up)
Cassette (they were very good as well had the only female muscial on whole tour)
Foto Na Dans (not so great acutally horrible but they started the show off so yeah)
Aking (disappointing really not anything exciting)
With all the changes at the last minute even venues changing did bring a lot of doubt whether this year would meet the expectations of previous years. I must say it wasn't as great as last year or the year before but what made this year special was the fact that I had golden circle tickets. I was in the front roww all day seeing every band from a very up close view. It is a very different vibe in golden circle even though they cost 600 bucks well worth even cent. Hopefully 2010 will be amazing. I must say the venue in cape town was beautiful in the middle of a wine farm surrounded by mountains and absolute great weather. Things that were new and improved the food court and seated areas were better organised although I didn't get the oppurtunity to use them. There was guatuir hero and playstaion three and a massive jack daniels truck but I spent all day on the front line keeping our spot but I think that is the point of festival to listen to the music not play foose ball and playstation those things you can do any day.

Some more of my shots

2009-04-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

This is more work from my days at university well my second year we were given a project where we could choose to use film cameras and work in the darkroom or shoot digital. I chose to shoot digital to work in the darkroom takes so long to get the perfect print. I chose to illustrate the journey I travel everyday from my home to university which is quite the journey and I used photoshop to layer different images to illustrate the vibe and feel that is different in the middle of cape town and the quiet suburbs.

This gives an idea of how many people are always near the very busy roads on the way to Cape Town found that very interesting.

My mom driving home with some of the traffic behind us.

A real build up of images to illustrate the chaotic and busy city.

I love this rural shot and how the grass and the road mix so well together.

This was taken on the way out of Cape Town, this is the offramp you take to get on the N1 lots of traffic normally at 5pm.

Another shot of a road I take to get out of town very busy road people running in the way choatic as you get from the photo.

This is in Durbanville the sign with the graffiti is something that is very promient in my neighbourhood.

Shot in Cape Town again there is even the tourist double decker bus which I see every day travelling in the city showing people all the lovely sights in CT.

This was shot on the way to Cape Town its a back way I take and the is a township so many people always walking along the road some even run in the road to get across to other side very strange.

Another shot from durbanville alot calmer than city.

time to rant and rave ok more ranting then raving

2009-04-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

so it easter friday and I'm not in the holiday spirit well im not very religious so maybe thats the reason but anyway its friday afternoon and I've spent all day lazing around watching tv. Wow yeah I know so exciting so I've been watching my fav shows thanks to the pvr which records the shows so you can watch it when you want, and I watched 90210 the best series at the moment american idol and my all time fav show sex and the city. It got me thinking about the way the character in 90210 Silver has a blog and Carrie is a writer each have such interesting things to say so it inspired me to write. I thought I should add more personal things to the blog seeing that it is a representation of my life thoughts feelings all that stuff. I tried the whole day to get hold of my bf but the phone just rings. We are very close and we usaully see each other every day so after 3 days of not seeing him I have started to wonder whats going on?

Cricket Time

2009-04-10T02:09:00.000-07:00

Went to go watch the proteas verses those Australians in a ODI. It was very interesting a completely different vibe to a rugby game. It wasn't the most exciting game because it wasn't very close but in the end SA played really well taking them to 2-1 lead in the ODI stacks. It was great to see the game live but it so different live than on tv there is so much things you don't see on tv. I loved it though a great day out actual a nice event to go with the family as always my brother and I were making our own commentary it was classic.

Being a student on holiday???

2009-04-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

So I moved from a university to City Varsity this year and I'm studying a 2 year photography course loving it so we on holiday at the moment and we have a project we have to look at texture and portray things around our house in a different way so I'm gonna put up a few images that I experimented with around the house.

The line up part 2

2009-04-02T16:40:00.001-07:00

Nik Rabinowitz

This guy is new on the comic scene, being a Jewish Xhosa-speaking comedian was one of my favourites, he was recently named the 2008 Stand Up Comedian of the Year at the SA Comedy Awards and defiantly deserves the awards .

Martin Jonas

did a great joke where he made the whole audience stand and took a photo of use to show is mama that he is still getting standing ovations just classic very interesting,

BUT ONE OF MY OTHER FAVS he stole the show

David Kau
He even went over time talking true south African politics but with some real insight and making fun of every race to black white coloured. A brilliant way to finish an amazing night full of non stop laughter

The Line Up

2009-04-02T16:10:00.000-07:00

Ryan O' Connor

The KFM dj who started everything off who isn't acyually a professional comic himself but man if you listen to his show you will know all about his different voices and charcters he portrays. His skit was actually really great a whole northern suburbs verses southern suburbs.

The host the real prankster: Darren Simpson aka Whackhead

He was a great host really brillant loved the tampon joke really really funny

Chris Forrest

The black glasses and dry one liner styled comedy something very different but really great Not the most sexiest guy there but he defiantly uses that in his act !

Stewart Taylor

The really funny Cape Town based comic based his act on teaching men well specially married men how to act to make sure they stay out of trouble with their wives.

The comedy Jam

2009-04-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

I attended the comedy jam at Grandwest Cape Town South Africa..... and boy was it a night full of laughter defintely one of the funniest nights of my life. It made me realise that there is some really funny comics from SA and all men but each was different with a interesting way to comment on everyting from marriage to race to politics especially the big names like Zuma, Mbeki and of course Mugabe.

Some of my favourite photos

2009-04-01T13:15:00.001-07:00

This series of work is called After Dark in Surburbia

These are a few of the shots I shot when I was studying at uct in my second year I love these photos. We were given a project that concentrated on night shooting and troubled spaces so I chose the dam near my house and asked my brother and cousins to pose for me. I loved their youth and the way they look like they are looking for trouble I wanted it to look like they where smoking and maybe doing things like rebelling against their parents wishes. I shot these on film and developed it myself and scanned the film and use photoshop to change them.

The first post!!!!

2009-04-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

Its the first post YAY excitement..... so??? What is my blog going to be about? Well I have a passion for photography and art so I want to encourporate that in the blog??? I guess this is my attempt to keep a journal never was able to keep on lol hopefully this will be more fun i guess i will see??? I would love the blog to be a little share of day to day events places I have gone to people I have met things I have experienced and in some way share these things with anyone who is willing to hear???