Some words. Some images. Mosaic of all things Copacetic
bookCLUB; We go hard!I was kind of cyberstalking my new favourite artist of the moment, and bumped into something so amazing and special my heart got a little tug. I found this gorgeous pic of Somalian rapper / poet / singer K’naan … his hat caught my attention soon after his eyes and lips (okay stop salivating) and I googled the words hoping it was something good. Thankfully, it was. Drum roll please…. Write on Africa
Write on Africa is an initiative brought to us by Word of Art productions - working together with established as well as up and coming graffiti artists and painter alike to create beauty in otherwise not so beautiful places. But here's the catch, they don't just do it for their own praise, but also to inspire others and have develop impoverished communities.
Write on Africa was started in 05 to support the sometimes vilified art form of graffiti. Showcasing deserving and spectacular work to help change the stereotypically negative view some may have on graffiti.
This initiative touched me for the way in which they create platforms for artists as well as opening up doors that some people may have never known were even there.
The Write on Africa ‘event’ with a live street art auction in an attempt to raise money for a township mural campaign is something I would have loved to experience. It happened in April of this year and basically artists created masterpieces that went on auction – money from that going toward creating beauty in and around Cape Town townships with wall murals. The murals have a kind of butterfly effect: ‘On many past experiences we have had kids sit around all day and admire the magical worlds that unfold as we create before their eyes, and when completed they take the initiative to collectively clean up the area surrounding the mural’
Their vision is about creative inspiration and urban rejuvenation through special events, initiatives and Art in public space – If you’ve ever been to a township you’ll fully understand how thirsty for beauty the streets are, you’ll fully appreciate what a project like this can do to quench those parched roads.
Artists: Rasty (love love love), Mak1one, faith47, black koki, senyol, 351073
All Write on Africa initiatives are documented and exposed internationally on the website.
www.writeonafrica.com
I’m itching to get involved.
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Photo: Reuters
Inaugural Africa Fashion Week 2009 to draw world attention
The African fashion industry will be scoring the winning goal during the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup in June, with the announcement of the inaugural Africa Fashion Week taking place in Johannesburg in June.
African Fashion International (AFI), which runs Cape Town, Joburg and Durban fashion weeks, will present an eight-day showcase of the continents’ leading designers from 12 to 19 June 2009 at the Sandton Convention Centre, culminating with the African Fashion Awards. Africa Fashion Week will replace the more localised Joburg Fashion Week on this years spring/summer calendar.
"Global attention will be firmly focused on Joburg during the Confederations Cup, and Africa Fashion Week will afford the continent's top design talent the opportunity to attract world's attention, says Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, AFI chairperson. " It is our mission to take African fashion to the world and this Pan-African showcase is a fulfilment of that aspiration."
Dr Moloi-Motsepe added that African Fashion Week would benefit the South African textile industry, inter African trade as well as capitalise on global interest in the continent as a creative source.
The Levi's® Vintage Sundays gigs are currently underway in Johannesburg, taking music to the people in the intimate setting of Crazy 88 in Norwood. Now in its 5th season with an incredible line-up of a selection of South Africa’s most recognized artists; these weekly gigs have proven extremely popular due to the close-up and personal feel of the events which offer a wide range of diverse performances. This past Sunday 10th May included the legendary Pops Mohammed, Kwani Experience and Tumi live and unplugged.
Kwani Experience brought the house down with tribal rhytms with soul and creativity. They also collaborated with Paps Mohammed (Whom I’d never heard of before). Pops started the night off, but it didn’t quite do it for me. Sounded like something you’d hear to soothe and relax during a spa day somewhere far away. Maybe he is an acquired taste.
On Sunday 17 May, Levi's® Vintage Sundays will be in full swing once more featuring a combination of the acoustic local band Apple Ann and traditional vernacular folk musician Bongeziwe. Recent SAMA winners and crowd favourites 340ml, will also join the bill this week.
Mozambican boys 340ml, recent SAMA winners are back on the scene with a brand new album, appropriately entitled "Sorry for the Delay". Their music is a mixed formula of various musical genres, from Dub to Jazz, Afro to Rave, Polka to Rock, and the list goes on, but the end product always sounds like 340ml
In the past five years the iconic jeans brand has hosted an incredible 160 shows all over the country and in May 2009; Levi’s® Vintage Sundays will enter its sixth year. There have been many legendary performances, surprise collaborations; rock ‘n’ roll moments and eye-opening antics. Our musical royalty, from across genres, has taken this opportunity to give some of their most memorable shows. And it has always been for free, proving that the Levi's® brand is committed to keeping Mzansi in touch with its musical icons, and ensuring that these stars connect with their fans.
Thanks Levi's
(Sunday's are special again)
So Mr. ‘I’m too cool for school’ and I don’t answer questions at press conferences Akon is in town
He’s either on his way to Angola or back from there, but he’s here anyway. The highlight if his visit to South Africa is the sassy Lady Gaga accompanying him (or so they say.) Word on the street is that he’s also supposed to be launching a clothing line. Whatever.
So the convict who likened his ‘grand theft auto’ incarceration to that of struggle icon’s, Nelson Mandela, incarceration on Robben Island attended a party in his honour last night. Yeah right buddy. Unless you were stealing that car to get Obama out of trouble, I don’t think so.
Anywhoo, The Akon party sans performance required fans to pay R150 to get into the lavish club Inc in Braamfontien to stare at the artist. I’m sure champagne was popped and the star-blinded sheep were dancing and singing along to Akon auto-tuned tracks and hoping to get a whiff of the superstar and hope to be remembered. He is after all the ‘Prince of Africa’
Here’s the funny part – yesterday afternoon I got an email from MTV at 10am telling me (and many others) that we should rush to Soweto to be a part of Akon’s video shoot and ofcourse get a free concert (Starting at 11am)
Wait one minute folks… did ya’ll find out only yesterday that this would be happening? A source tells me that the shoot only started at 4pm, with fans having waiting all that time for their own shot at fame.
It is said that he’ll be singing the official 2010 Soccer World Cup anthem – cue auto tune. Save our ears!
No that you’ve read the whole Akon bashing saga; the only highlight of this post is that every time I type his name, I mistakenly add an additional ‘a’ which then spells my name. Akon+a= Akona. (even spellcheck wants me to spell my name)
cheerio
This month we celebrate Africa Day. Unlike most special days that I don’t take this too seriously, because some of the things celebrated, if are important to you should be a part of your life everyday. Africa Day is a little different I guess, because it is celebrated in different ways around the world – All things African brought to the forefront and embraced and basically a showcasing of the continent’s history and culture through the arts. Lets just hope someone somewhere is learning a little bit more about ‘this far off place’ as Anderson Cooper calls it.
Other artists include Senegalese hip-hop pioneer Awadi, Benin’s Gang’be, South Africa’s own Gang of Instrumentals, the Soweto Gospel Choir and The Parlotones as well as some Lusophone flavor provided by Angolan, Yuri da Cunha.
And in other news: In recognition of another monumental African milestone, Africa Day will also serve as a countdown to the upcoming Confederations Cup, which is set to kick off in South Africa on June 14th – 28th. For 9 days during that period, Mary Fitzgerald Square will be transformed into the only official Confederations Cup Public Viewing Site, where soccer lovers can catch the matches on big screens and enjoy performances from local and international artists, for free, courtesy of the City of Joburg. The coincidence is especially meaningful in light of the fact that these soccer events are taking place on the African continent for the first time, and represent an opportunity for Africa’s humanity and intertwined heritage and future to shine. Soccer is a sport that every African nation has in common – it a huge unifier, and South Africa proudly declares ‘Ke Nako!’ It’s our time to host the world most prestigious soccer events! Thanks ArtZone
The Africa Day show on Mary Fitzgerald Square (Saturday, May 23rd) and is free to the public.
Forgive the sudden and unexplained hiatus, but if you hold on just a little longer Mosaic will be back, hotter and more exciting than ever
Working on a few topics to get you thinking, get you laughing and continue to be a mosaic of everything creative.
'Aint nothing to it, but to do it'
Keep shining
