The brainchild of South African electronic music stalwart, Markus Wormstorm, Drop Shop is a week-long incubator that brings together established and more up-and-coming producers to create a thirty-minute mix of original techno. “It started with this feature film which I was commissioned to do called ‘Sounds of Animals Fighting’ which takes place in South Africa…
The future is gender fluid. Probably. I mean, if there is a future. With the current climate, who knows how much longer we’ll inhabit this planet for? What I do know is that more people these days are starting to open up to the idea that sexuality is a spectrum and so is gender, which…
“When books are scarce, people are knowledge” This is a quote from an email interview I had with Bangalore-based writer and activist Achal Prabhala. It is an introduction to the thinking behind the Oral Citations Project – a project he was involved in which explored alternative methods of citation for Wikipedia and ways to redefine…
Many Joburgers, like myself, know the exodus that the city experiences over the December holidays, with most people coming back just in time to unpack their bags before going back to work. For those who go on holiday, the coast is usually the first option. However, over the last holiday Johannesburg saw a slight shift…
The first AFROPUNK festival in Africa took place over the weekend of the 30 and 31 December. Fashion, art and music was shared in a collective embrace with all attendees. As with every AFROPUNK festival, the outfits worn by those in attendance can attract as much attention and celebration as the artists on the lineup….
One of the most visually opulent artists working today, Umlilo has been winning ears and hearts with their bold fusion of kwaito, rap and bubblegum pop. Since their debut EP in 2013, Umlilo’s project has been exploring the tragedies and triumphs of life in a world of repressive gender politics. Their artistic comrades in the…
OluTimehin Adegbeye is a Nigerian speaker, writer, and activist. Her work is derived from a self-perceived duty to social justice with a focus on gender, class, sexualities and sexual violence. Other concerns addressed in her work are Sustainable Development and Urban Poverty. When asked about her career path, OluTimehin expresses “I don’t know that I…
As was noted in a podcast by Artsy titled ‘Why Artists are turning to Mysticism’, there is a swelling presence of mysticism and shamanism in contemporary art. An example of this can be found at this year’s Venice Biennale which had a curated section called the Pavilion of Shamans. I will take a look at…
A chance meeting between Ruth Daniel of In Place of War (IPOW) and Malose Malahlela of Keleketla! saw the creation of a project that would result in legacy lasting beyond a week cross-border collaboration. Working with creativity and music in places of conflict or communities with conflict, IPOW organises music collaborations between famous international artists…
Growing up in the village of Ha-Mojela in Mafeteng district Lesotho, the artist Teboho Mochaoa better known as Morena Leraba was exposed to a variety of music. From kwaito and South Africa’s traditional music to the alternative and rock music his older brother preferred, along with the sounds of Lesotho. “Famo and traditional Sesotho music…
The UK based director known for ‘A Young Summer’s Heart’ and the video for ‘Black Crow’ took over my Mac Book screen with his vivid imagery last night. Pizzichini’s work has a defining style and the ability to be real and surreal simultaneously. The unique diversity of Pizzichini’s skill compels his viewer to travel between…
If you’re tired of going to music festivals with 37 different versions of Shortstraw, or if you’re tired of 40 straight hours of trance being called a music festival, you should check out Zakifo, an actual music festival. Now in it’s third year, Zakifo has found it’s feet and it’s voice as a uniquely curated…
