Day 8 . 30.04.2011

Happy Saturday

Good news. I have a theme. It just came to me at the oddest time. I guess there is no specific time for a brainwave. I don’t think I should reveal it just yet. Infact I won’t. It’s way too early to be revealing such. I feel good again; I am on the right track. Things feel slow, but I know it should feel slow because I am only on day 8. Gemini’s are known for not being patient; therefore I have to constantly remind myself that despite the date, this is not a race. I am not competing with anyone and that I can relax.

There has been progress today. I called Robert Miller about printing and he said that he would forward me a price list. He focuses more on custom designed sizes for his clients, and so he would prefer that I call him when I am ready to print and then we can speak about prices then.

I know I will be paying a lot for these prints, because the size’s I am thinking of vary from A2 to sizes bigger than A0 (that’s a really big size). A collection of different sizes will result in varied prices which is what is needed for my market. I don’t know of many ‘young’ people who invest in art, so I am hoping after this exhibition that will all change.

Exposure gallery (in Woodstock at the Old Biscuit Mill)  is sending me a copy of their printing sizes and price’s later on today, so hopefully I can compare the two in time, and see which option works best for my pocket and my investor’s pocket.

Checking out
Lees

Day 7 . 29.04.2011

Sup

I underestimated the strength blogger’s have, as blogging everyday can be a great deal of work.  I also took for granted the public promise I made, which was to post something, important or insignificant, everyday as it is part of the process leading to the final. I am saying the previous sentence out loud and it just sounds corny (I humour myself when I attempt to sound profound) and I somehow want to take it all back, but I wont.

My vacation is coming to an end, and I am not hitting the streets tonight. It’s so typical of me to choose the sheets instead of hitting the club. Spent the day with my long time friend Mpilo Ngcukana (Founder and Designer of Simon Deporres along with Simon Pocock), and Sister Latoya Marivate (Aspiring Chef) today, which was great, as I love catching up with people I adore.

I think that I am particularly lazy at this point in time, but I know that will all change when I go back to school. Vega reminds me what good work ethic is and what it means to work your way to the top. Home reminds me of food, warmth and television, and so that’s all that I am used too at this point in time. I have home to blame for my weight gain, oh and winter. I look ‘porky’ and find it rather funny, as I still manage to fit into all my clothes. This little pj (personal joke for you, mom and dad) will end when my jeans are ripping because of the large thighs.

Okay, from photography, to being lazy and all the way to body talk. Ha-ha, I think its getting late.

Checking out
Lees

Day 6 . 28.04.2011

Evening

Look at the blogs I have been browsing through :

---http://tonygum.blogspot.com/

---http://urbanmosadi.blogspot.com/

---http://skattiewhatareyouwearing.blogspot.com/

---http://www.teeteeiswithme.com/ ( my lovely cousin)

---http://sikidesign.blogspot.com/

---http://viemyselfandi.blogspot.com/

---http://www.bakedtheblog.com/


I dont have anything else for today. Sorry folks.

Checking out
Lees

Day 5. 27.04.2011

Progress


Today I woke up really late. When I say late, I’m talking about 13:00.  This was a surprise to my family member's as I am always the first person to wake up in the house. I can’t stop smiling today, and I think it’s because for the first time, in a very long time, I feel relaxed.

So, I have made progress today. I called my uncle Bobo Pemba and asked him to be the opening speaker for my exhibition. I asked him because he is family which means that his speech would be more subjective and perhaps sentimental. My second reason for asking him is because he is someone I respect and, most importantly he understands the life of a struggling artist (quiet laughter at that bold statement of calling myself an artist).

He watched, supported and managed everything and anything that had to do with my Great-Grandfather George Pemba , also known as the pioneer of township art in South Africa, and still does to this day.

If you do not know of him...here are a few images of the man himself and his work:

George Milwa Mnyaluza Pemba

         ( my mom Tham-Tham) Mothers Child , oil on canvas , 1972

   No work , watercolour , 1948

I will start walking now to Cape Town from Johannesburg, so that I don't miss it for the World" he says. A little dramatic I would say, but this only confirms his support for me and this exhibition.
I have a speaker, a gallery, a few followers and major support from strangers and loved one's. It’s the fifth day and I am already so blessed.


My lovely friend Siki Msuseni, a gifted creative and constantly buzzing with energy kind of girl, left a comment on yesterday's post. I checked it out and knew she had gone against what I had asked, and that’s because she is just one of those people that love to rebel and support her friends.

Check out her blog 'All Things Intriguing'   http://www.sikidesign.blogspot.com 

and what she has to say about '131 Days' --->

 http://sikidesign.blogspot.com/2011/04/photographer-anelisa-mangcu.html

Checking out
Lees

Day 4. 26.04.2011

Admin day


So....I have neglected my onesmallseed network profile in general, which is not a good look.
About three weeks ago, if not a month ago, I uploaded some images that I took for an assignment on campus.  If I haven't mentioned it yet, or you don't know, I go to Vega branding school (in Cape Town). I am doing a BA in Creative Brand Communications (art direction, graphic design, copy writing and multimedia). I don't know what it is that I will be specializing in as of yet, but no pressure.

Back to the onesmallseed topic. One of the few images that I uploaded was featured a while ago, but as usual, I only saw this week later, and to be more specific, I saw it this morning. This would be my third feature. My subjects name is Candice Theron. She is a mate of mine; we attend the same school, course and year. She evokes an edgy and hardcore image, and I love how that is so naturally conveyed. HOWEVER...this is not one of my successful pictures. I guess my eye is different to the next person's. So thanks again Onesmallseed network.  Oh and before I forget, happy birthday S'vuyile Mayosi.

Check out my profile on the network :  

http://www.onesmallseed.net/profile/AnelisaMangcu

Checking out

Lees

Day 3 . 25.04.2011

It’s Day 3

I am exhausted from last night/this morning.  I only have Latoya, Lisa Robertson and Siba to blame. Cold Turkey was a jam as usual.  .It’s a Monday. The weather is terrible, so I will be spending the day in bed. As usual, the few errands must be attended too, but other than that I won’t be leaving my room.

I have assignments to do, a short and informative biography to complete and a list of a few people to call, like the printing company I use (Panascape Printing in Woodstock) owned by Robert Miller. There is so much to do, but my old friend procrastination ,seems to be getting the better of me these day's.

I deserve this. Peace

Checking out
Lees

Day 2 . 24.04.2011

Ola

I just dropped off my sister at work. Being awake at 8:15 is never something to smile about. So I am up for the day. Today is the second day, but unfortunately, I don’t want to work on anything. It’s my Dads birthday, so I have an excuse. To be honest, in theory, this exhibition will be one of those that the public remember, but there is a lot to be done.

I realised that I don’t want to exhibit the images that I already have, but instead create a bizarre theme and base my exhibition on something a little more conceptual. I still haven’t thought of the actual theme, but I know it will come to me in the most unforeseen moment. I also have to generate a lot of capital for this event and printing and anything and everything that I will have to pay for.

I know your most likely thinking 'this girl is crazy' and 'why is she making things so official if she has no money?’.  The answer is I am crazy and broke. However with me, is a dream that can’t seem to put aside. I am a naturally focused woman who goes for all the impossible and I believe in myself. All I really need is a dream, the discipline to work a little bit everyday, passion and a little charm to get what I want  *wink*.  So I am not worried, not one bit.

Deryck emailed me asking for a biography. I’ve been at this photography voyage for 5years now and I still have so much to learn.  Ha, this biography is going to be exceptionally short in comparison to those who normally have solo's. So I will carry on doing and learning in the process. 

Its 8:26 and I only have breakfast on my mind. The plan for the day is that I meant to go to Vortex with my cousin Lumka Nteta, but life is way too chilled in Cape Town, so plans are forever changing. I am hungry, so I am out.

Checking out
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Day 1 . 23.04.2011

My name is Anelisa Mangcu.

I take pictures. It’s what I do best. I do a lot of other stuff, but what comes naturally to me is taking pictures, the other stuff I work hard for.

This blog is called 131 days because in 131 days, I will be having my debut solo exhibition. CRAZY I TELL YOU. I have been discarded so many times in my life, and recently by 15 galleries (which I won’t name) that wouldn’t accept my application to exhibit in their spaces. That’s alright. I found a place now. Rococo Studio Gallery is the name of the gallery.

I think I should thank whoever the higher spirit is for guiding me to this gallery, because it’s perfect.  It’s a two floor brick walled building, it has a natural warm ambience, wooden floors and it’s in the corner of Buitenkant. It’s sick. I have been planning this for a long time. I think planning is great, but I delayed this because the timing was never right but now it is.

I’m hoping this blog will serve the same purpose that a sketchbook does for an artist , and that is to document the journey ,  reveal my every thought ,  my mistakes , any doubt that I may have throughout this process and evidently , see my progression from the start to the beginning. I say beginning because, I believe there is never an end to something. It all just carries on to other things. I hope I am making sense.

My first meeting with the gallery's general manager, Deryck van Steenderen, went well on Thursday 21.04.2011, so after two days of celebrating, its time to begin grafting.

Checking out
Lees