Day 39 . 31 .05.2011

 Final decision

I am so thrilled. I have made up my mind on the image that I will be using, for the poster that will be designed for my exhibition. I am very fortunate to have friends who are graphic designers, so now there is one less thing I have to worry about.

This graphic designer that has offered to design my poster is the lovely Lisa Robertson. She studied graphic design and art direction at Red and Yellow 2006-2009.  She now works at a reasonable sized advertising agency – Herdbuoys eKapa, where she works as a Designer/DTP (Desktop Publishing). She freelances on the side and in her spare time knits, sings, draws, designs and sews. She is fantastic and can’t wait to see what she produces

Checking out

Lees

Day 38 . 30 .05.2011

 

Goodbye to this month.

I have nothing to write that I can share with you all, so here are some images I took a while ago.  These beautiful girls were so willing to be photographed, and spent the day asking me to take photographs of them.

  

Date: 2010

Medium: photography

Title: none

Location: Rondebosch

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Day 37 . 29 .05.2011

Happy Sunday...

Today was one of those really lazy Sundays after a busy weekend. I spent my day answering questions to an interview. Juggling a lot of things at once is what I do, but to not be able to actually be interviewed sucks. Oh well, I guess I can give the questions more in-depth answers. I’m being asked really interesting questions like “Who is Anelisa?” and I know that seems like the easiest question to answer, but it isn’t. I know who I am but now to explain it to someone in a few sentences is so difficult. I don’t have much to share today, so goodnight everyone.

Checking out

Lees

Day 36 . 28 .05.2011

I had the most insightful conversation with my cousin Zarina Nteta. She has managed to make me excited about this exhibition all over again. Her bubbly personality and faith in people is so inspiring. This process doesn’t feel as mundane anymore. The difference an hour has can be so fascinating.

Checking out

Lees

Day 35 . 27 .05.2011

My intention of visiting the gallery and looking at the space was not successful. To be honest, it wasn’t even a priority, as I know what I want to do and how I want to use the space. I think I just like going there, to remind myself that it’s really going to happen, it being the exhibition.Things have been crazy and sometimes taking in the moments amidst all the chaos is what I need .


The days decrease and the pressure increases. I am fortunate to not be receiving pressure from anybody, as the pressure I seem to be inflicting on myself is all I can handle at this point.

Checking out

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Day 34 . 26 .05.2011

Today and tomorrow I will be spending my time organizing with my sponsors (who have generously offered to provide bottles of wine for the opening of the exhibition), when the wine will be delivered and how many cases I will need. This means I have one less thing to worry about. 

I have to focus on the poster design, which I will have to use to promote the exhibition. Many people have offered to do it for me, so I should decide this week, as to who I am going ask and what exactly the design should be.

I am going to go visit the gallery tomorrow to look at the space again. As I said in the previous post, I tend to become obsessive with the use of space and how it contributes visually to the overall end product of my idea.

I can’t thank the readers and supporters of my dream enough, for the constant love that I get on a daily basis. I find myself not being able to have the perfect response to the compliments, because firstly, I struggle to accept compliments and secondly, because I get this weird feeling in my belly.  So, if I have deliberately changed topic or even given anyone a tainted look, don’t take it personally. Thank you, thank you and again thank you for the kind words.

Checking out

Lees

Day 33 . 25 .05.2011

This weekend will be my defining moment. If I can get through the list of ‘things to confirm for the exhibition’ this weekend, then I will be the happiest person alive. The artists statement still needs to be finalized, the series of works that will be up on the walls needs to be overlooked as obviously the significant things that will complete the exhibition need to be attended too.

I need to pay the Rococo Studio Gallery a visit on Friday, just to look at the space again. I tend to become obsessive with the visual ambience a place can create and I just want everything I vision to be a reality.

*sigh*

Checking out

Lees

Day 32 . 24 .05.2011

I live in oblivion...

I really think someone must have drugged me yesterday, as I didn’t even notice the significance of yesterdays post. It was exactly the 31^st post since the day I started this journey, which means that my countdown from 100 until the big day, should have begun yesterday.

 This means my exhibition is precisely in 99 day’s time, (as I say this out loud, I begin to feel a little queasy) and there is still so much to do. I have been balancing varsity, freelance gigs and this exhibition, but now it appears to me, that this exhibition needs way more attention that I have been giving.

O.M.G!  This is the only way I can explain what I am feeling.  So the countdown officially begins now.

Day 99 (sigh)

Checking out

Lees

Day 31 . 23 .05.2011

Day 31

I’m checking in.

No post today.

There is nothing to share.

 Have a good evening.

Checking out

Lees

Day 30 . 22 .05.2011

The random slip outs

When I am out and about, and the concept behind the exhibition comes up in conversation, I find myself talking about the theme. I find no issue in talking about it to people, because it makes me happy, I just don’t understand why I haven’t yet mentioned it on this blog.

Firstly, it’s too early to give this process a name (even though I might have on this weeks posts), and secondly, I want people to be opened minded about it for now. I love my art more as the days go by.  I love what I am doing and I also love the rush of this journey. This feeling of fear and being in something that is unpredictable makes me happy.

Checking out

Lees

Day 29 . 21 .05.2011

I observe “The moments” amidst all the chaos.

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Day 28 . 20 .05.2011

The more I find myself mixing and blending, the richer the stew…

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Day 27 . 19 .05.2011

Staying on the grind

Left the house at 06:30 in the morning, and I arrived back home at 18:03. This can not be life. I am so exhausted. What fascinates me is that I still have things to do tonight. Despite my current state, I refuse to complain. I chose this life, so I might as well deal with the hard schedule and sleepless nights that come with it.

I have been receiving lovely emails, facebook messages and tweets regarding ‘131 days’. I am so blessed to have so much support. Thank you to those who log in to read everyday and those who have checked it out. I appreciate the love and the motivational messages. Bless you all.

Checking out

Lees

Day 26 . 18 .05.2011

Unexpected Wednesdays

Today was one of those unplanned days. My family and I woke up early in the morning, went to go vote, and after treated ourselves to a lovely breakfast at Tasha’s in Constantia Village. We split up and went our separate ways to do the things we had planned to do individually and then met up to attend an exhibition, by someone who is very close to the family, Zwelethu Mthethwa.

Just a few hours ago, we attended the opening of the exhibition “New Works’, which was held at iART Gallery, 71 Loop Street, and will be running until the 29 June 2011. The collection of work displayed was divided into two categories, ‘The end of an era’ and ‘the brave ones’. Both extremely strong concepts and each image beautifully captured his vision accurately.

Thembinkosi Goniwe clearly states that in this series of works, “The former engages with young Shembe devotees participating in the annual church ceremony of a group found predominantly in KwaZulu-Natal, while the latter reflects on the living conditions of migrant workers laboring in the mines and industrial firms of urban areas of Johannesburg and Durban” in the short notes in Zwelethu Mthethwa’s photography of interiors and exteriors.

Here are some of the images from tonight.

                                      'The brave ones' and 'The end of an era" collection

                                                                My father and my mother

My sister Latoya

                                                                      My sister Naledi

                                                                           The ladies

                                                        Naledi taking the lead yet again

                                                            The girls and our old man

                                            Zwelethu Mthethwa and thats me on the right

We ended off the night, at a restaurant near-by, with some fine wine and good food. Thanks for the great conversation and much needed laughs fam.

Checking out

Lees



Day 25 . 17 .05.2011

Its 25 days into the process

These days have been the most crucial. Taking a concept and making it come to life is perhaps the most underrated thing I know. It’s a process that’s taken for granted by the observers and its lonely path is underestimated by the artist. It is the loneliest I have felt in a long time. What’s ironic about that is that this is the one time in my life, where I probably have the most people in my life joining me in this journey.

My cousin Leslie Nteta says “a little doubt is good, as it only makes you think twice about something, not change your decision.” I think that statement is very fitting for where my head space is at this point of the journey.

With Facebook and Twitter, everyone’s life is public and in the open, through words, ideas as well as pictures. This blog is slightly more intimate for me. I never grew up with a personal diary, and never believed in documenting my thoughts and feelings as a child. However, I am doing it now, based on a medium of art that feeds my spirit. There is no better feeling than that.

I would like to send a shout out to my number 1 fan and best friend Noxolo Mafu. This quirky and reliable character has been there throughout the process and way before it became a solid concept. Every time I found myself at a stop, not knowing whether I should go ahead with 131 days or any other projects I have had , this girl has managed to remind me what my goals are and how its temporary fear that might get in the way but should never determine the outcome. It only seems right to post a ‘thank message you’ on your birthday, so Happy Birthday and thank you mate.

Date: 2010

Medium: photography

Title: none

Location: Constantia, Cape Town

Subjects names: Noxolo Mafu

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Day 24 . 16 .05.2011

Looking back at old images

When I look at these images, it reminds me of where I was two years ago. I fell in love with black and white imagery in 2010. I think it’s because the ‘colour’ on its own evokes some kind of balanced emotion out of people, and then the subject would follow. When I say balanced, I mean a bit of happiness and sadness at the same time. I love taking pictures of young children and the elderly, however the elderly are very sensitive about being photographed, whereas kids are so welcoming when it comes to attention and being photographed.

Date: 2010

Medium: photography

Title: none

Location: Langa, Cape Town

Subjects names: Thobeka and Sindisiwe

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Day 23 . 15 .05.2011

Contract day...eek

I received an email today from Deryck van Steenderen. This makes things so much more official. Now, I have been given deadlines to submit low resolution digital versions of the pieces that will be up, artist statement as well as my biography (CV). After reading the contract, I couldn’t help but laugh at the intensity of it all. I knew that I would have to do the digital versions of the pieces, but I never thought I would have to write an artist statement and biography. Both of the unexpected requests probably won’t be as in-depth as the past artists that have exhibited there have done. Let me not forget that I had a headache straight after reading it. This isn’t because there is any problem with it; in fact I couldn’t be more content with what must be done. I think I began to panic because the big day is getting closer and it’s more of a reality as the days decrease. Its 11:41pm and I still have that feeling in my gut.

CRAP! The idea of this exhibition is starting to make me question a lot of things. I can’t turn back and I don’t want to. I think I am overwhelmed by the idea of a solo. Being in a collaborative exhibition is enjoyable and straightforward, but this is a totally different kind of feeling. All my lovely and supportive friends remind me that if I need assistance, they are more than happy to be called upon, but in all honesty, I still have to be 100% hands on whether I am being helped or not.

Another issue I have is catering. I am not sure how many people will honour me with their presence, and so catering is something I have to really look into. Things will work out in the end, I am sure of that (touch wood).

Checking out

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Day 22 . 14 .05.2011

To those those are only now, joining me in my journey...

There seems to be some kind of confusion surrounding my blog and the purpose of it. I get it, I really do.  At times, I seem lost, confused, other days I am off topic and in general, it comes across as if I am not sure what my theme is.

To clear it all, I am on a journey, so I am discovering a lot of the things that I want to do and explore on the way. However, I do know what my theme is and my overall concept.

Art as a whole has never been about having all the answers, and that’s why I sometimes find no shame in saying “I don’t know but I will figure it out”. This is because I have faith in myself and my abilities, and so the fear aspect doesn’t exist anymore.

The aim of this blog is to document my thoughts, development, feelings, ideas, concerns and daily experiences.  Photography is subjective, so my mood can easily translate to something visual. Whether I am angry or happy, it can be seen in a still image. This is why the idea of 131 days was created. I do believe that it’s the only place where I can be honest and direct people to, so that they understand where I am coming from.  Everything connects. That is the beauty of life, and so when I highlight, that some days will be good and others bad, I mean it.

 Now that is cleared, blogspot has been giving us bloggers slight problems in being able to post daily, so I apologize for the late posts.

Checking out

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Day 21 . 13 .05.2011

A still moment in the chaos

As I predicted, Jana du Plessis would be the one person to understand my scattered ideas and help me to direct it. Things are falling into place slowly and I couldn’t be happier. My concept seems stronger and stronger every time I speak to my mentors and those who have experience in what I am trying to achieve. It’s finalized; my concept is solid and no longer generic.

Today is my day off and I feel like exploring the city on my own, as I used to when photography was still a fresh medium to me. I now understand why naïve art is so successful. I think it’s because its emotion is so pure (due to lack of knowledge) and there are no expectations when in the act, its simply fun. I hope I can find that again.

I am meeting Deryck van Steenderen tomorrow morning. I haven’t gone to Rococo Studio Gallery in a while, and I think its time to go in just to visualize the event. Visiting the place will remind me that there is no longer to take it day by day. It is time to work all day everyday.

Checking out

Lees

Day 20 . 12 .05.2011

Shining your light on the world…

I am starting to get a lot of good responses for this exhibition. I wonder how it is possible to receive so much support and love from people, when they don’t even know the concept/theme.

I’m not complaining; don’t get me wrong, I just find it so fascinating. 20 days after the birth of 131 concept and I am feeling good.  I always knew what I wanted and where I wanted to be, but never did I think it would be happening right now.

So I have a meeting today with my Copy writing lecturer Jana du Plessis. She seems to help direct my scattered brain in one direction at all times without fail. I am so excited and confident that when I am done with her, I will be ready to move forward and perhaps much faster than I am at the moment.

I have a lot of work this week, which is something I have been continuously mentioning in my posts. Assignments are pouring in and I can’t seem to find a balance in spending an hour in my busy day, to focus on the admin part of this exhibition. My timetable is changing a bit, and if all goes well, Friday will be my off day from campus. If my prediction is correct, I can finally focus on responding to the emails and calls for this week. Anyway, back to the books.

Checking out

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Day 19 . 11.05.2011

What I did today...

All lectures were attended and more. I set up a meeting with the gallery manager for the 12th May. I bumped into Uncle Zwelethu Mthethwa (South African artist and photographer and his work can be seen on post 9) who has invited my family to his exhibition next Wednesday, at the gallery called Iart in Cape Town. An investment was made on red leather shorts. I went out for a little snack with my sister Naledi Radebe at Lazaris. Now I am on the grind to complete as much work as possible for tomorrow. There is major work to be done tomorrow.

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Day 18 . 10 .05.2011

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

I know, I am the least religious person on Earth, but I find so much beauty in this phrase, both in how it sounds, and in the fact that it is foreign to me, as I am normally greeted this way. Today I was greeted by a man of the Islamic faith and asked him what the full meaning of this phrase was. He replied by saying "Peace be unto you and so may the mercy of Allah and His blessings"

I felt a sense of warmth and love rush through my body. It’s the little things that give meaning to my life. The sense of solidarity in our people in this misunderstood country. It helped me cope with my day today.

Tonight, I have time. I say this with a huge grin on my face. I will focus on my exhibition admin and then hit the books. YAY! I do hope that I get some sleep this time. Surviving on faith is not permanent.

Checking out

Lees

Day 17 . 09 .05.2011

Start of a new week

Its 114 days till 1^st September.  I refuse to panic until I start counting down from 100.  Yesterday was great. Nothing beats a picnic with the family or anything else in fact. Assignments are pouring in and so I am spending all my time working, and at this point in time, have absolutely no time for any exhibition admin.

As I’ve said in my previous posts, I can’t upload any images that I have taken for the exhibition, let alone mention the theme, so I can only share with you pictures I have been taking for assignments and events.

I am doing a group work Creative Development assignment at school , which requires us to find a place or area in Cape Town ( that is of walking distance) to do research on and document through words , imagery , drawing and design. Out of all my briefs for this semester, this one, so happens to be my ultimate favourite.  We decided on doing the District 6 cafe in Darling Street in the city. The building next to the cafe is an old building that is home to the inhabitants, and a place that they share with people of different generations, race and religion, but are united in their combination of happiness and suffering.

However, on a more lighter note, the District 6 Cafe hosts an event,  Cold Turkey every 2nd Sunday. So, some of my group members and I went to go check it out, observing the scene for research and of course we managed to slip in some fun there and there. Here are some images from last night.

Zanele and Kitsi

Dionne and Kent

Lisa Ludski ( I know way too many Lisa's) , Mpilo and Latoya

Lisa Robertson and Stephanie

Ora and Unathi

Lisa Ludski , Mpilo and Latoya

 Jana and Alessandre

Luyanda and Kelly

Ali

Angelyn ,Wandile and Karabo

Myself and Stephanie

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Lees

Day 16 . 08 .05.2011

Day off


This is my day off. Its Mothers day today, so my focus for the day was making my mother and domestic worker feel special. We had a delicious picnic in the garden as a family, made by my sisters and of course I helped out as well.


In yesterday's post, I mentioned that I was attending a fashion show, and so here are a few pictures from last night at the Taj Hotel where the Lazuli fashion show was hosted .

     

Layla Cassim in one of her designs 

Chic garment

Beautiful colours

The designers at the end of the show. Zarah Cassim on the left , me in the middle and Layla Cassim on the right. Foziah Cassim  ( the mother) was occupied at the time , and so she wasnt able to be in the picture.

Checking out

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Day 15 . 07 .05.2011

Happy Saturday

Yesterday was a great day for me. During my break from the classes I had, I found time to take some really strange images. I am beginning to feel the flow again and there is no stopping it now. My day was packed with classes yesterday and consulting lecturers, but in that time, I also managed to sneak in time to speak to some of them, about my ideas and concerns regarding my work for the big day. I don’t know what I would do without the people I have in my life. It seems as if everyone ALWAYS has ideas on the top of their head.

Things are falling into place.

My uncle Bobo Pemba is in the Cape Town. It’s about time. Texting, emailing and speaking over the phone is a great way of communication, but nothing beats a one on one kind of dialogue. He tells me he is already in the process of writing his speech. At least I can tick something else off the list of, ‘things to do’ lol. My week has been crazy, and so I will be spending time running the few errands that I have and doing my washing for heaven’s sake.

At 5pm, I have a fashion show (Parisian style) to attend at the luxurious Taj hotel. Lazuli, a brand that stands for fashionable, classy and fabulous women will be showcasing their debut line. More importantly it’s a family brand, the mom Foziah Cassim (founder and owner of Seven Ounce), daughters Layla Cassim (medical student at Stellies) and Zarah Cassim (Fine Art student at UCT) , have collaborated with two other brands in hosting an evening of splendor. I was in high school with these two lovely ladies. I won’t lie, I always had a feeling they would start something as great as this. They were forever hosting fashion shows back in the day.

Today I must read all my emails regarding this exhibition. This part isn’t fun but it must be done.

Checking out
Lees

Day 14 . 06 .05.2011

Happy news...

I am taking pictures that speak to me again. I am in such high spirits. The question I keep on asking myself is, “are these the images that I want to exhibit?”. I want to speak about the theme and post some of the images so badly, but I can’t as there would be no point in having the exhibition if I do. I haven’t shown my family, close friends or mentors (as of yet). At this point, I feel so alone in this process. Part of doing the whole art thing in general, is that there is always that one person, who you can go to and discuss, in depth, the '5 W's'.

The 5 W's are when, why, what, whom, where. These questions normally give one direction and a solid reason to their approach and an overall concept.

Besides spending a lot of time day dreaming about this exhibition, its ambience, the amount of people who will honour me with their presence, which people will come,  if they will understand my work, whether they will appreciate it , wondering if people are actually reading this blog and lastly, what I would possibly wear.

Tshakgi Mannya a young talented fashion junkie based in Johannesburg has offered to collaborate, in designing a dress for me to wear on my special night. She began her career in fashion in 2008, as a Lisof student. She decides to go into the business of fashion instead of design, also known as the commercial stream. She is inspired by everything and that’s what Aluxism means. Her brand, Aluxism is the movement of being inspired, but expressed through her own interpretation of her daily surroundings. Her fashion icons are Tom Ford, Elizabeth Taylor and Gavin Rajah as each has a quality she can identify with.

She has offered to collaborate in designing a dress for me, to wear on my special night. This is exciting. I have never had someone offer, to create a garment for me, let alone as a gift for my big night. Not only do I have to think of ideas for this exhibition, but now I have to think of colours and designs. 1^st September is obviously not the Grammy’s so no ball gowns thank you. However, in celebration of a new start, first day of spring and me reaching a goal of mine, a feminine and long dress doesn’t sound too bad. The first colours that come to mind are yellow. I know, how typical, but I think it’s a beautiful and happy colour. I can’t wait to start this process. I have ideas in my head already. I could draw it, but bringing something as a dress design on paper, to life isn’t my forte. I have always had an appreciation for fashion, and I think a lot of my friends and family know that. That’s enough excitement for one day.

Checking out

Lees

 

Day 13 . 05 .05.2011

Early Post…

My first lecture of the day starts at 11:30. So as planned, I would wake up slightly later than usual, and do all the ‘morning’ things I don’t get to do, like eating breakfast and walking around the house in my gown. It feels as if there is never time to do those kinds of things, and so when an opportunity presents itself, I am going in HARD. The weather is slightly off putting, but reality is that its autumn/winter and that summer and the sun will soon become foreign to us all in Cape Town.  

Woke up to a link sent by my lovely friend Asanda Sizani (Fashion Editor of Elle – this name dropping thing is weird but it must be done). If there is anyone in this world who knows something about timing, it’s her. I won’t go on about her, as I am guaranteed to get a message from her saying how embarrassed she is. “Invent your world. Surround yourself with people, colour, sounds and work that nourish you”. Just that on its own substantiates my statement in referring to her as a woman of timing.

I need to speak to my Creative Development lecturer about my idea’s for my exhibition today. I tried to look for her in that small campus of mine, but when it comes to looking for someone at Vega; it feels as if our campus is as big as UCT. Everyone is always on the move.  My Creative Development navigator (as they prefer to be referred to as instead of lecturer) is Carol-Anne Gainer. Now this woman is insightful. Not only does she work at Vega, but she is also an artist. We have many navigator’s working permanently and doing what they love freelancing , like Jana du Plessis ( copywriting navigator) with the launch of her book titled ‘Vat ‘n Gap’.  It’s great and makes everything they say entirely more subjective, which is always better.

Check this out for a whole lot of inspiration and words of encouragement. I feel different and much better, about the exhibition and in general, from yesterday because of this à

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/50-creative-questions-to-create-the-life-you-really-want/

Checking out

Lees