15 September 2011

 

Today I had the craziest day. At 11:30 , after lectures , I met up with the Glamour team at the Buchanan Studios in Buchanan Square in Woodstock for the 'Signature Style' shoot. The shoot is for the December issue.  I went in with my Mom and little Sister , Solitha. As I walked in , I was immediately approached by Melissa Twigg , the features writer who was so welcoming. She introduced me to the team . I went into the make-up room where I met Louise Bingham , the make-up artist who is talented , friendly and the woman who introduced me to the concealer of my dreams. She refused to apply foundation because she happened to think I didnt need it. However , she gave me great tips on the best foundation , concealer and powder to use for my skin. The shoot was fun , short and sweet. Photographer Lar Leslie was patient and knew what she wanted , which made my job easier. I really struggle being the one photographed , as I have gotten used to being behind the camera.  I had fun. 

Checking out

Lees

Day 83 . 14 .07.2011

Cape Town fashion week has begun. This is my favourite time of the year, as the streets are filled with quirky and chic individuals all over the city. Yesterday was the Foschini AFI FASTRACK event. This event is the official opening of Fashion Week and it gave new design students and fashion entrepreneurs a platform to display their visual interpretation of what fashion is today. This event was held at the CTICC in the city centre and most importantly, it was for free.

There were plenty of speakers, discussing the process in which a designer takes, from the idea itself to how the garment or collection is put on the shelves in retail stores. Foschini showcased its new range and so did twenty graduate students from fashion colleges.

I wasn’t able to stay as long, however I was able to see Karla Hyman, Pietrie Morton, Tina Loftus and Dalena Le Roes.  My favourite designer was Dalena Le Roes. Her collection was inspired by the 1960’s style icon Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis .Her range’s signature look elements were the perfect handbags , polka dot prints and capri pants.

She kept it simple and had very elegant appearances on each model. She emphasized the models tall and slim physique and I too could see that they felt sexy in their garments.

Overall it was a great afternoon spent with Mpilo Ngcukana (founder and designer for Simon Deporres along with Simon Pocock) and Tshakgi Mannya (Aluxism) and much needed after spending a morning filled with admin for the exhibition.

Checking out

Lees

Day 73. 04 .07.2011

My garment

I received an update from Ms.Aluxism and I am told the construction of the garment is coming along well. I feel settled knowing that it’s coming along and that I will soon, be seeing the designer in Cape Town for a few days.

It’s great to be back home and able to work easily in Cape Town, than trying to do it all from Johannesburg.

All the emails have been sent to the guest that I would like to see there, sponsors, friends and family. I think I can leave that aspect of my admin now and move on to something else.

Checking out

Lees

Day 72. 03 .07.2011

IM BACK!!!

I have been away on vacation, and I am now ready to work. Drop me an email and let’s make it happen Cape Town à anelisa.mangcu@gmail.com

Checking out

Lees

Day 63 . 24 .06.2011

 

Hello

Two months ago, Marie Claire’s body columnist Zanele Mji, asked me to document an experiment for her at the Levi’s store at the V&A Waterfront store. The experiment was to prove that the new Levi’s Curve ID™ range had a pair of jeans for every kind of women, and surprisingly it was true.

Check out this link and read more about the range  http://marieclairvoyant.com/in-this-months-issue/calling-all-curves-3

Checking out

Lees

Day 49 . 10 .06.2011

Walking down memory lane...

One of my most memorable moments with photography, was when I was interning at Cape Times. Initially, I was supposed to follow Michael Walker, who is the chief of photography. However I was still able to shadow some great photographers, and amongst the great was Matthew Jordaan and Cindy Waxa.

I took this image on one of the many and emotionally exhausting jobs. I was told I should re-think photojournalism, as it isn’t a job for the feint hearted. I found myself intercepting, trying to console, instead of taking pictures twice as fast as the actual photographer who was assigned to go with the journalist on the job. Oh well , who cares , I had fun.

Date: 2010 (September)

Medium: photography

Title: none

Location: YCMA building next to district 6 café - darling street, Cape Town

Subjects names: anonymous

Checking out

Lees

Day 44 . 05 .06.2011

Inspiration


On the 14^th post, which was on the 6^th May, I mentioned that designer and stylist Tshakgi Mannya of Aluxism approached me, offering to do collaboration in designing a garment for me to wear on the night of the opening of my exhibition. As I said in the last post, she is inspired by everything and that’s what Aluxism means. Her brand, Aluxism is the movement of being inspired, which is expressed in her own interpretation of her daily surroundings through fashion.

Ms Mannya is in Cape Town for the weekend and on Friday when we met, which was tons of fun, she mentioned ideas of creating a jumpsuit. One can never go wrong with a jumpsuit. She proposed using lace for the top half of it, and still hasn’t thought of the material for the bottom half. I love lace. If I had to give personality traits to the material lace, I would say it is sensual, feminine and understated. However, she also mentioned tea stains on the material. These are just ideas, so I will confirm the final design when I see her later on today.

I spent the day outside. I never thought it was this possible to experience so many moments of seeing beauty. This week’s weather was bewildering, as some days would start off warm and then an hour later extremely cold. The Gods were moody this week and finally today, they were at peace. My phone is giving my problems and so I can’t upload the image I took, and I didn’t take my camera with because I was walking the dogs. Have a beautiful Sunday and good luck to all those writing exams.

Checking out

Lees

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

Checking out

Lees

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.

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

Checking out

Lees

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 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 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
Lees