Day 103 . 03 .08.2011

Yesterday I had my last meeting with Deryck and I had my last look at the gallery. We discussed the wine , when and where it will be delivered , the prints , my expectation of the overall exhibition and many other things.  After I left the gallery , I realized that there is no turning back. There are days where I am extremely confident and other days I am my own worst enemy in this process , but the show must go on. 28 days left.

Checking out

Lees

Day 102 . 02 .08.2011

This week I am printing my pieces. However before I do so , I need to go show Deryck my pieces and get some advice on which images should be A0 , A1 and A2. I have made my decision on which images should be printed and the sizes that it would need to be , but I feel better getting a second opinion.

Today I am having three meetings that are exhibition related. I figured I should do as much as I can this week , so that I have less to worry about later and that I can give my full attention to my sisters 21st birthday.

Checking out

Lees

Day 101 . 01 .08.2011

I have been receiving confirmation from a lot people , that they will be attending the opening on Facebook , email , phone calls and verbally on the street . I am so excited to be sharing this form of art that is a huge part of me with those that I love and know. I have exactly 30 days until the opening and I cant begin to describe how crazy it all feels.

THANK YOU THANK YOU for making this journey worth it.

Checking out

Lees

Day 100 . 31 .07.2011

WE HAVE HIT THE 100 DAYS MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHOOOP WHOOOP.

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Lees

Day 99 . 30 .07.2011

Today I will be meeting with Deryck for an update session. We will be looking at; my progress, things we expect from one another as well speak about the placing of things for the opening night.

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Lees

Day 96 . 27 .07.2011

I went to my mentor today, and I showed her my collection. We spent an hour discussing each image, its strength and its weakness. It was great receiving a more experienced artist’s opinion and also looking at the images I see so often in a different view point.

I shared with her, my biggest fear about this whole journey, and that was what if the viewers don’t understand my work I would be crushed. She laughed at me, saying that they probably won’t. If she is able to laugh about it all, then I should too. 

She reminded me that everyone has a different opinion on what works and what doesn’t, but what matters the most is when one is confident and proud of their own work.

I am proud of my collection, so I guess that is all that matters. Thank you J  (you know who you are.)

Checking out

Lees

Day 95 . 26 .07.2011

I took a lot of pictures today, but there is one that I really like. I am thinking of including it in my collection. It works really well with my chosen theme and the perspective is different from the other images in the series of works that I will be exhibiting. 

Checking out

Lees

Day 94 . 25 .07.2011

 I had a presentation today and all went well, so now I am able to balance out my work rather than completely putting my energy into one thing and ignoring the other.

It is a new week, with just over a month before the opening of the exhibition.  This week, I will be focusing on my pieces and making sure they are ready for printing which will commence next week. The pieces will be printed on canvas, so I am looking into various printers for different types of wood for the actual stretching of the canvas. 

I am not sure if I want the wood to be obeche stretchers or pine stretchers. I have this week to make final decisions for the printing that should be commencing next week.

Checking out

Lees

Day 91 . 22 .07.2011

I got an email from Deryck. The poster and the exhibition details are up on the rococo website!

 

http://www.rococorocks.co.za/studio_gallery_and_function_and_event_venue_cape_town/whats_on/whats_on.html

It’s happening...

Checking out

Lees

Day 90 . 21 .07.2011

Today is officially 41 days until the opening...

Lectures ended  really early today, so I will be spending the day with my camera. I have been so occupied with the admin, the overall exhibition and my pieces, that I haven’t taken any pictures for the fun of it, in a long time. 

At this point of the process, I am expecting over 60 people, to be at the opening, which is more than I could have imagined. I am feeling good about it as a whole and yes the nerves are slowly catching up with me.

I know I have invited a lot of people, but I want the opening to feel intimate, as a result, I have decided to only print the posters after the opening while focusing on publicizing the series of works to art buyers.

Tomorrow is Friday, which means I only have three lectures. This means I will be able to meet up with the potential cinematographers for my documentary that will be shot on my last week of the 131 days journey.

Checking out

Lees

Day 88 . 19 .07.2011

It’s my second day back at school, and I am feeling good about this semester. I am more focus on settling in than trying to do a lot in a short space of time. I know I am a natural at multi-tasking, however I was recently told by a concerned friend that she thinks I over work myself and that I will burn out before November. I found statement hilarious, but I am also aware that her statement might be true. So until I feel settled this week, only then will I continue work for the exhibition.

In my previous posts I spoke about Fashion week and strangely enough didn’t see the need to be snapping away and uploading images. This image below was spotted on the Elle website and next to me is Tshakgi Mannya of Aluxism, who is designing my two garments for the opening of my exhibition. Thank you for the feature Elle.

Here is a link to see my extremely stylish friends who have also been featured  http://www.elle.co.za/fashion/out-and-about-at-ctfw/  


Check out the Elle website http://www.elle.co.za

Checking out

Lees

Day 84 . 15 .07.2011

It’s officially 47 days away until the opening and yes, the feeling I have is daunting kind. My family arrives from their holiday this afternoon and all I want to do is spend the whole day with them, but unfortunately I can’t. I have to meet up with a potential cinematographer for my documentary, as it’s clear, time is ticking away. This meeting will be a chance to see his work, communicate my vision and idea for this documentary and decide whether or not we will be working together. I am looking forward to it.

I am not sure if I will be attending any shows today, however if I do, I will take pictures this time and again give a full report. I am hearing a lot of good reports on Cape Town Fashion Week and the young emerging creative’s that this city has to offer.

May you all have an amazing start to the weekend...

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Lees

Day 82 . 13 .07.2011

I think I might have a cinematographer for my documentary. I am so blessed to have options, so now I will be meeting with the candidates and see their style and hopefully one of them is exactly what I am looking for in terms of style and vision. This documentary will be informative and a way to express my passion for my craft and life in general.

Crossing fingers*

Checking out

Lees

Day 81 . 12 .07.2011

The lovely Tshakgi Mannya, who is designing a garment for me, for the opening of the exhibition, is in town. As expected, she would tell me to drop everything I had planned and go with her to the Cape Town Fashion Week dinner launch hosted by AFI in Mouille Point; at an Italian restaurant we locals love, called Pepenero. AFI's aim is to promote and develop South Africa and African fashion and bring it into the mainstream. The night was great and everyone in the room looked so stylish. I met a lot of fun and warm people and found myself clubbing with them later.

Allana Finley (Marketing manager of AFI) welcomed us all with a great introduction about the purpose of the night and Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe (Chairperson of AFI - African Fashion International) spoke to us about Africa's vision for fashion and how it effects the economy, how it contributes positively to our continent socially and how far we have come as a continent in the world of fashion.

I bumped into my friend Kwena Baloyi (Fashion Assistant for Drum) and finally met Oratile Seabela (new Fashion Editor of Drum) who is so genuine and warm. Our table was filled with women, which resulted in a lot of gossip and laughter.

Thank you to the AFI team for an amazing night. I am looking forward to a week of fashion.

Checking out

Lees

Day 80 . 11 .07.2011

Its day 80

I am still on the hunt for someone who can document (medium: film) the last week of this journey, and fortunately I have been meeting some great candidates. It’s easy for people to tell you that they are good at something, but it’s a totally different thing when they show you their skill. Last night (Cold Turkey) is a bit of a blur, but I do remember meeting this one guy who sounded keen on filming my vision.  

So its 51 days until the opening and more and more guest are confirming that they will be attending the opening of “The moments’ amidst the chaos.  Thank goodness they will also be a cash bar available on the night, as I was beginning to worry that I won’t have enough bottles of wine on the night and secondly those who can only drink beer and ciders will be catered for as well.

It’s Monday and time to work.  I am so lucky to be on holiday. I have time to rest from time to time. I can’t say that before, I didn’t have time for myself because this exhibition is exactly that. I hope that makes sense.

Thank you to my team and sponsors. Your help throughout this process has been amazing.

Checking out

Lees

Day 79 . 10 .07.2011

I woke up this morning with a sick feeling in my stomach…

The anxiety is kicking in. With less than 52 days left until the opening, there is still so much to do. I realize that as I get to a point where all the admin and imperative things that I had planned are all done, I add on more on my list of things to do.

I feel like I am settling half the time and that scares me, and so I find myself organizing back up for this and that. I sometimes wish I was doing a collaborative, so I could share this feeling with someone, but then that would defeat the whole purpose of this journey.

I think the realization that I can’t turn back freaks the hell out of me. I usually run to my parents or siblings during moments like these, but some are in Johannesburg and others abroad. The constant reminder (to myself) that choices are based on free will and that I made a choice to bring this idea to life, because I know I am capable of it, brings me a sense of relief.

Today is my moment of doubt, regret, fear and concern. I know tomorrow will be different. I will continue to do as I have been doing for the past 59 days, which is bringing my idea and dream to life. My optimism is heightened during times when I feel most vulnerable, and so I will indulge in this feeling and hopefully learn a lot from it.

Time flies, it really does. I am less than half way into this journey and every day I have been blessed tremendously. Never did I think I would be meeting so many talented, supportive, insightful, experienced and loving people all because of one concept.

I began writing this post with a knot in my stomach and now I am ending it with a smile on my face. It’s crazy what a little bit of self therapy can do.

Have a blessed Sunday and may your week begin on a new and positive note.

Checking out

Lees

Day 70 . 01 .07.2011

Hello

I am so blessed to have such an amazing family. Johannesburg has been so much fun and all those who have made it amazing for me, I thank you.

Exhibition is in 61 days.  The days are passing by so fast. I can not wait!

Checking out

Lees 

Day 62 . 23 .06.2011

I am getting the poster today J

I am so excited.  It’s nearly the end of the month and by July, I had planned to have gotten most of the PR part done. Yes, my plan sounds crazy but all I need is time, and that, I have now. I have so much faith in my graphic designer Lisa Robertson, and so I know that the outcome of our idea will be beautiful. She is so meticulous and talented; I can’t wait to see it.

The poster is not only important for the advertising of the exhibition, but it is also important as a document of proof. I need to send this poster to my sponsorers, so they know that they are sponsoring an actual event. I never knew how much work goes into organizing an event without the guidance of a P.R manager or an events manager . I now believe that anyone can do it, you just have to be willing to sacrifice a lot of your time.

Checking out

Lees

Day 61 . 22 .06.2011

The freedom of being on vacation…

I am fortunate to be able to wake up at any hour that I please because I am on vacation. My body seems to wake up early, in need of work and that’s because it’s been used to that for so long, as a result I am awake at 8am. I have a lot of submission dates for this exhibition, but I haven’t printed it out so that I am on time with everything. Today I will be spending the day typing out all my important submission dates and exactly what I am meant to hand in. I will be completing my artist statement and an updated version of my CV to send to Deryck van Steenderen (gallery manager). The admin part is the boring part of the exhibition process, and I need to get most of it done before I go to Johannesburg this Sunday.

Checking out

Lees

Day 59 . 20 .06.2011

72 days until the opening…

Eeeek!  It’s around the corner.  There are still a few things to be done and organized and considering the fact that I am half way of this process, I really do not have much time left.

A month ago, I was approached by the Brand Manager, Elzine Gawaxab, of L’agence TKN Models, who were interested in featuring me for their weekly ‘Ekapa -Up n Coming Talent”.

Check it out  à http://www.lagencetknmodels.co.za/up-and-coming or http://www.lagencetknmodels.co.za/lisa-mangcu-photography and also check out their website à http://www.lagencetknmodels.co.za

Checking out

Lees