Day 86 . 17 .07.2011

Fashion week was crazy. So crazy that Tshakgi Mannya and I weren't able to speak about the garment that she is designing and creating for the opening. I wasn’t aware that she was making two garments, but knowing her, she wants her clients to have options. Thank you Aluxism. Today she leave’s for Johannesburg, as Cape Town Fashion Week is over and I think all that attended can say that it was a great success.

I am overwhelmed by the response to my request of needing people who would be able to shoot the documentary. I have males and females who are extremely interested and talented which is amazing, however, their portfolio is what matters the most to me. I start varsity tomorrow and I hope that I will be able to make time for as many meetings with these talented candidates as possible, so I can make a decision on who I will be working with by the end of the week. I will start shooting on the 21^st August 2011 and onto the 1^st September.

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 71 . 02 .07.2011

My last few hours in Johazzurdsburg

This city has shown me life, and for that I thank you. I have seen the party scene for what it is , the crazy traffic , congested buildings , wide roads , large mall ,  the guys who still rock do-rags ( excuse the spelling ) in general and the many hustling cab drivers.

Most importantly, thank you to my family and a shout out to my cousin Abongile Tshiki for being an amazing person, host and cousin. Love you doll.

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 69 . 30 .06.2011

My last few days in JHB and 62 days left until the opening...

I was meant to go jamming tonight, but the admin that I have been delaying to attend to is becoming overwhelming. So, tonight I will be doing it all tonight and tomorrow I hit the streets. I think it’s a blessing I decided to take this vacation, as I am getting a lot of perspective in my approach to this exhibition. I have a different outlook on three important factors to this project. Going bigger and bold with the creative aspect of it, I need to look into my business strategy, as well as the media side. Only people in Johannesburg could have this influence on me.

Checking out

Lees

Day 68 . 29 .06.2011

Meeting number 1 in…

My uncle Bobo Pemba, who manages the late George Pemba’s (my great-grandfather) art work and our family gallery in Port Elizabeth, New Brighton resides in Johannesburg, and so this morning he picked me up and took me out for breakfast in Morningside at Tashas.

He suggested some contacts that could sponsor more wine for the event. I haven’t predicted the number of people that will be at the opening, which is on the 1^st September, so I am going big with the number of cases just in-case.

We spoke of other projects that we would like to do together, and I can’t wait to start on it next year. This time, I will be the creative director for this project rather than the person exhibiting work. I first need to get through this exhibition before I start focusing let alone speaking about other projects.

                                                                                                                                      

Checking out

Lees

Day 67 . 28 .06.2011

My break in Johannesburg...

I have been in Johannesburg for two days now and I haven’t felt this relaxed in a while. Seeing family and friends was my main mission in coming to this city. However, I can’t runaway from work, so I am still finding myself working on the exhibition, sending out emails, tweeting about it and trying to think of how I will be making a facebook group promoting it.

The emails that I have been receiving are regarding collaborations and all types of sponsorships. I still can’t get over how blessed I have been throughout this process.

There are no mountains or see breeze in this city. I find it strange. It’s congested with buildings and cars. It’s far from home (and that’s what I need now), so that’s all that matters.

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 57 . 18 .06.2011

Back to reality…

I had a great three days of celebrating but enough is enough. I haven’t worked on the music I want to be played on the night of the opening. I don’t have an excuse as to why I haven’t thought about a plan to make it a reality, but I do know it should be a priority.

I was looking back at the team of people assisting me in making my night everything I need it to be, and other than Deryck van Steenderen the gallery manager, they consist of women only. This wasn’t one of those intentional things, I guess it just happened. I have no complaints and instead it excites me. Its about time women dominate even more.

June is coming to an end and this frightens me, as it means the exhibition is around the corner. I knew that time would fly but this is overboard. I am hitting the streets of Johannesburg. I love this city but I need a vacation. Can’t wait to see all my family and spend quality time with each and every one of them, especially my cousins. It might be impossible to do so in a space of 5 days, but I will make it work.

The birthday celebrations are over and so its time to start studying as I write on the 21^st June.  Wish me luck ya’ll.

Checking out

Lees

Day 45 . 06 .06.2011

 

The outfit, the after-party and the poster….

My designer, Tshakgi Mannya of Aluxism, is going back to Johannesburg this evening. I shall miss her, but at least we were able to narrow down the many options that we had spoken about as well as collected together, since we last spoke about collaborating.  I am excited to see what she comes up with, as we are in separate cities so I won’t be able to be a part of the creation every step of the way.

I almost forgot about focusing on what I would like to do after the opening of the exhibition. Normally people host big after-parties, but I would like to go to a place that caters for both markets, that is central and has an amazing vibe on a Thursday night, and the only place that came to mind was The Waiting Room, which is above Royale Eatery in Long Street. I emailed Simone, one of the managers, and asked whether it would be possible to have those who are keen to jam afterwards there and she agreed. The idea isn’t to have a private party, but for my guests to go somewhere afterwards, to hang out and listen to good music and obviously celebrate the success of the opening. She mentioned that the DJ’s will be playing their set from 9pm, so everyone could come along after the opening as the please and that they will be no cover charge. YAY!

I spoke to Lisa Robertson, (who is the graphic designer working on the poster) to inform her on where I would like my guest to join me after the exhibition, so that she would include that information on the poster. She will be working on the poster this week and by next week, it should be ready. I can’t wait to see how it looks. I am fortunate to be working with people who completely understand my vision and who know me, and so I am able to let them do their own thing without any anxiety from my side.

Happy birthday to my friend of many years and supporter of 131 days (right from the start), Palesa Sankoloba, I hope your day was amazing.

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 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