south africa – The Cultural Exposé

Something you should see… Asha Zero: Numberrs exhibition at Pertwee, Anderson & Gold

The Cultural Exposé — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:00:40 +0000

Since Asha Zero’s solo debut in 2008, this ‘former teenage skatepunk’ from South Africa has caught the attention of art collectors worldwide with his distinct works on contemporary urban culture. Zero’s style – which at first glance appears very similar to collages of the modernist and Dadaist traditions – is anything but. What you see is a photorealistic painting of a collage – and down to the last tear, rip, fold and scribble, the entire composition has been painted by hand. His first London exhibition in Soho features 15 new labour intensive works to marvel at.

Zero’s work samples images from the mass media with hints of the urban street culture of his skateboarding days in the city of Kempton Park, SA. It’s this daily information overload of newspaper headlines, posters, print ads, fashion spreads, music videos, stickers, album covers and street art that inform his trompe l’oeil compositions. That all of Zero’s previous exhibitions have sold out is a testament to his rising stock in the art world. Go see what all the fuss is about. (Words: Eri Otite)

Asha Zero: Numberrs is showing at Pertwee, Anderson & Gold, Bateman Street, W1D 3AQ from October 2 – October 23. For more info, visit www.pertweeandersongold.com

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Somewhere you should go… Afrovibes Festival 2012

Jane Duru — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 10:00:07 +0000

October seems to be rivalling the summer months for arts festivals this year, with what seems like a dozen film festivals, a restaurant festival and photography festival taking place this month – but if you want to get all of your culture fixes in one place, there’s only one place to go – the Afrovibes festival in South and East London.

This Dutch festival celebrating all things South African, comes to London, before touring around the rest of the UK – and it seems fitting that the migratory event is happening during Black History Month. Taking place at Stratford Circus and The Albany in Deptford, the aim is to show something of contemporary SA beyond a reputation for crime and a predilection for vuvuzelas. The centre of the action will be at the Township Café, where you’ll find an eclectic and thought-provoking roster of activities. There’ll be new music from Soweto Kinch and the Sibikwa African Orchestra, several South African plays showing fresh from the Edinburgh festival (plus the opportunity to meet the cast and crew afterwards), as well as a photography exhibition focusing on the legacy of apartheid. Also on offer throughout the week is a smorgasbord in the way of authentic food, short films, poetry, dance, pre-show talks and late night debates. So whatever your cultural bag, you’re sure to find something to take your fancy. (Words: Jane Duru)

The Afrovibes Festival runs until October 7th at The Albany, Douglas Way Deptford, SE8 4AG and Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, E15 1BX. For more info, visit www.afrovibes2012.co.uk

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Something you should see… The Suit

Jane Duru — Mon, 28 May 2012 10:00:27 +0000

Living in London, it’s rare that you feel you’re missing out. Occasionally, you may just wish you were somewhere else, like when your favourite band is on a tour that forgot to include the capital, or when there’s a world-class exhibition happening on the other side of the Atlantic which has no intention of transferring. Thankfully, that feeling is rare; indeed the mountain comes to Mohammed quite a lot.

That’s especially true with theatre: case in point – The Suit. After receiving rave reviews for its run in Paris’s Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, acclaimed theatre director Peter Brooks is bringing his highly anticipated musical version of Can Themba’s short story to be performed at Young Vic as part of the World Stages season.

Set against the backdrop of apartheid in 1950s South Africa, The Suit revolves around the story of a young man who finds his wife in bed with her lover. The lover flees, leaving behind only his suit but instead of inflicting a normal punishment, the husband decides upon an unusual course of revenge; the suit must be treated as if it were an honoured guest – taken for walks, fed at the dinner table, entertained. Its presence serves as a daily reminder of the wife’s betrayal and shame, but the outcome of this treatment is one that will have the audience questioning sacred notions of cruelty and oppression. Definitely one to watch. (Words: Jane Duru)

The Suit runs at the Young Vic, 26 May – 16 June. For more info: www.youngvic.org/whats-on/the-suit

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