doing her/his thang

dexterity

 

 

above: Ntombi Mbambo posted on YouTube by Konstant515

"For half a century photography has been the "art form" of the untalented. Obviously some pictures are more satisfactory than others, but where is credit due? to the designer of the camera? To the finger on the button? To the law of averages?" 

Gore Vidal: American author, playwright, essayist, screenwriter, and political activist

accessed from http://www.photoquotes.com/showquotes.aspx?id=287&name=Vidal%20,Gore#931 

•

During my time in the department, I have come to know of students who show artistry in other area's. Some students have been Olympic synchronised swimmers (derryn 2006), Kwazulu Natalian cyclists (bronwen 2009) South African ice hockey representatives (kristyn 2011). There are/were pastry chefs (dena 2011), musicians (sibonisa 2012) wanna be musicians (siya ndlovu * wink wink 2012), poets (lelo, gcobisa, lindy 2010/2012) and  dancers (se below) ...  ...  ... and so much more TALENT to be discovered in the department, besides photography. 

This post is dedicated to showcasing students with other 'gifts'. 

Let me know via email if you know of a student who I can showcase. Simanga (aka Konstant) from first year posted these two YouTube videos of Ntombi and Monde doing their thang's outside the department in November 2011 (end of portfolio hand in!)... 

 

above: Monde Ngcobo posted on YouTube by Konstant515

C=:-)

*chef

celebrating the snapshot

Thanks to Siyanda  from year 1 for sharing this with me...
(see 'snapshot' of Siya with his best friend [see buka lapha] below)

buka lapha 

CLICK on YouTube link below to view video

Dasein: The Art of Being [what I learned from an experiment in creative living] - YouTube

(((((Handsome))))

(big hug)

matters of the heart

c•nnect the d•ts

steve jobs

 SJ says: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

  

more quotes

buka lapha 1

 •

 
Pixar: For the Birds

think different but don't treat 'different' 

  •

 Watch the motivational video below that inspired the post_
click on 'buka lapha 2' 

SJ's urges us to pursue our dreams and see the opportunities in life's setbacks, 
including death itself.

buka lapha 2

☕

4am

"At 4 in the morning Photography takes on
a new meaning"

Paulo Menezes (year1)

Sent via OUR BlackBerry's from Cyberspace- let our emails find you!

  I checked 'recent updates' on my bbm @ about 6am this morning. The quote above was Paulo Menezes's status. It caught my attention _ especially the 'new meaning' part, so I asked Paulo to share his experience with me via email/bb so that I could share it with you.

• 

 This is what Paulo wrote about 'new meaning': 

building 1

building 2

"Well, every time I shoot at sunrise (which should be more frequent) its a surreal experience. The rate at which light changes and the changes it brings about on the subjects is amazing. I think I was also grabbed by the nature of the building -how IT, as well as the light had the power to span/transport one back to previous architectural era's (see above).  I would say that my bbm status was mainly based on me witnessing the transition between 3am and 6am, between which a series of images were captured, and how this change is not merely a time lapse but potentially a laps through time itself.

Here is PM's Blurb about his 'experience' and 'thinking': 

"Yesterday I tagged along with my mom to Umhlanga in search of a 'photograph-able' building for the 'Architecture' part of my portfolio. Prior to this, I had had no luck in the Durban area - I found it very cramped and couldn't seem to find a suitable vantage point to correctly photograph a building, which is a pity 'cuz Durban has really beautiful structures (I think I need to further develop my skill in this department). So, I headed to Umhlanga with a modern building in mind (either Coastlands Hotel or one of the many office buildings in the area). 

building 3

 As I did not plan this trip (my mom had to drop off a document to clients in the area), I found myself setting up my tripod at 12 o' clock, not ideal as the sun had just come out of it's week-long hiding and was very harsh. This made exposure very difficult, with either silhouetted buildings or over-exposed skies. On the way back, we passed the Moses Mabhida stadium. I saw a small building on the outer fields surrounding the stadium which caught my eye... Which brings me to this morning (excuse the extensive intro). SO, I had planned to get up at about 5/5:30am - forgetting that summer is here and the sun rises much earlier. Luckily I had visited WeatherSA last night, after which I found myself setting my alarm clock to 3:45am (uncharted territory for both me and my bedside clock). I headed down to the stadium and got there at about 4:30am this morning. The sun hadn't risen yet but it was still fairly bright. I got to the building that I had seen and set up. It was a short wait for the first light to fall on the glass front at about 4:45/50'ish. And...well, the rest of the story lies in the images..


Attached:
1 - The building, just below the south end of the stadium.
2 - I altered the colours slightly to enhance a feeling of 'The Great Gatsby' or '1970's New York' that I immediately felt as I framed the shot through the viewfinder (I hope I have the right era).
3 - I couldn't help swivelling my tripod head toward the stadium as it takes on a pink tint for a few minutes of the day.

•

see more of PM's images on his blog_ click below

buka lapha

☕

KZNSA: Angela Buckland

TURN (our) GAZE INWARDS

On www.dut.ac.za,  Vice Chancellor Bawa states: "My decision to suspend the academic programme on Monday 25 July is underpinned by the need to put in place measures that will ensure that the University returns to a state of sustainable peace and stability – without which the pursuit of knowledge is impossible. "  

---> background to the student protests and suspension of the academic programme.

buka lapha 1

  •

... and YES the 

academic programme has been suspended indefinately till further notice

however 

that doesn't mean one should not take the opportunity to "pursuit knowledge" independently_ get to the Galleries... gather your peers, friend and camera... go explore all things Photographic.

 •

 

Angela Buckland [AB]

www.artthrob.co.za

One of the recent exhibitions @ the KZNSA features the photographic works of Durban Photographer, Angela Buckland.  Over the years, AB focus has shifted. In her earlier work she observed, responded and commented on the outer world; but the realities of being a mother has turned her gaze inwards...

---> to view AB's other exhibitions 

buka lapha 2

AB's recent exhibition entitled: LOCATION - Block A, Thokoza Women’s Hostel is an installation comprised of 700 small  photographs and is on show from 26 July - 20 August 2011.

www.nsagallery.co.za

www.nsagallery.co.za

---> to view more thumbnails of recent exhibition

buka lapha 3

BLURB from AB (sourced from www.nsagallery.co.za): 

"Thokoza Women's hostel was the first African women's hostel built in 1925 in South Africa.This new work is the sister version of a previous work completed in 2002, the oldest men's hostel in Durban, Block A, Jacobs Men's Hostel. I have been drawn to these environments because of their unnatural and complex histories. I am interested by detail, emblematic of a universal need to humanize space. I have photographed each and every resident's bed or some artefact in their bed space. The photographic strategy adopted for both artworks was to take one frame within a couple of seconds and record a trace that marks some form of humanity..." 

---> to continue reading...

buka lapha 4

•

GLOSSARY

What does humanity and 'to' humanize mean?

...these words refer to the human race • human beings collectively • the fact or condition of being human • human nature • care • dignity • kindness • brotherly love • charity • understanding • sympathy •  

human culture (literature, history, art, music, and philosophy)

trace:

to find or discover by investigation
• find or describe the origin/development of • follow or mark the course or position of (something) with one's eye, mind, or finger

• 

?'s 2u

How do these photographic works record a trace that marks some form of humanity? 

What elements in these photographs would consider to be a trace? 

☕

Mkhulu

LIGHT FROM INSIDE THE DARK ROOM

(Daily News_May 12_2011)

Photobooth

Moses Khubisa [MK] is a lecturer in the Department and is affectionately known a Mkhulu_ which when translated directly in Zulu means "Grandfather". He is currently exhibiting his work @ the DUT Art Gallery. The exhibition runs from the 3 May - 27 May.

Moses says:

 "I am a self-made, professional photographer, a self made teacher_ I have taught people and made a difference in their lives while I was suffering in my life. I have come far." Moses Khubisa (Daily News_May 12_2011)

Moses Khubisa 1970

In partial submission for his Master’s Degree in Photography Moses Khubisa is presenting a body of work at the DUT Art Gallery by members of the Imvunge group of street photographers that illustrates his dissertation titled "A documentation, investigation and evaluation of the Imvunge group of street photographers with specific reference to the development of photographic and business skills (1999-2008)". In addition Khubisa is exhibiting a series of wedding portraits that reflects his growth spanning 30 years behind the lens, first as a self taught street photographer, and later as an academic and lecture teaching photography at the Durban University of Technology. (insert from http://www.dut.ac.za/pages/22367 accessed on 19 May 2011)

From an orphan to the township street photographer to big city success_ that is the story of Moses Khubisa whose passion supported him decades of despair to finally fulfill his dreams" 

Anelisa Kubheka(Daily News_May 12_2011). 

Moses Khubisa: Mr and Mrs Mngadi_ 1973

Moses Khubisa: "Domestic Workers Wedding"_1978

Moses Khubisa: "Mrs Sile Zungu"_ 2009

Chatting with Moses and Bwalya (one of MK's former students) in my office this morning over a cup of tea (of course) Moses told us that the Imvunge group of street photographers was formed in 1999 and that 'Street Photographers' are mostly men from disadvantaged backgrounds who have had no training in Photography. These 'entrepreneurs' set themselves up at streets corners, in parks and at shopping centers equipped with a 35mm camera, displays of their work and offer to photograph passerbys (Bester 1999). I reminded Moses on how I loved how Tony Starkey (MK's supervisor) at the opening of his exhibition told the story of when he asked MK what Imvunge meant and Moses explained that it was the humming noise bees make.  Tony mentioned that he still didn't understand and Moses had to elaborate and said "it's when you look at a photo you say mmmmmm _ and then respond". :)

Imvungu Group_ Bongani Maphumulo 1999

Imvungu Group_ Julius Simbine 1999

Imvungu Group_ Bongani Maphumulo 1999

Then I asked Bwalya and Moses to elaborate a little on the word Mkhulu. We were chatting about how we use it as a term of endearment and shows respect/regard. Moses says he feels comfortable with being called Mkhulu as he says it describes how he feels about his responsibility to take care of all his grandchildren (the students).  He continued to explain that in his growth there had been many gaps and being regarded as the "Grandfather" makes him feel that he is able to cover the gaps with young children because he can be informal and get to know the students better.

Imvungu Group_ Bongani Maphumulo_ Pubity Ritual_ 2001

Moses says: "The secret about being Mkhulu is to say that you know more about how other people feel as they report to you and my growth lies in listening, and comes from the interaction with the students." The first thing that Moses does when he meets students is to introduce himself by telling the students of his history, and then he gets the students to write and tell him about their history.  MK feels that there are many students that share a similar background and by revealing his struggles he hopes that that will motivate them. For those students who have never been in that predicament he hopes that his tales will make them grateful for their parents. MK would like all students to achieve in their lives. Bwalya said: "The secret about Mkhulu doesn't lie in knowing, being the wiser but rather in the listening. Mkhulu does not tell you what to do but rather advises, thus taking the role of an elder".

Congratulations Mkhulu_ an inspiration_ we have come far

☕

Invisible Man

Liu Bolin

http://www.dailymail.co.uk

This was passed on to me by current 3rd year Werner Traut  

(click on WT's name to see blog entry) 

Read more on this incredible Artist by clicking hyperlink below:

buka lapha

I have extracted KEYWORDS from the website that I like. They help to contextualize his work...

Look carefully • lurking • outsider • not fitting in 

• standing silently • himself as a blank canvas • a silent protest

☕

Ted.com_ Thomas Thwaites

watch the video

How to build a toaster from scratch

...another tinkerer

from TED talks: www.ted.com

☕

PPP...Paulo's Published Photograph

WELL done 2
Paulo Menezes

[a current first year] 

for having his photograph published in this months edition of the PIX magazine.

 

I was at the La Lucia Mall's Exclusive Books and was paging through the Photographic Magazines and 'discovered' Paulo's image and so, when I saw him on Monday in lectures asked him to send me an email of the image and a short 'blurb' to outline the image. 

This is what PM emailed me: The image depicts a garden pot backed by rounded wooden slats. The scene forms part of a neighbour's boundry wall. What drew me to this shot was the way the light fell on the scene, and how it brought out the texture of both the pot and the wooden slats. The image was taken at midday in overcast conditions. No flash was used. 
Camera:           Olympus E-520 with an Olympus 14-42mm lens
Exposure:         1/15 at f13 (ISO 100)   

☕ 

...talking about guerilla/gorilla

KOKO

Do you know about the Gorilla who took her own photograph and made front cover of the National Geographic in 1978.

[ I was eight years old]

Gorilla Foundation co-founder, vice president and photo-documentarian Dr. Ronald Cohn initially showed Koko how to use a camera with a tripod for the National Geographic article about Project Koko in 1978 and she snapped her refelction in the mirror.

buka lapa 

[for the source & other incredible magazine covers that made history]

What does this cover imply... all primates show potential to be good photographers!

...there's a new SHERIFF in town

welcome 

AKABONGWE

congratulations to ZA and GEE 
and PHILAS for her new brother

destined to be a PHOTOGRAPHER...

Guerrila Gardening invite

all welcome

CHECK OUT some of the  interesting workshops to be held_ get involved and learn a different way of expressing yourselves visually...

Happy Birthday Madiba

king • star • love

"happy birthday" sung by: Soweto Gospel Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZVm854lMhk
photo:http://hooponoponoinsights.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/m1.jpg
illustration: myself

Jenna my niece said that on her drive home from Umhlanga to Ridge Road in Durban... one day she counted 750 South African Flags... It sounds impossible...
Try it... remember some cars have 3 flags [2x side mirrors and a window flag].
This is an image of my car sock taken at the berg...

a juxtaposition of the bright flag colours against the barren isolated landscape of Injusuthi