Visual art and dance collide at two day arts feast in Mpumalanga
Dumelang! Let’s Get reacquainted through inter-disciplinary residencies
By CityLife Arts Writer
From March 21 to April 3, a cross-section of 20 local Dullstroom and Emthonjeni performers , crafters and visual artists are coming together to explore new possibilities through an inter-disciplinary residency period in Mpumalanga.
Artists from the Dullstroom area include: Chipo Rambani (paint, sewing & crochet specialist) and Dorcas Rambani (visual artist and crafter) of Nhlakos Logistics ; Collen Ndou & Roseline Ndlovu of Rossey Deiights (fabric & upholstery); Dingaan Mkhonto (fine art drawing); Vusimuzi Masina & International Dec Donorr (gumboot dance); Keletso Paile and Samuel Makua (Bhujwa and Contemporary dance); Kamogelo Phetla & Bad Boys Gumboots Dance Group (gumboot dance); Thapelo Madi (Sepedi dance); and Zachariah Ratau (fine art – painting); Deon & Buhle Mahlangu of DeonM Art Gallery (fine art – portrait art sketches done with paint, pencil and pen).
Emthonjeni artists are: Alucia Kumalo (beading and shoe art); Stanford Lubisi (fine art – pencil and oils, etching/lino print); Banele Thulare (acapella); Patric Wate of Getto Ruff Pantsulas (pantsula dance); Yellow Pain Entertainment, a small record label which consists of Danny-k and Tee DA (hip-hop music); Gift Nkambule (visual artist); Patricia Masina (Praise Poet); Johannah Ntuli (crafter – baskets, mats and beadwork); Qiniso Dhlamini representing the 20 member Ubuhle BeMpumalanga dance group (siSwati traditional dance); Izintombi Zomdabu (isiZulu traditional dance group) led by Sonto Masina and Thembi Mtshweni (beading,sewing, crafting).
Representing one of the three collaborating clusters for the Dullstroom area Deon Mahlangu says: “We hope to bring awareness of the negative effects that substance abuse has especially on the youth – teenage pregnancy, unrealized dreams and a bleak future. We are bringing hope through art as an expression.”
Stanford Lubisi says: “I hope that out of our collaboration will come a delicious seven colours Sunday Kos Meal, delicious food. Who doesn’t enjoy dance, art and music? It’s part of life, so when we mix them all together, we come out with delicious food.”
Representing one of the four collaborating clusters of Emthonjeni, hip hop artist Danny-k says: “We hope that this will be a new product that was never seen before. We will discover that one way or another in art there is a connection, a meeting point where collaboration comes in”
Emthonjeni artist Sonto Masina, leader of Izintombi Zomdabu Zulu traditional dance group, expresses a desire to “get some recognition from featuring in the festival and MBMS’s social media platforms, to be able to get featured in other festivals. We want people to see that Machado has talent that loves the art forms that they do. We would really love it if one day there could be a camp for all kinds of traditional dance groups. We want to gain more knowledge and to keep learning about what collaboration is.”
The works to be conceived during the meetings, will be showcased on:
April 2 at 11:00, Sakhelwe Hall and April 3 at 11:00 at the Emthonjeni Hall. Both days will also host a market. All events are open to the public. If sho’t left visitors to the area would like to watch the weekend showcases, or witness MBMS22 artists-in-residency developing works, please contact Neli on: neli@forgottenangle.co.za
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