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24 Friday 07 - 13 December 2018 The Southern Times ■ ARTS NATIONAL ART GALLERY > From Page 23 tion of the results from art Cometogether workshops in the Khomas, Kavango East, Oshana and Hardap regions. The exhibition officially opens on 6 December 2018. AN: What programmes and projects did the NAGN successfully carry out during the year, regarding the promotion of visual and cultural arts in Namibia? SK: We showcased 20 exhibitions thus far, including four solo exhibitions, four exhibitions by international artists and 16 exhibitions featuring local artists and participated in the Oshakati Totem Expo. Thus far, the NAGN received 7,586 local, regional and international visitors. And 275 artists exhibited at NAGN with 758 artworks displayed in the gallery and extended venues from January to November 2018. As part of our educational and research programme, we hosted 21 walkabouts for scholars, students, group visits. We accommodated five research projects using the NAGN collection. We also hosted six artists’ workshops including Tulipamwe International Artist Workshop, which accommodated 25 regional, international and local artists, 125 artworks were created during the workshop, of which 97 artworks were exhibited at the NAGN. Another series of workshop worth mentioning is the four RMB Art Cometogether Workshops which took place in Khomas, Kavango East, Hardap and Oshana Regions. This initiative is part of the National Art Gallery of Namibia strategic objectives, which is to facilitate the production of innovative works of art and craft in Namibia and to develop educational programmes in respect of visual art and craft activities in collaboration with appropriate institutions and service providers. Over 200 participants (scholars, art students, and community people) participated in the respective workshops, sponsored by First National Bank (FNB) through Namibia Rand Merchant Bank (RMB). These types of workshops are facilitated by professional artists and will be rolled out in the 14 regions of Namibia until 2020. The art and craft produced at the workshops in 2018 will be exhibited at the NAGN as from 6 December 2018. Six Happy Art Hours took place during the year. Happy art hour is a casual evening at the gallery, which takes place every Friday of the first week of each month to allow art lovers to interact and get an opportunity to partake in side events like talk from artists exhibiting at the gallery, enjoying music. It is also a tool used by NAGN to attract new clientele. To decentralise NAGN activities, I Initiated consultative meetings with regional governors, constituency councillors and the visual artists to find out the status of the visual arts in their respective regions/ constituencies and how we could collaborate to implement art-related activities in the regions. Thus, taking the services to the regions instead of expecting artists to come to Windhoek to benefit from NAGN programmes. All consultations held so far were very fruitful. We managed to unpack a lot of talent and already agreed on the way forward for 2019. The regions visited thus far are Hardap, //Kharas, Kavango East and Oshana Region. More than 300 participants attended the consultation meetings. The consultations will continue during 2019 in other regions. More than 60 visual artists participated in the consultation meetings. The purpose of the meetings was to inform the artists on NAGN mandate and how they, as artists, can partake in NAGN programmes. During the consultations, we also visited individual artist studios and art entrepreneurs, which was an astonishing experience as the team witnessed the volume of talent we have in our regions, which is hidden due to non-existing platforms through which our regional artists can be promoted and developed. Our communications and marketing officer had interviews with specific artists on their journey in becoming a practising artist, and the articles have been featured in our monthly newsletters. AN: What are the main challenges that are preventing the NAGN from successfully carrying out its mandate, which is to promote visual and cultural arts in Namibia? SK: Limited infrastructure to decentralise our activities. However, I am confident with the collaborations and networking I embarked upon with the regional governors and constituency councillors to identify venues in their respective constituencies where we can have art activities, the challenge will become something of the past moving forward. Staff capacity, vis-à-vis, our mandate to serve all Namibian visual artists is a challenge, thus difficult to expand our staff structure to meet the service delivery demand. AN: What do we expect in the New Year – 2019? SK: Quite exciting programmes are lined up for 2019, starting with a well-thought out exhibition calendar, which is already fully booked. First of its kind will be the creative exhibition, which will showcase Namibian artists and artisans art and craftwork in celebration of 29 years of independence. This exhibition is an opportunity for creatives of all kinds across the [length and] breadth of the Namibian nation to submit [their] work. Creatives are encouraged to create work that is inspired by or that uses material from their surrounding environment. The exhibition encourages creatives to submit work that is truly Namibian. The project aims to bring creatives from various backgrounds, from the more “traditional” forms of making to the more “contemporary”. The exhibition’s aim is to provide a platform to a wider variety of Namibian artists, from all disciplines, to come into contact with each other through their art. It also aims to create a space in which non-artists (through the collaborative process) can gain exposure to the process of art making as well as feel some ownership over the products. Art workshops in the regions through networking between experienced artists and upcoming artists will be encouraged during 2019. In collaboration with the respective constituencies in the regions, the NAGN will introduce visual art week, where the artists in those specific constituencies will showcase their art for enjoyment, appreciation and selling. NAGN will explore opportunities for our artists to participate on regional and international platforms to showcase their artworks. Bonang’s P150,000 tag irks Bots presenters ■ Bakang Mhaladi Gaborone - Youthful Botswana radio station, Yarona FM has chosen South African socialite, Bonang Matheba to host the growing Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs) in early February, amid reports she will pocket a cool P150,000. This reportedly irked local presenters, who included the station’s two morning show hosts, Brando and Robin Chivaze, who wanted the management to include some of its own, and spread the P150,000 earning. The two were immediately suspended, before they resigned this week. However, the station is pressing ahead with Matheba as the awards presenter, with reports that the station was looking for a high-profile personality to sell the red carpet event. Despite the controversy surrounding the choice of Matheba, organisers said the focus of the event is on artists’ brands, with a view to grow them beyond the local market. “Queen B (Bonang), South African global brands magnate and socialite, will host the night of glamour. The event is expected to draw local and regional artists,” the station said in a statement. Matheba will host the show alongside the station’s Leungo Pitse. The YAMAs are expected to be a glamorous music and fashion event, and the organisers hope that by roping in Matheba, the event’s status will be elevated. “Over and beyond well-choreographed scenes and polished performances, there will be a twist. Internationally acclaimed artists will work behind the scenes in empowerment workshops for skills transfer with Botswana artists,” the station said. The event will be dubbed ‘Retro 5’ and Yarona FM said it is all about rebirth and reflection. “We realise that there is life beyond the stage. Before the last spotlight goes off, artists have to identify and categorise opportunities at their disposal for growth. It is about expanding current networks,” the station manager, Kelly Ramputswa told the media. Emerging artist, Han-C is expected to dominate the night with his hit song ‘Rejection’ which has dominated airwaves of late. He teamed up with Botswana DJ Kuchi, to release a fast paced tune that is expected to dominate the festive season functions. Defined as one of the purest talent to emerge from Botswana, Han-C will replace ATI, who was the undoubted man of the stage at the last YAMAs, where he walked away with three awards, after the release of ‘Kiring khorong’.a
The Southern Times Friday 07 - 13 December 2018 25 ■ ARTS Maiden Talibaaza Festival launch in Oshakati ■ Sharon Kavhu Windhoek - Art festivals bring different talents and creative ideas together to improve the sense, taste and skills of artwork in a given community. Art needs to be nurtured and there is always something to learn from one another and this makes art festival relevant in the growth of the arts industry. In a bid to promote artistic works in Oshakati and other towns, Trending World, a Namibian events promotion company, is set to launch an annual event dubbed Talibaaza Festival on 14-15 December at the Oshakati Independence Stadium. The festival, which derives its name from an Oshakati informal phrase ‘it is well’, is a platform for promoting visual arts in Namibia as the artists are given a platform to sell as well as showcase their products and services. Trending World Creative Director, Frans Ugwanga says the exhibition platform is meant to promote business development and entrepreneurial skills within the creative and showbiz industry and connect creatives in Oshakati. “We decided to launch the festival in Oshakati because the youth living outside Windhoek always feel that there is not enough productive social empowerment gatherings happening in their respective towns. It is also a platform to create opportunities for our own people and a platform for artists living in Oshakati to showcase their art works,” said Ugwanga. He said the festival would also have workshops to educate on creative marketing, management, media relations, advertising and seeking sponsorships. The festival start at 10h00 until 13h00 on both days and from 13h00 to 16h00 there will be sporting tournaments ranging from soccer, basketball and netball. In the evening, from 21h00 there will be musical bashes and exhibitions will be ongoing. The festival is also meant to bring artists together to exchange ideas as well as raise funds for the construction of the Oshakati Town Council’s arts centre and hosting a Christmas dinner party for the elderly. From the proceedings of the festival, 30% will go towards the establishment and construction of the arts centre in Oshakati, 10% will go towards the Oshakati Town Council’s mayoral fund and another 10% will go towards hosting a Christmas dinner party for the elderly. According to Ugwanga, the planned arts centre will house a recording studio, video production and technology lab, art gallery and a conference room. Retiring Trompies return to Bots for farewell tour ■ Bakang Mhaladi Gaborone - As celebrated South African kwaito group, Trompies prepare to drop the mic at the end of a glittering career, Botswana has been included on a farewell tour, with four shows planned for this month. Trompies were in the country in September for a sold-out show, but immediately announced plans to leave the game after more than two decades of churning smashing kwaito hits. However, they have not released a new album since their 2015 production ‘Respect Toasted Gona Ganati’, but remain a popular group in most Southern African countries. The group redefined kwaito music, and added a new street fashion sense and produced hits such as ‘Magsman’, ‘Sigiya Ngengoma’, ‘Madibuseng’, ‘Bengimngak’a, and ‘Sweety Lavo’, among countless top productions. However, after 25 years behind the mic, the group has decided to call it a day. The show promoter’s, 7-eleven spokesperson, Letlhogile Mpuang said initially, the group was scheduled to hold two shows in Botswana, but that has since grown to six. “Trompies will be in Botswana from December 15 as part of their farewell tour in Botswana. Initially, there were supposed to do two shows in Molepolole and Palapye but we have since agreed to add new dates,” Mpuang told The Southern Times last week. Mpuang said there were issues with their scheduled Palapye show, and the organisers are still looking for an alternative venue in the Central District town. Apart from Molepolole, the Trompies will perform in the diamond mining town of Orapa on December 15, move to Ramotswa, a village 40 kilometres south of Gaborone, before another show in the northwest resort town of Maun on Christmas Eve. Trompies wrap up their tour with a show in Molepolole, 50km west of Gaborone, on December 29. Mpuang said there is a possibility of adding new dates, to enable fans to bid the group farewell. “Trompies felt that Botswana has been one of the countries where they have been mostly appreciated, and there is no better way to say goodbye to their fans,” Mpuang said. He added that the group will identify an underprivileged family or charity organisation and donated part of the tour’s proceeds as a way of giving back to the community. Another well-known kwaito group, Alaska, will accompany the Trompies on their Botswana leg of the farewell tour. The Trompies were last in Botswana in September where they performed before a capacity crowd at the Botswana Craft in Gaborone.
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