Monday, August 27, 2007

TLTL (Too Little Too Late) Awards 2007

Three individuals who have made a significant contribution to the arts, media and design industry in South Africa are to be saluted at an awards ceremony to be held at the Playhouse, Durban on the 31st August 2007. The late Karoonakaran P Pillay and Kessie Govender will be receiving the TLTL "Too Little Too Late" Award. Nise Malange will receive the Art Media and Design Achievers Award.

In 2006, G Mahalingum, Farook Khan and the late Strinivasa “Strini” Moodley were awarded the TLTL Award for their contribution to the arts and the media. Maganthrie Pillay and Dingi Ntuli received the Art Media and Design Achievers Award.

In 2005 four "unsung heroes", Dr Deena Padayachee, Marimuthu Subramoney (also known as Subry Govender), Rafs Mayet and Mikhail Peppas, were presented with awards for their contributions to the arts and media by the Centre for Fine Art, Animation and Design (CFAD). The award is the brainchild of Nanda Soobben, cartoonist, animator and journalist. The aim is to recognise individuals who have given off their best to South African society.

Nanda Soobben, who initiated the award three years ago, and the founder of CFAD, said the "Too Little Too Late" Awards were given to individuals who, he said, had contributed unselfishly to the community without the recognition they deserved. "Most South African artists have highlighted the plight of the struggle for freedom, and through their work people were able to break the silence," commented Soobben.
"These men and women have an incredible talent. The contributions they have made to the South African media and art industry are priceless."

The Function to be held at the Playhouse, Durban on the 31st August 2007 includes an extraordinary fashion extravaganza and the CFAD Graduation Dinner. Limited tickets are available at R100 per person. Fo more info call CFAD at 031 3052480

Thursday, August 23, 2007

PSA Production Workshop

A TV Commercial workshop led by Ruendran Cooper of Scry Features was held at the CFAD Campus, Durban. The workshop spanned five days, in which third year students were divided into four teams. Each team functioned as an independent advertising agency commissioned to produce an advert with a theme of social conscience (Public Service Announcement). Teams were challenged to produce an advert of 30, 45 or 60 seconds in duration.


During the course of the workshop, the students kept a journal, marking observations of their personal and collective experiences. They were asked to pay attention to the dynamics involved in working with a group towards a collective goal. Agencies had to start from scratch, progressively working through the various phases involved in production of an advert, and had to meet a deadline at the end of five days.

Students were assessed not only on creativity and productivity, but also by their responses and observations based on their interaction in the workshop. The process brought out many interesting challenges, which the students had to solve using their problem-solving abilities.

The aim of the workshop was to instil confidence in participants – in both their personal abilities and in those of their fellow team members. The response was vibrant, enthusiastic and inspiring. We look forward to viewing the four TV commercials.
Watch this space for date and time of the screening.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Body Art & Graffiti Expo & Competition


The third annual Body Art & Graffiti Expo & Competition will take place at uShaka Marine World, Durban on Saturday 25 August 2007 from 10am to 3 pm in the Village Walk’s Arena 5 by Cape Town Fish Market. Students from various institutions will be afforded the opportunity to enter the competition and showcase their talents. They stand a chance to win a first place prize of R2500 in the Body Art section & R2500 in the Graffiti Art section of the competition.

This unique competition will showcase and unleash the raw talent of art students. It also provides them with a platform to compete against other tertiary institutions.

The competition is very challenging as students have just 4 hours within which to sketch, theme and paint their end product. Students will receive the necessary tools such as paint, stage blocks spray cans etc, to put everyone on an even playing field.

The artists will have to paint their theme onto a model for the body art section or use a special canvas in the case of the graffiti section. Students can choose from three themes relating to Marine Life, Legends of the Sea and African Treasures in both of the categories. Loads of prizes will be awarded for the best of all three themes in both the body art and graffiti categories. Overall winners will be selected regardless of the chosen theme.
Model: Deon

The closing date for entries is Wednesday 22 August. Should you be chosen as a finalist during this preliminary judging phase you will be contacted by Thursday 23 August and be invited to participate in the competition on Saturday 25 August. There will be loads of entertainment on the day and a Harley Davidson Motor bike display and drive through.

For more info contact: ANNAMARIÉ GELDENHUYS
E-mail: ammig@ushakamarineworld.co.za

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Painting for a cause

Over 50 artists gathered at The Pavilion Shopping Centre on August 11th, to compete in a one day art competition, as a part of a campaign that will change lives, and save others.

Pictured is Warren Raysdorf, a first year student at CFAD, who was placed second in the tertiary category.
Artists who are studying art or design at any of the tertiary institutions, who are taking art at their school, who make a living creating and exhibiting their work, or some who are just the type who love to express themselves through painting, all came forward in a united stand for beauty and expression and charity.

Saturday, August 11th, saw over 50 artists working throughout the mall to create a piece of art incorporating both branding and a sunflower. Their media and materials differed as much as their subject and style. Shoppers and visitors were able to watch as these pieces were created.

The competition was judged by two very well known figures in the art world, Jill Addleson, former curator of the Durban Art Gallery, and Bongani Mkhonza, Education Officer at the Durban Art Gallery. The prize giving took place on Sunday the 12th, at 11am in the Fountain Court. The winners in the three categories were Bradley Schwartz [Open], Xolile Mazibuko [Institution] and Brandon Jarret [school], with Bradley Schwartz taking the overall ‘Life in the Mall’ Grand Prix prize. R12 000 worth of Pavilion vouchers were shared amongst the ecstatic winners.

And the fantastic reason for this competition? Well, The event was part of a campaign to raise awareness and help raise funds to build the Bone Marrow Registry of South Africa to aid leukaemia sufferers in the country. The Sunflower Fund aims to educate and recruit well informed potential bone marrow stem cell donors that are ethnically diverse in an effort to save the lives of those needing a transplant when suffering from life-threatening blood disorders.
For more information on The Sunflower Fund or on how to become a bone marrow stem cell donor contact toll free 0800 12 10 82 or visit their website www.sunflowerfund.org.za

Article written by Leigh Vermaak