Whirlwind tour of Cape Town for the World Design Capital Judges
Cape Town has said farewell to the World Design Capital’s selection committee, represented by Dilki de Silva (Canada) and Martin Darbyshire (UK). The two were in the city from Sunday, 24 July till Wednesday, 27 July, for a whirlwind tour of what makes Cape Town a true contender for the role of World Design Capital 2014. Cape Town was the last stop on their itinerary of short-listed cities, after Bilbao and then Dublin.
World Design Capital organising committee members Dilki de Silva and Martin Darbyshire being shown around the 10×10 Low-Cost Housing project in Freedom Park, Mitchells Plain, by architect Luyanda Mpahlwa. Also in this image, from left, is Cape Town Partnership MD Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana, Alderman Felicity Purchase and Mike Purdham from Design Indaba
Yellow fever swept the local creative community (yellow is the colour of Cape Town’s World Design Capital bid) as more and more stakeholders saw that winning the title would bring a shot of creative energy and global design-focused attention onto the destination.
His Grace Desmond Tutu made a special appearance at a gala dinner held in honour of the World Design Capital selection committee’s visit on Tuesday night. He led a blessing for the assembled guests, which included Premier Helen Zille and Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille.
Our guests of honour take a moment for the camera at Tuesday night’s World Design Capital 2014 gala dinner. From left: Christopher Till, Mugendi M’Rithaa, Premier Helen Zille, Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana, ICSID Secretary General Dilki de Silva, Executive Mayor Patricia de Lille, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Andrew Boraine and Adrienne Viljoen
At a capacity Cape Town Design Network event (attended by De Silva and Darbyshire), which was held at the Fringe in Cape Town’s East City on Monday, 25 July, Design Indaba founder, Ravi Naidoo, announced a challenge to the Cape Town creative community in the form of a competition; Your Street. The initiative invites creative proposals for how an aspect of Cape Town street life can be enhanced through the power of design thinking. The best idea will receive R 50 000 in cash. If the person who brings in the idea also has the business plan and commitment to funding to achieve it, they will receive R 150 000.
Impromptu pledges then came in from the audience as architect (and previous Design Indaba 10×10 Housing Project competition winner), Luyanda Mphahlwa, promised a further R50 000 for the most innovative idea, and design leaders, XYZ, leapt up to add R 50 000 worth of design fees towards the creation of the product in reality. Entry into the competition closes on 31 August 2011. Details are at http://www.designindaba.com/yourstreetaware and competitive environment,
Naidoo pointed out that being able to live with an understanding of both the first world and the third world allows Capetonians, and South Africans, the advantage of viewing the world through a unique prism, and as such, allowing us to access two thirds of humanity as a market place.
The Cape Town Partnership has been responsible for managing the World Design Capital Bid to date. Managing Director, Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana, explained that design in this context goes beyond the creation of product and aesthetics; “In our application for the bid, we focused on design as a tool for transformation and re-integration. Examples include the IRT transport system, which will allow us all to experience less traffic, a project like the Violence Prevention Through Urban Upgrading in Khayelitsha, which has provided a safe, stimulating space for the community, and the Sustainability Institute in Lynedoch where environmental and social sustainability is being both academically rooted and practically applied.”
Green Cabs, the official transport for the World Design Capital organising committee, parked outside the 10×10 Low-Cost Housing project in Freedom Park, Mitchells Plain
Says Makalima-Ngewana; “We are exhausted but so happy and so very proud of everyone for presenting Cape Town as an inspiring contender for World Design Capital 2014. We are all holding thumbs for October when the winning city will be announced.”
All images by Bruce Sutherland, City of Cape Town
Wildfires Burn More Than Trees Campaign by Saatchi & Saatchi Cape Town
We love this clever campaign by Saatchi & Saatchi Cape Town to highlight the vulnerability of wildlife to fire. This striking advertising campaign was created for the Volunteer Wildfire Services to express the impending doom our wildlife faces when fire consumes the land.
The Volunteer Wildfire Services is a non-profit fire-fighting organisation, which receives no government funding, so they rely on corporate sponsors and responsible citizens to support them in their fight against the rampant seasonal fires of the Western Cape.
Jock of the Bushveld [3D] Movie Review: Monkey Jockeys of the Bushveld?
Jock of the Bushveld is a South African story by Sir James Percy Fitzpatrick. Written and published in 1907, it wasn’t long before the tales of Jock and his master became a bestseller and South African classic, now translated into Afrikaans, Dutch, French, Xhosa and Zulu. In 1986, Jock of the Bushveld was adapted to film starring Jonathan Rands as Percy Fitzpatrick with music by Johnny Clegg. The adaptation didn’t fare well with American audiences and was later re-released with a happier ending. Now just over a century since the novel was first published, Jock of the Bushveld has been adapted into a 3D animated feature.
The animated film, written and directed by Duncan McNeillie, boasts a talented voice cast including: Donald Sutherland, Helen Hunt, Ted Danson, Mandy Patinkin, William Baldwin, Michael Richards with Bryan Adams as Jock and a special cameo from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The ensemble is impressive for any film, bringing experience from all corners of Hollywood and giving the animation instant credibility.
Donald Sutherland narrates as an older Percy Fitzpatrick, allowing Jock to take centre stage as voiced by Bryan Adams, who also composed the main theme for the film. This rendition of the South African classic takes the story of a man and his dog and relegates the master to a supporting role, on screen as a supporting character and as an omniscient narrator. By splitting Fitzpatrick as character and storyteller, the film-makers have attempted to vacate the lead human character in favour of Jock.
While this decision echoes Fitzpatrick’s original intention for Jock’s adventures to make great bedside stories, it’s no White Fang. The substitution affects the story’s central dynamic between man and man’s best friend. Without this pivotal relationship, there’s no point of identification for the audience. The Percy Fitzpatrick character is a surrogate, Donald Sutherland’s interjections are welcome, but there’s no real connection between Fitzpatrick and Jock.
The film has also been cleaned up, much like the happier version, catering for an even younger demographic. Fitzpatrick doesn’t save Jock from drowning and it’s more a case of going through the motions as the young pup grows up… with some pretty strange additions. Instead, the film puts more focus on the animal kingdom in Jock of the Bushveld, giving apes, monkeys and wart hogs a life and voice of their own.
Jock’s experiences just don’t make sense without his master to relay the events. Duncan MacNeillie and Jim Cox are credited with writing the screenplay based on Sir James Percy Fitzpatrick’s classic, but it’s inconsistent with a soft brand of comedy. The flip side of Jock of the Bushveld is a very different world, one that seems to rely on a different set of rules, which aren’t clear and consistent.
While the story is set in an age when there wasn’t really such a thing as a South African accent, the choice to play Jock with an American accent is just as jarring as Kevin Costner’s accent in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The hotchpotch of foreign accents may give the film more international appeal, but loses a bit of its South African identity in the process.
The 3D animation is okay, but it’s not what film-goers have come to expect with Disney, Dreamworks and Pixar continually readjusting the standard. In fact, it actually feels half-baked. The design of Percy Fitzpatrick is indistinct and without enough attention to environmental detail (i.e. none of the characters leave footprints at all) it looks like a job half done. With such a sterling voice cast, you can’t help but feel they could’ve devoted more of the budget to the animation.
The animation is disappointing for its TV quality and even the movie trailer seemed a bit slapdash. Unfortunately, this taints the rest of the production, which looks great on paper – but doesn’t live up to expectations. Perhaps this is where the new Jock of the Bushveld went wrong. The idea has potential, but conceptual flaws and an attempt to broaden its audience have ultimately undone the whole project – making it fairly entertaining for the little ones – but too thin for older fans of the novel.
The 3D animated feature is a husk of the heartwarming, coming-of-age adventure story between a man and his faithful companion that made it famous. Instead one gets the impression that this film relies too heavily on marketing, armed with big names, spirited characters, a famous title and not enough passion. Jock of the Bushveld 3D is cute and will have more sway with children, but fails to capture the untamed spirit of Africa, making it a sluggish and tawdry affair for the less forgiving. Overall, an encouraging albeit flawed South African animation adventure.
The bottom line: Stunted.
Stephen ‘Spling’ Aspeling
www.spling.co.za
www.spling.mobi
Art in the Forest presents ‘In Flight’ – An exhibition inspired by the birds of the Cape Peninsula
Inspired by the beautiful birds of the Cape Peninsula, ‘In Flight’ is a multi-media art exhibition that shows selected works in ceramics, photography, bronze sculptures and paintings. Located at the gallery at ‘ART in the FOREST’, the exhibition is nestled within the enchanting Cecilia Forest and is open to the public from Monday to Saturday between 9:00hrs and 16:00hrs until 9 August 2011.
Produced by some of South Africa’s leading creative talent, the art on display includes fine art ceramics showcasing bird and fynbos themes by Thila Moyo as well as Ardmore Ceramic Art and carved ceramics by resident ARTIST in the FOREST Madoda Fani. Also included are Black and White photographs by Gregor Rohrig as well as colour photography by Caroline Gibello. Amongst the stunning compilation of bronze African bird sculptures by Peter Strydom are also an Oystercatcher and Peregrine in bronze by Keith Calder. Two delicate linocuts by Hardy Botha and Katherine Pitchulik add interest to the walls along with a mixed media painting evoking controversial discussion by Johan Joubert. With contemporary Bird Platters by Katherine Rosenberg and a Bird Feeder by Mathilda Fourie to complete the scene, In Flight truly has something to satisfy all tastes and is sure to bring a smile to the face of art lovers and bird lovers alike.
100% of profits raised through the sale of art and products will generate funding for homes for children affected by HIV/AIDS.
ART in the FOREST, Cecilia Forest, Off Constantia Nek (021) 794 0284
Swan Lake
English National Ballet principal ballerina, Daria Klimentova, along with her partner, Vadim Muntagirov, will be guest starring in the Cape Town City Ballet’s Swan Lake at the Artscape Opera House from 19-26 August, 2011.
Klimentova was born in the Czech Republic and trained at the Prague State Conservatory. After dancing with the National Theatre Ballet Company in Prague, Daria travelled to South Africa in 1992 to join the Cape Town City Ballet as a principal dancer. She became a favourite among Cape Town audiences and had a substantial following, before making her way to London to join the English National Ballet Company as a senior principal ballerina. Daria has maintained a close relationship with the Cape Town City Ballet over the years and is set to enthral Cape Town audiences once again, with her portrayal of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake.
Russian-born Vadim Muntagirov, the latest dance sensation in Europe, will partner Klimentova as Prince Siegfried. He completed his training at the Royal Ballet School in London, joined the English National Ballet in 2009, and with a bevy of competition wins and awards to his name, was promoted to first soloist in 2010.
Swan Lake is one of the greatest classical ballets ever choreographed. The mystery and romance of the story is embodied in the ethereal choreography and Tchaikovsky’s poignant score.
The Cape Town City Ballet’s production of Swan Lake will be accompanied by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. Megan Swart, Xola Putye, Laura Bosenberg and Thomas Thorne, along with guest artists Daria Klimentova and Vadim Muntagirov, will be dancing the lead roles.
Performances are in the Artscape Opera House from 19-26 August, 2011. Ticket prices range between R100-R250. Book at Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers outlets, www.computicket.com or Dial-A-Seat: 021-4217695 Booking opens on 1st June, 2011.
Let’s Celebrate
Cape Town goes ‘yellow’ to welcome the World Design Capital 2014 judges
The World Design Capital 2014 judges will be welcomed in Cape Town next week, from 24 to 26 July, on an official visit. They will be exploring the city as part of the final selection process, when Cape Town will be assessed alongside two other short-listed cities, Bilbao in Spain and Dublin in Ireland, for the 2014 title.
The judges will be keeping a low profile on their whirlwind tour of several sites and significant design-led projects. Says host and Cape Town Partnership MD Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana, “This is a big moment for Africa – being the first time that a city from the continent has made it through as a finalist for World Design Capital.
“We hope to inspire the judges with our innovation, passion and humanity. Cape Town has an important story to be told; the tale of a city that is using design to overcome our historic problems of disconnection, inequality and urban sprawl to create a more inclusive and liveable city for all citizens. Our bid theme is ‘Live Design. Transform Life’ and we will be demonstrating to the judges how Africa is leading the way when it comes to socially responsive design. ”
As part of a full city welcome, Cape Town will decked out in celebratory yellow – the official colour of the city’s World Design Capital campaign – starting with Table Mountain. Watch the mountain glow, for the first time ever in yellow light, from 18h00 on the night of Wednesday 20 July. The trunks of 100 trees in Heerengracht Street will be wrapped in World Design Capital colours, and a fleet of Green Cabs’ low carbon emission vehicles will be going temporarily yellow, as they ferry the judges around town.
Join Cape Town by flying your World Design Capital colours and go yellow wherever you are:
Visit www.capetown2014.co.za, download your World Design Capital button, and use it in the spirit of the city’s bid – on your email signature, your company website, your personal blog. Then join the Cape Town for World Design Capital 2014 group on Facebook and the Creative Cape Town Twitter feed.
Cape Town will know in October 2011 whether it has been named World Design Capital 2014, an accolade that brings with it international exposure, creative exchange and further development through design.
Elizabeth Galloway Graduate Fashion Event 2011
The Elizabeth Galloway Graduate Fashion Event will take place this year on 29th July in Stellenbosch at the Protea Hotel, Techno Park. This annual event showcases the design work of third year students from the academy and is an evening not to be missed!
For the show, each graduate was tasked with designing 3 garments to form part of a self-expression range. In designing the garments, graduates were free to express their own style and design aesthetic, giving the collection a completely unique and individual flavour.
Tickets are available at www.webtickets.co.za
For additional information contact Martin Ras at 021 880 0775 (ext.114).
Win Double Movie Tickets with Spl!ng and The Labia
One lucky reader will win double tickets to a movie at the Labia Cinema complex in Cape Town.
To enter, all you have to do is answer this simple question: Which South African province is the film Paradise Stop set in?
Email your name, contact details and answer to info@capetowncreatives.co.za:
Competition closes on 22 July , 10h00.
Terms and Conditions:
You (and partner) must be available to attend a film at the Labia in Cape Town between the 22 – 29 July 2011.
Tickets are not transferrable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
Valid for Labia Screenings only. Terms and Conditions apply.
Prizes courtesy of the Labia Theatre. See what’s showing: http://www.labia.co.za
Paradise Stop Movie Review: As with All Honeymoons…
Paradise Stop is a fun movie from the same team that brought us the hilarious South African comedy, White Wedding. This time, acting duo, Rapulana Seiphemo and Kenneth Nkosi, have banded with writer-director Jann Turner again to form the core unit behind Paradise Stop a crime comedy caper set against the backdrop of a truck stop in a sleepy little Limpopo town in South Africa.
Paradise Stop, a truck stop on the northern border linking cargo-carrying 16-wheelers from South Africa to Zimbabwe is the point at which troubled husband and relocated detective, Potso (Seiphemo) and “well-to-do” businessman and truck stop owner, Ben (Nkosi) collide. Potso locks onto a career-making series of high profile freeway heists only to realise that the man behind the crimes is his only friend.
The concept is similar to Heat, matching a cop up against a crook and letting the fur fly. The co-leads may not be on par with a De Niro and Pacino when it comes to drama, but this isn’t a Michael Mann crime epic. The scope has been down-scaled from big city America to small town South Africa, and the focus has shifted to comedy.
In many ways, similar to Hot Fuzz’s Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, Seiphemo and Nkosi are actually friends behind-the-scenes. This chemistry translated well in White Wedding and gives the actors an immediate history with Seiphemo the smooth, charming and straight-talking gentleman and Nkosi a more flamboyant, loud and funny man about town.
Both Seiphemo and Nkosi deliver good dramatic performances in Paradise Stop. They’re lost some of the comedy tag team chemistry from White Wedding, yet are still convincing as Potso and Ben. The co-leads try to channel their familiarity into a palpable tension, but they don’t share enough scenes to generate the spark. Overall, this diminishes the return on the enjoyment of Paradise Stop and stunts some of the comedy. Another performance worth mentioning is that of Vusi Kunene, who delivers the goods as the head honcho, General. His cool, calm and collected demeanor make him all the more intimidating – and his balanced performance carries great intensity.
Another flaw is that Paradise Stop takes too long to actually get going. It’s so busy setting the scene, introducing the characters and giving the audience an account of domestic life that by the time the stakes are raised, the movie’s almost over.
Punted as a hilarious, high-speed action-comedy doesn’t help matters. For starters, it’s not. The characters and teams may have the potential for a Guy Ritchie actioner with a comic twist, but the comedy is underplayed. In fact, Paradise Stop isn’t sure whether it’s going for action or comedy. The drama insists that the script is realistic enough for the audience to engage with the action, making it too serious for the comedy of a small town farce in the tone of Rat Race.
The cultural diversity and spill of languages is the perfect setting for misunderstanding, fish-out-of-water and comic scenarios. However, these cultural themes aren’t exploited enough. There’s a fear that they’ll lose their audience if they try to be too wacky, funny or slapstick. Yet it’s this very formula that works so well for long-running action-comedy franchises like Lethal Weapon and Rush Hour.
Perhaps there was too much focus on their marital situations instead of sticking to the cops-and-robbers story. Paradise Stop is desperately in need of a central plot device to link all the characters… a time constraint (e.g. a bomb) or a valuable item (briefcase filled with money) would have added to the pacing, tension and urgency of the action.
One constraint that does come into play is the budget, which allows for big truck rentals and a sponsored chopper. You can’t help but feel that the film-makers could have focused on doing the little things better instead of over-arching for the big scenes. It’s ambitious to hope that people won’t notice a product placement helicopter, which while boosting production value, detracts from the impact of the climax and suspense.
Overall, Paradise Stop is a reasonably entertaining film… despite being overly ambitious, slow-to-start and stunted by an indecisive script. The language interplay is intriguing, the acting is good, the story line has potential as a TV series and there are a couple of good laughs in the proverbial melting pot. It’s one of those films that will pass the time, but ends without making a full impression – a step in the right direction, but as with all honeymoons…
The bottom line: Half-baked.
Stephen ‘Spling’ Aspeling
www.spling.co.za
www.spling.mobi
