aesthetikselektor THE HARMONY ISSUE
MARCH 2022
March 2022
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Begins at Home
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Our cover story features kasi trendsetter and fashion enthusiast, Mduduzi Miya from Khutsong. He talks us through the influence on his retro aesthetic.
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Film Composition Vahid Davids details his influences from surrealist artist from the east, and how he approaches photography with the techniques of a cinematographer.
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Grown Ass Kid
Tattoo apprentice, Andrea GreenThompson tells us how she went from doodling during lectures to producing a colouring book and joining the Monarch Tatto Co team.
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Strange Pathways In the spirit of harmony, we asked Jay Callahan to share his symmetry work with us, and give us some insight of where the ideas come from.
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To Lay Myself Bare Writer and director of uMalkom noMeri: In The Night of Revelation returns to aesthetikselektor with a written piece. She asks “who am I in the days of the earth?”
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Area Code Mercilove Xerinda talks about “style as an extension of where you are from” in an article about thrinfting. We learn how Area Code came about.
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Orphic Force
Born in Johannesburg South Africa and raised in the Kingdom of Eswatini, Nosipho Dlamini talks about her work as the most courageous parts of herself.
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Under the sun
In our final sentiment of the harmony issue, we are visited by Kgosi Lebhuru, who offers a written piece - a poem, a prayer, a farewell.
ents The Harmony Issue
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H Harmony (noun)
1. the quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole. Synonyms: balance, symmetry, coordination compatibility, blending
2. the state of being in agreement or concord. Synonyms: union, oneness, accord, consensus solidarity, unity Origin: Greek “harmos” - joint
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editor’s note You ever mutter your safe word to the universe when life won’t let you breathe?
We’re not going to sugarcoat this - the turmoil persists. There is all this pressure to sound professional and use magazine jargon, but we are losing you (and ourselves) with all that noise. I mean, some things are too urgent to be delivered in metaphors. There’s a war going on! Inflation has many of us wishing we were still working from home, even with the easing of covid-19 restrictions. And I’m typing this note on the only device that has battery in this umpteenth hour of load shedding. So how dare we speak of harmony, right?? Balance eludes us in this turbulent journey of life, yet we continuously find our way back to equilibrium. Restoring the old, learning new tricks, and realigning with our purpose. There’s certainly no triumph in harmony without upheaval. We pick ourselves up until things fall into place - and this issue is that calm.
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Lento iqala
EDLADLENI Just ask uPops, he’ll say the same. Stru!
BEGINS AT HOMES
Though most artist see it a challenge to restrict themselves to a single category of art, Mduduzi Miya has found himself telling often, stories of the Township. Not just as an outlet for his own experiences, but also to inspire others through art and fashion. “At first my style confused many,” he says. “I’ve influenced half of the kids in Khutsong to be themselves and be proud of where they come from.” The retro aesthetic begins at home for Mduduzi. “Growing up, I used to pay attention to what my grandmother was wearing. From colours, stitches, and patterns.” Even an old local television classic, “Emzini Wezintsizwa”, has greatly influenced his style. It is no secret that fashion fads come and go. But vintage attire has stood the test of time, with enthusiast such as Mduduzi who keep it alive. With so many items no longer in production, he visits the *thrift markets each chance he gets. “Sometimes I get new ideas while thrifting, and I make sure to only buy clothes I know I will work with.” Amongst his routines when approching new work, Mduduzi prays his ideas come out as they are in his head.
Thrift markets are known by colloquial tongue as “eDunusa Shop” as clothes are laid on the floor and one has to bend over looking through the items. These are mostly used clothes, either donated by locals or imported from international donors.*
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Mduduzi Miya Photographed by Nceba Ncameni Styled by Ciezee Mbhowizy
“At first my style confused many. Now half of the kids in Khutsong are starting to follow my direction.”
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Harmony “It’s allowing someone to be themselves so that there will be peace. I make sure my work displays a part of my identity. In most cases I wear croptops because growing up, I used to get body shamed. “
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Vol. 4 Mduduzi Miya Photographed by Nceba Ncameni Styled by Ciezee Mbhowizy
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CREATIVE
“I get insiration from meaningless things then I maake them meaningful.”
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COMMUNITY As far as elements combining goes, if for the sake of harmony, a community of creatives minds goes a long way. Having attended the same high school and working together since 2019, Mduduzi and his photographer Nceba Ncameni, go as hard as a peanut butter and jam sandwhich. This relationship, like any other, was strengthened by communication. “I started telling him about my life problems only to find out we [were] going through the same thing.” A moment of vulnerability tends to create a bond among artists.
Mduduzi Miya Photographed by Nceba Ncameni Lets shoot with nceba
“I was coming from school, and he had a camera with him,” Mduduzi recalls. “That was my first shoot with a digital camera, and since then we’ve been making movies.” There is working together - collaboration as it is called. Then there is a relationship that goes beyond creativity and offers a much more sincere form of art. Mduduzi has found that with Nceba Ncameni.
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F
FILM WITH
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VAHID
DAVIDS
F “Documentation of the interpersonal relationships I have with the subjects - within a world created through a scene.”
“I’m obsessed with cinema. Most of my work is reminiscent of stills from cinema. I use techniques from cinematographers to compose the subjects, implementing a similar process of post production that is done with colour grading to footage on my still images.”
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Photography, much like many disciplines of art that have existed across centuries, is quite a saturated art form. Yet it is not absent of new pioneers, as anyone who dares pick up a camera offers a unique take of the world. Vahid Davids, from Bloemfontein South Africa is one such pioneer. “Most of my work is a documentation of the interpersonal relationships I have with my subjects within a world created through a scene. As a film enthusiast, Vahid approaches his work as if immortalizing a moment from a film. “Often during shoots there’s more direction of a feeling rather than an action or pose.” It’s almost like jumping into a scene and preserving all movement and emotion. “I’ve always felt that with any emotion, eye contact intensifies the feeling and demands more honesty.” Style evolves over time as an artist familiarises themselves with the various media. “I first started photography in high school, mainly for the school magazine - taking photographs of sports and cultural events held at the school,” Vahid recalls. “I moved into portrature during my time at Wits with friends that I was spending a lot of time with. Most of them were musicians and designers.” You might think it’s quite easy to go into a photoshoot without indepth conceptualization or planned poses, but it takes a great deal of intuition to master film composition. “I try to capture a still of something happening, like a frame from a film.” Vahid is influenced by photographers such as Yii Ooi and Cho Gi-soek through “a mind blowing balance of art direction and technical skill.”
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So over the years I’ve been having a battle between film and digital photography. I think, naturally, shooting on film gives this “cinematic vibe”. But shooting on digital, I feel I have more room to play around. “ Inspiration is funny because as artists we have to constantly be inspired to reclaim the flame that burns within us. Sometimes I can’t pin point exactly where the inspiration comes from but my flame still burns. Photographers such as Yii Ooi and Cho Gi-soek create these fantastical works through a mind blowing balance of art direction and technical skill. These surreal environments which they fabricate and document give me a sense of wonder and leave me gasping, “AYOOO! How THE F**K are they doing that?!” I seek to implement these projections into the context of Africa. The scenes are able to become more than just scenes more like world making.
ITION
Outside of the scope of photographs, my inspiration comes from observation. Most of the subjects in my photographs are people I see almost everday. And in these frames, they play characters close to their personalities. I’m constantly surrounded by other creative beings, so the transition from real life to a scene is almost automated. A Lot of the frames I’ve taken are from music videos/films that we are involved in so I find my subjects in their scene already.”
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A colouring book by
Andrea Green-Thompson “I realized how many people in my age group still use colouring books to abate anxiety. So I thought it would be a great way to help students in particular - to give them something to focus on.”
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W
hile it is true that a new skill can be achieved through persistant pratice, in the realm of creativity it serves to strengthen a purpose one already has within. Anyone can draw, but it is purpose that defines an artist. Even as life takes us through the highs and lows, the calling assimilates us into our purpose.
When I came across Andrea’s art I was immediately intrigued. For all the absence of colour in her work, there is great exploration and detail which gives a sense of completion. I thought, “here’s someone who is exactly where they need to be.” The journey to her colouring book, “I’m A Grown Ass Kid”, and her apprenticeship at Monarch Tattoo Co are filled with voices pushing her towards her purpose. “When I was a kid I never used to think of myself as [a] creative at all,” she recalls. “Then one day my sister got these books that taught you how to draw animals step by step. So I drew a rabbit. I remember thinking it was the most beautiful thing I had ever created. I didn’t draw anything seriously again for years.” You may call it a habit - Andrea found herself doodling during lectures, drawing pieces that caught the attention of many of the people around her. “One doodle turned into an entire page, and it was my rendition of “What I think vs what I say”,” she says. “Some people saw this piece and demanded I draw something for them as well. It was so much fun bringing people’s concepts to life.”
I’m A Grown Ass Kid “People would say things like ‘I would totally get that as a tattoo’ or ‘you should turn these into a colouring book’ and so, slowly, I started to believe that what I was creating had value.” Having been inspired by so many people from her youth and and the talented people at Monarch Tattoo Co, it’s no suprise that Andrea would find herself using her skills not only as self expression, but for the benefit of others as well. I like to think of her colouring book as art you can use. “The process was long!” Andrea exclaims. “I sat on the idea for roughly three years. Finally printing that book was my announcement to my inner critic that I’m an artist.” The book was made available to order back in October 2020. “It started with a comment from a friend. I realized how many people in my age group still use colouring books to abate anxiety. So I thought it would be a great way to help students in particular; to give them something to focus on.” 20
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The Tattoo Apprentice “I fought it for a while and it still scares me, but I eventually decided to do it.” Beyond the colouring book, Andrea’s passion has also pulled her to the realm of Tattoo art. It’s well known that tattoos require great precision from the artist, and while she’s had years of practice with a pen/pencil, she had to begin at Monarch Tattoo Co as an apprentice. “I designed a few of my own tattoos... and when I moved to Cape Town, I found a female owned tattoo studio where I got 3 of my tattoos done. This is significat because, before this, I’d never gone to the same artist twice. Amber, the founder of Monarch Tattoo Co, and I chatted quite a bit (as you do when you spend more than six hours together) and I eventually made a joke about me wanting to be a tattoo artist. Amber was like, “well, why don’t you?” Then she told me her story, and offered me a place at her studio. I fought it for a while and it still scares me, but I eventually decided to do it. Every piece I finish is a big F**ck You! to the imposter syndrome that keeps telling me I’m not good enough. It’s also a literal manifestation of thoughts in my brain. When I draw, I hardly ever see the final product in my head until it is on the page. So i’m getting to know myself through my artwork.”
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HARMON 24
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March 2022
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STRANGE PATHWAYS Surreal Symmetry by Jay Callahan
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With symmetry I provide order and cohesiveness to all my work. In contrast, with absurd subject matter and abstract elements, I convey a sense of chaos. My name is Jay Callahan and I am from Connecticut. Some of my favorite artists are Leonora Carrington, Salvador Dali, and Johfra Bosschart. Their surrealist works speak to me on a spiritual level especially the arcane aspects of Carrington and Bosschart’s pieces. Through my work I try to portray the constant battle between chaos and order that exists in our world.
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TO LAY MYSELF
BARE “WHO AM I IN THE DAYS OF THE EARTH?”
By Pamela Dyantyi
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Vol. 4
Accompanied by actions unknown to self Triggered by perceptions of existence which exist within me What have I succumbed to? What have I done? As a way to ease the mind I plant earth and commit myself to the grind Like a juxtaposition I am a dual being who exists within a single entity. Who am I in the days of earth? A shadow of those that came before me which blooms in the present Who am I in the nights of earth? A non-entity strong enough to blind you. March 2022
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THE Harmony
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ISSUE
BLUE AS DAY
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AREA CODE
Founded by Mercilove Xerinda, Bushang Maphele, Mihlali Xego, Siyabonga Sobopha, Teboho Mdiniswa, and Tumi Msutu
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t amuses me at times when I hear the word “thrift” as I am reminded of Macklemore, the greatest rapper of 2013 (according to the Grammy’s of course). The term itself was popularized in the year 2000. First seen as a lowly form of shopping, thrifting has boomed amongst the youth for various reasons. The most obvious being a search for rare items of clothing no longer in production. As exhibited by Mduduzi earlier, the retro aesthetic is timeless. We asked Mercilove Xerinda, a Co-founder of Area Code, to share with us his experiences with thrifting - from just being a fashion enthusiast to half-starting an online thrift store.
Thrifting, if done wisely, can be a great friend to the wallet. “I’m able to get to so much more stuff at a very low price,” Mercilove shares. Pre-loved items are sold at flea markets and some stores at discounted prices for the fact that they have been used, and perhaps do not cost the seller that much to acquire. A point to note is that thrifting is no different from shopping - the practice of getting clothes in exchange of money. Whilst parting ways with money can hurt, this very practice has been described as therapeutic by some. “It takes my mind off a lot of things [when] looking through those clothes, trying to piece outfits together... thinking if an item is worth taking.” Surprisingly, Mercilove has found somewhat of an adrenaline rush, thrifting in the city of Johannesburg. “I thrift in Joburg CBD, which can be a very dangerous sport due to the high rate of crime. When walking around Jozi, you always need to be on high alert. You never want to realize too late that you are being followed,” he exclaims! “Being on the lookout feeds my adrenaline and I feel like I’m on a rollercoster.” Fashion, I would say, has to be one of the oldest forms art. I often wonder how quickly clothes shifted from being a way of preserving modesty, to a form of identification between different tribes, all the way to luxurious displays in the boom of haute coutour. Perhaps voices like that of Macklemore are to be acknowledged for their influence on the perspective of clothes. I cannot say he is soley responsible for making thrifting cool - I mean they already gave him the Grammy! All that said, true pioneers of fashion are driven by a more intrapersonal force. “It’s the love of fashion and looking good,” Mercilove says. “Regardless of how I feel, if I look good then everything feels okay.”
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I thrift in Joburg CBD, which can be a very dangerous sport due to the high rate of crime. When walking around Jozi, you always need to be on high alert. You never want to realize too late that you are being followd.
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AR 3A CODE “The name was going to be the area code of a specific place, but then again only the people from that place would be able to relate to the brand. So we thought, why not just Area Code? Everyone has an area code of their own so it’s really inclusive. I always imagined style as an extension of where you are from. Area Code was started by the five of us, Bushang Mphahlele, Mihlali Xego, Siyabonga Sobopha, Teboho Mdiniswa, and Tumelo Msutu. We’re all thrifters in our own right, and people kept asking about the clothes we would wear. Each of us has a unique style but we share a keen eye for fashion. In a sense, we became a mobile thrift store for the benefit of the people not from Joburg (where most of our items are sourced). Of course and we’ve working on of original
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that is how we started, marketed our style whilst the design and production pieces by Area Code 31.”
Style as an extension of where you are from This is our position on “Harmony”... each of our styles coming together to carry out a fashionable purpose.
Mercilove Xerinda Tumelo Msutu Photographed by Chamaeleon Q For Area Code 31
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“My work is the essence of my being, the most courageous parts of myself. It is a snapshot of where I am, what I have experienced, and who I am inspired by. My work conveys the most vulnerable parts of myself and of the person veiwing it like a mirror reflecting the parts we try to hide. My work also speaks on issues faced as black women because that is my lived experience and I want to shed as much light on that through my art. The work I create is meant to promote self-love and beauty.
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My name is Nosipho Dlamini. I am a visual artist born in Johannesburg, South Africa and raised in the Kingdom of Eswatini. I identify myself as a multimedium artist.
An Orphic force
The most courageous parts of myself Art for me is a neccesity.
Vol. 4
It is not a claim that I dare make to say that the best artists did not study art. There simply isn’t enough time to compile the stats. What is true is that art itself is a form of expression, in which all are capable - though some do not answer the call. In her persuit of a Law degree, Nosipho has been moved to share her experience through various media, rivalling some of the most learnered of artists. “Art for me is a necessity because I express how I feel and how I view the world through visuals.” Inspiration holds the same effect to us all. A thought is triggered and we are moved. To put words on a page, paint a vivid picture, arrange harmonious chords, or chef the almalgamation of tantalizing flavours. Armed with a journal, Nosipho draws her inspiration from everything she sees. “When I’m out and I see something that inspires me, I note it down for future artworks,” she says. There is care and great precision in her work, and it is a result of planning and the rewards that come with having a routine. March 2022
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“Anyone who has spent time in nature can attest to the serenity that comes with being in that environment. I have visited beautiful places and drawn inspiration from the landscape. My muse is all of Nature.”
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Eulander Langa Photographed by Chamaeleon Q For vol.4
Industrial Emergencies 44
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under the sun By Kgosietsile Lebhuru
Walking under clouds twelve hours a day, how many do you come across in one day? The same sun that leaves me a shade darker every year is the same one that was worshipped years back. A lot goes on under the sun... Nations built and destroyed, destroyed and rebuilt. Old soil dying to pave way for new soil. New power found; new thoughts discorvered. I know there’s both peace and chaos under the sun.
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Peace and harmony could be at your childhood church where the unity of the choir shakes the four walls to leave all men, women and children touched by the spirit they worship. Sitting on your garden having a smoke break before going back inside to resume with work. Coming back home to fix yourself a plate of food before sinking into the TV. Those unplanned errands just to get a cup of tea or coffee. Walking on the hills to remind yourself that there’s more to this world than just what we see. It could be the pain you find in your passion, beacause you’d rather be here than anywhere else. It could be LOVE. It could be GOD. But just know in the past, present, and future... a lot goes on Under The Sun. May peace be with you
Rapulane
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Cooler Not To Care
To She The Slightly Involved
The Nonchalant As F**k
Just Be Cool
By Invite Only
Who You Know?
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Alright, so where do I begin with this? The truth... how I laid on my side at eleven fifteen pm thinking of “cool” things nobody will say? Sounds kind of lonely if you ask me. So perhaps I’ll paint a picture. Exclusivity through the principles of affirmative action. Imagine a space - a collective, that the social elite so desperately want to be a part of, yet cannot buy or bargain their way in. VIP for the socalled losers. A guestlist of real people. Because, when do we get a turn? to experience those luxuries. I wonder how differently we might treat such spaces as the losers. Would we bring more substance to human interaction? Or would we simply become the bullies that won’t let people through the door? What is clout? And how do some people just have it without doing anything for the greater good. Seemingly talentless, and perhaps overly confident to say the least. To have influence is to have power. And I think if we all had influence, then this power would be obselete. Making fun of popularity won’t solve the issue of inclusivity, I know. But I’d like to imagine that society is getting fed up now - with the deprivation of human dignity caused by popularity. But it’s “not that deep”. If anything, it’s just a shirt. And it’s really for everyone.
WHAT WE ARE DOING IS IMPORTANT
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C U L4 WHAT WE ARE DOING IS IMPORTANT TM
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4TER MARCH 2022
THE HARMONY ISSUE
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