Disparate issue 1

DISPARATE Issue #1 // 2012

EMERGING DURBAN CREATIVES

DOMINIQUE WILSON // PAUL REICHLE PRUNELLE AMAN // JONO HORNBY // RYLAND STOKES

DEMERGING I S PDURBAN A R CREATIVES ATE Issue no.1 // 2012

Editor-in-Chief Li Joshua Photography Paul Reichle Li Joshua Layout Li Joshua Layout Supervisor Arushka Saligram Digital Production Sean Lynch The following publication has been produced by Li Joshua, in completion of a B-Tech Degree qualification from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) * All advertising space is completely hypothetical and in no way used for financial gain.

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12 DOMINIQUE WILSON The Colour of Time A picture a day results in one of the most personal set of posters for 2012

JONO HORNBY The 1-Minute Movie that took this local G Design Stud nt jettin

e Graphic ng off to Germany

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RYLAND STOKES The workings of the SQuare accessories line. Trendy top quality products all made by hand.

KERRY RICHARDS Fashion by DUT’s very own goes sophisticated and minimalist.

We discuss her high end line of 2011.

100 NADINE JEFFERY Art does social good with orphans at the Live Village, KZN

Damn you Durban! It’s due to your sheer awesomeness that the space I have to write these words seems far too little. It is this one-of-a-kind city that is the true pulse of this publication. Each and every artist that has graced the pages to follow all hail from the 031, showcasing their truly unique works and having their surroundings to thank for the constant inspiration that they are served with everyday.

Let me take this opportunity to give a big thanks to the many heads, hands and hearts that have contributed an invaluable amount of effort in order to have this online magazine produced.

To the unique artistes featured in this issue...This is not mine, but OUR magazine. DISPARATE would not exist without you. Thanks to all models and our cover girl Kim for pulling off a sexy face, as well as photographers and stylists involved. Sean Lynch you genius! Thank you for catapulting DISPARATE into the digital age, without your assistance this would be so one-dimensional. The self-formulating team, especially Paul Riechle for his coolness, Thanks bru! So I guess I should stop there before it starts sounding like a debut artist winning an award at the Grammys. I urge you to visit our website disparate.co.za and drop us any questions or feedback.

With the past few weeks, in the promotional phase of DISPARATE MAGAZINE, I’ve had numerous enquires about the meaning of the title and why I chose it. Well here it is: dis pa rate |’disp rit; di’sparit| adjective

essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison. noun

things so unlike that there is no basis for comparison.

A pretty fitting name if you ask me.

Enjoy!

Li Joshua DISPARATE Editor-in-Cheif

disparate // contributors

If you haven’t heard of Paul Reichle by now, then shame on you! Our very own Durban boy’s photography style is diverse beyond measure and we at DISPARATE are chuffed to have him as part of the family.

It only seemed fitting that Prunelle Aman could chip in and give us her insight with our music reviews.

Between jetting off to Europe and his jam packed local schedule, Paul has collabed with our editor-in-chief to bring you our amazing fashion spreads for our current issue.

She’s the face responsible for producing a set of illustrations titled “A Visual Playlist” on page 68 of this issue. So big ups to Pru! A valued opinion if ever there was one.

I mean come on; she’s so in tune - in all sense of the words (she plays guitar and sings to!).

For those who haven’t had the opportunity to sit down in conversation with Delon Qaid Leonard, let’s jus say its a bittersweet event.

Completely oblivious to the notion of human sleep (due to his constant racing thoughts which range from fashion to politics, he is a law student after all) we felt whom better to take on the task of dissecting film for our movie reviews. Shot D!

CONTRIBUTO

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http://www.facebook.com/anotherphotographypage http://KE-EG-AN.deviantart.com/ http://www.onesmallseed.net/profile/KeeganMuir

ORS

disparate // contributors

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BEATS BY DR DRE Beats’ original product line were Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. Dr. Dre outlined in promotional materials that with most headphones, listeners are not able to hear “all” of the music, and that Beats would allow people “to hear what the artists hear, and listen to the music the way they should: the way I do.”

Priced from R2999

NEW LAMP New Lamp is a table lamp based off of SANAA’s New Museum.

As the New York Times puts it, “Functional architecture for our night table.”

R1200 *by order only

ANTI-THEFT LUNCH BAG Anti-Theft Lunch Bags are zipper bags that have green splotches printed on both sides, making your freshly prepared lunch look spoiled.

Don’t let a sticky-fingered coworker or schoolyard bully get away with lunch theft again.

R62.00

SQUARE. Local Designer and Craftsman Rylan Stokes values quality over quantity.

His current line of men and woman’s accessories are all produced by hand and constructed with the finest quality genuine leather. We’re big fans of his extremely diverse range “SQuare ”.

Ladies Leather Belts R100

THE COLOUR OF TIME Creative by her own definition, photographer and artist Dominique Wilson gives the system a middle finger by doing things her way.

Never one to follow the rules, we at DISPARATE thought it would only be fair to have the opening interview of this issue focused on an artist who often breaks the mould in her evident artistic style. I was fortunate to meet miss Dominique Wilson while studying photography at DUT (Durban University of Technology). Since then Dom has decided to ditch the degree, allowed nature to take its course and has exercised her creativity.

Evolving creatively, Dominique is back behind the lens with her current project “ The Colours of 2012�

disparate // artist

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disparate // artist

DISPARATE: You know, I was just looking

through some old pics of stuff we shot when we got to university and I was like whoooooooooa! And not in a good way (laughs).

DOMINIQUE: No worries I look back at a

lot of old work, seeing that I haven’t thrown away or deleted anything, but majority of the time I’m like what the fuck was I thinking.

DISPARATE: Well at least we’ve grown.

DOMINIQUE: Totally. We needed those

mistakes in order to be the awesome individuals we are now.

DISPARATE: Why the hell did you leave

university in the first place?

DOMINIQUE: Well I moved in with my best

friend and let me tell you, the influence of independence is a bitch. And I had a lot of personal crap going on, was just a culmination of stuff really.

DISPARATE: Shit happens hey.

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DOMINIQUE: Yeah, I regret not finishing. Not for the degree or

whatever, but for the fact that I left something halfway. Which is something I don’t do!

DISPARATE: A lot of creative people might say it’s just a piece of

paper.

DOMINIQUE: It’s funny because I feel I did better after dropping

out. I had no creative interference so I honed in on my personal style better.

DISPARATE: So tell me about this current project, if anything I think

it’s a clear testimonial to your style as an artist. It gives me the sense that I’m viewing extracts of memories.

DOMINIQUE: That’s exactly what I wanted to portray! I wanted

to capture life, just moments in time. So stoked that you got that message from it, yay!

DISPARATE: So how did the whole idea come about?

DOMINIQUE: I was looking at something online that had a picture

cropped in a circle and was like oooh that’s pretty I should try that. I shoot randomly, so when looking through my choice of pics to apply this cropping technique to, I was like wait. These were all shot in January. I’m gonna call this the colours of January. One thing led to another and boom! It became the colours of 2012.

DISPARATE: This is carrying through till the end of the year right?

DOMINIQUE: Yep. Although I didn’t shoot July. That was a messed

up month for me (laughs).

disparate // artist

DISPARATE: We should make it a set of posters.

DOMINIQUE: Lets do that! Seriously. Wait, then what about July?

DISPARATE: Well you have a plain black circle for July to represent

your creative block. (laughs) DOMINIQUE: Brilliant! I’m excited. Isn’t creative freedom just

awesome.

DISPARATE: Better than sliced cheese....so Dom...what’s next for you?

DOMINIQUE: I don’t know. Whatever pops into my head I guess,

there’s no guaranteed structure, which is the exciting part for me.

View Dominique’s photography works at flickr.com/photos/d_s_g88

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THAT BASS

IN YOUR FACE Eric “E-Mac” Steenkamp is on a frequency to be heard. This self-taught beat maker and producer has recently been part of the formation of up and coming Durban music group “Freeway Society”. The group’s mash-up sound, which is a bubbling cauldron of Hip-Hop, Rap, RnB and Krunk, is largely formulated under the guidance and experimentation of this beat junkies ever evolving taste in sound. DISPARATE recently caught up with the diverse beat maker (which was an extremely heavy task, seeing that he does have a day job and carries the description of mechanical turner.) to pick his brain and find out what exactly gets his head bobbing.

DISPARATE: So E-Mac when did you first start making beats?

E-MAC: Oh Shit! From like high school days I think. I was in the tenth grade, how many years ago was that? (laughs) I only remember this cause a friend and I shared a computer. I’d probably hide my face if I heard now what we made back then. (laughs) DISPARATE: Rumour has it your self-taught...

E-MAC: True story! I started watching a few friends and my cousin DJ and experiment with sound production programmes, so I picked up a few things that way.

Got myself a PC, then the production programmes and ya!

From there it never stopped.

disparate // profile

disparate // profile

DISPARATE: That’s pretty cool. So its safe to say this started out as a hobby, yes? And now here you are breaking beats in the club (laughs). Is there any specific genre you listen to?

E-MAC: Yeah, many call it confused but I try and listen to eeeevrything! No matter what genre it is. The only reason for that is it gives me a better understanding of different sound components and what works good together, in that way it really helps me when I sit down to create something new and fresh. Make sense?

Don’t get me wrong! I love hip-hop and house music, that’s the shit right there!

E-MAC: Well at the moment I’m currently working with my crew Freeway Society, putting together our EP that’s due to drop soon, so I have my plate full seeing that I will be producing the entire thing!

DISPARATE: Awesome stuff! We have our headphones ready...Just saying.

Follow E-Mac and Hip-hop crew Freeway Society on twitter: @E_mac6 @FreewaySociety

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DISPARATE: I get it, guess you just get more dynamic by doing that, and creating something that no one would have expected. With that being said...what’s next in the pipeline?

disparate // profile

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E T U N MI S S E N D A M Graphic Design student Jono Hornby recently jetted off to Germany with a 1-minute movie produced with the theme of amnesty. Upon his return to S.A, DISPARATE sits down with the conceptual designer to hear the stories of his travels.

DISPARATE: You’re completing your third year yes? What is the one-minute movie project about?

JONO: It’s basically the first project given to you in third year graphic design known as the deep-end project. This year the theme was amnesty and focused on how design can create change.

DISPARATE: Sounds like a heavy topic to work with, was there tons of research involved?

JONO: Not really hey, our group was assigned with the theme of murals in communities. I kinda landed with my bum in the bucket. Street art is kinda my thing and

I’ve been fortunate to have been interacting with street artists for a while. So I was lucky to be familiar with the whole movement of art in public spaces.

DISPARATE: Sweet, so different groups were given different themes?

JONO: Yeah all around the amnesty theme, so every group was addressing different social issues.

DISPARATE: Tell us a bit about the visual aspects of the movie you created.

JONO: The Visuals we used were relatively simple. It showed a child releasing doves, which transformed into pages forming a book on a shelf. The concept of self-education was also really effective in the area where we produced the piece.

DISPARATE: I’m sure the emotive quality of the concept contributed to the success.

JONO: Yeah, I mean, it doesn’t just have to look good. It should be aesthetically pleasing as well.

JONO: Six in total. After I came up with the concept it was matters of bouncing ideas off each other in order to refine the idea, so I cant take complete credit. I shot the film in stop frame animation, which was really tedious but totally rewarding in the end.

DISPARATE: So tell us about Germany...

JONO: It was a crazy sequence of events. We posted the movie on YouTube, which went viral with the help of my sister who lives in Germany. She informed me of a competition which was held there, with the theme being “how is the city yours”, we felt our concept met the criteria, so we submitted the video and next thing I know we were shortlisted and confirmed. Even though the competition was Europe based they informed us that they would make the exception and fly us to Germany to be part of it.

DISPARATE: That’s insane. What a confidence booster so early in your design year.

JONO: You have no idea!

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DISPARATE: How many designers worked on the project?

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PLUS

OR MINUS FASHION GOES SOPHISTICATED MINIMALISM FOR THE FUTURE PHOTOGRAPHY: Paul Reichle / Li Joshua LAYOUT/EDITING: Li Joshua STYLIST: Kerry Richards

disparate // fashion

I’m sitting in the car waiting on our feature fashion designer miss Kerry Richards. My minds racing as I think of the outcome of this very interview, its not nerves that have caused this sudden hysteria, its the fact that as brilliant as Ms. Richards is at what she does, she hates talking about her work. “ I rather show you than tell you” was the last response I got out of her just before her line hit the runway in October 2011.

Isn’t that the point of this interview in the first place? To talk about her work?

Yes. I’m sure you can now sympathise with my position in the situation. She’s finally ready to leave.

We chat about random stuff on the way to the mutually decided meeting place, the choice factor of which was the coffee they serve.

She signals me to look down at her new metallic silver shoes, the refection of which shimmer in her wide eyes as she awaits my response. “Those are so you” I tell her. She’s Chuffed.

“Thursdays are my favourite days actually” she says.

Well looks like this might not be too difficult after all...

KERRY: Does this interview have to be like ten pages long?

DISPARATE: No ways, there aren’t any length requirements fortunately.

KERRY: Aaah cool, you know how I’m not the biggest fan of interviews.

DISPARATE: You’ll be fine...No worries.

KERRY: You say that now (laughs) DISPARATE: So just to give some formal background, under discussion is your graduate line from Durban University of Technology’s Fashion Institute for 2011.

Which, might I add, was an amazing show to witness. Did you always know you wanted to do fashion?

KERRY: Well it was either Fashion Design or Fashion Journalism DISPARATE: I remember you doing some fashion writing for “Saltwater Girl” magazine right?

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KERRY: Yep, that was the same year I was trying to figure out exactly what I wanted, and what better way than to actually dive head first and see what it’s about. I took a gap year around that time and travelled to New York, where I enrolled at F.I.T, NYC (Fashion Institute of Technology) and did a course on fashion styling and styling for photography.

DISPARATE: That must have been amazing, being in such a creative, fashion forward environment, or so I’ve heard (laughs).

KERRY: It totally was! Just the talent and resources that surround you as well as the open-minded creatives make working in fashion so much more exciting.

DISPARATE: F.I.T must have helped you a great deal creatively.

KERRY: I really enjoyed the way they structured everything and how it allowed its students to have a unique dialogue about fashion. Being hands on was also a lot of fun, working on set with all these amazing designers and lines of clothing and beautiful models (sigh) I really wanna go back to New York soon.

DISPARATE: Aaaaah DUT / F.I.T all these awesome places and acronyms.

KERRY: Let me just add that F.I.T was a breeze in comparison to DUT (both laugh) DISPARATE: So 10 points for DUT then?

KERRY: 100 points! They seriously treat every individual aspect to what makes good fashion with equal importance that has definitely made my life easier now that I’m in an industry environment.

disparate // fashion

FUTURISTIC, MINIMAL ELEMENTS CREATE MAXIMUM IMPRESSION. ORGANIZED LINES, SHARP BLACKS, HARD GOLDS AND CRISP WHITES CREATE THE NEW SILHOUETTE FOR FALL.

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DISPARATE: Your 2011 line, tell us about that.

KERRY: The title of my line was “Into the Great Wide Yonder” which was formed around the idea of me as a designer, getting ready for my journey into the big wide world.

DISPARATE: So you putting your “big girl pants” on.

KERRY: Yeah! I guess you could say that. Like a type of self-preparation almost.

DISPARATE: Makes sense now that you say that. I remember at the end of your show you walking out to give your bow, and I looked up at the models on either side of you, they seriously looked like a division of some type of futuristic army.

KERRY: I was preparing for battle. (laughs) DISPARATE: Do you have any traits that you stick to as a designer when you sit down to create a piece? Do you kind of just do whatever you feel like at that specific time?

KERRY: I think all designers develop characteristics that they stick to over time. I’m a big fan of liner cuts, straight edges, structured lines that type of thing. Oh and my favourite colour is shiny!

DISPARATE: All clearly evident in the line. Especially the shiny part.

KERRY: I’m like a magpie. Seriously.

DISPARATE: I know it must be a shit load of work putting such a line together. What was the whole process like?

KERRY: Well it really challenged me technically. I made some unique fabric choices as well as certain pieces incorporating laser cutting, so much so that it almost verged on craft. I started feeling the pressure then as it takes some time to get use to handling such materials and seeing how they react when applied to certain cuts and designs, also using new techniques that I wasn’t to familiar with. So all that was quite an experience, but totally worth it in the end.

disparate // fashion

DISPARATE: I heard there’s a dress in the line made out of upholstery fabric?

KERRY: Aaaaah that fabric was far too amazing to leave behind! But geez what a mission to work with.

DISPARATE: Was it shiny?

KERRY: I’m surprised you’d expect anything less!

DISPARATE: You think your taste has changed since you started working in industry as a junior buyer?

I mean your surrounded by retail pieces which are at the opposite end of what you would personally create.

KERRY: The exposure to retail has definitely made some sort of impact on me, buts its also sparked a lot of inspiration. I’m constantly tweaking things in my head.

Having all those different opinions around you in industry also helps. It really is a constant learning experience.

DISPARATE: So does that mean we might see a new line soon?

KERRY: (laughs) You do know I haven’t touched a sewing machine since October 2011.

DISPARATE: Lets just say if you could start tomorrow on a new line, any ideas?

KERRY: Well I would definitely wanna do it at my own pace, cause I don’t consider myself just a clothing person, I’m a fashion person. I wanna incorporate the right accessories, shoes, bags all that stuff in order to make the look more cohesive. I would try something a bit more commercial the next time round, commercial with a bit of my usual edge. Like trendy street wear.

Yes! Shiny, trendy, street wear. Thats it!.

DISPARATE: God help us.

KERRY: Get your shades ready I say!

WORDS BY Aaron Jimenez

disparate // trend

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disparate // trend

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disparate // trend

The barriers have been broken and the walls torn down; men and women of all kinds are taking hints and cues from each other and the thin line between masculine and feminine is evaporating. The term Androgyny referrers to the in-between stages of a person who does not fit cleanly into the typical masculine or feminine gender roles of their society. In fashion, androgyny breaks molds and creates hype.

The mixing of gender clothing and roles has always been around; from Joan of Arc in the 15th century dressing as a man to gain access to Charles VII, to recent times with actresses such as Cate Blanchett portraying the role of male singer Bob Dylan in her believable role in I’m Not There. One can argue that the blending of gender barriers hit this century due to the financial crisis we suffered earlier this decade: money was sparse, thus forcing women to shuffle through their boyfriend’s closets in hope of an outfit for the day. The truth is, women throughout history have been playing the role of men - in movies, in art, and in everyday life.

Recently, though, it’s the males who are causing the buzz on androgynous dressing.

More and more designers are losing themselves over this great new craze of using a man as the “female muse” in their fashion shows around the world. The male models are portrayed just as any regular female model would: gowns, makeup, heels and all.

The line that once distinguished males and females is slowly vanishing, provoking the people of this century to be more open-minded and to accept all of mankind; be it a woman or a man.

Models like Andrej Pejic - the poster boy for this huge movement, are inspiring men and women around the world, proving that true beauty doesn’t exist in the clean, straight forward roles of males and females portrayed by society today. Feminine beauty, for example, is now something that can be taken and translated into a worldrenowned male model’s face; just ask Andrej.

Could the hysteria over the male look for females and vise-versa for men, become the new ‘It’ thing in fashion? Time will tell, but who knows, maybe the Androgyny Look will become the ‘New Look’ of this generation.

ARTIST PROFILE >>> PAUL REICHLE

disparate // profile

To say Mr. Paul Reichle is a one-trickpony would be a filthy lie. Whatever needs shooting, whether it be fashion, documentary and much more, Paul is the man with a plan. Being part of the DISPARATE family, we felt it only fitting to show the world his amazing work that has held us captive for so long. “ I can’t say I have a specific preference when it comes to what I shoot. Its extremely difficult to be a specialist photographer in Durban. I’ve made it my aim to be well rounded in all genres of photography.

If I had to choose, I’d say portraits are my favorite. It’s meeting all these different people from many walks of life that inspire me. I just try my best to immortalize the diverse character that I come across at the time. Not to mention the awesome friendships I form along the way.”

disparate // profile

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disparate // profile

Pauls work is also available for viewing at paulreicle.co.za

I try my best never to fall asleep in the car, that’s because I have a mobile frame in front of me. There’s just way too much not to be inspired by. Berea by Li Joshua.

“Well I’m an artist, for some reason saying that still makes me feel uncomfortable.

The feeling is there, its technicality that I try to improve everyday.”

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SEEING SOUNDS A pencil. A few blank sheets of paper. An i-pod and the talent of illustrator Prunelle Aman has resulted in a completely unique set of illustrations all inspired by the emotions in music.

DISPARATE recently visited Pru to find out just how she is able to see sound.

DISPARATE: So finally we get an opportunity to pull this project apart (laughs) are you excited?

PRU: Totally! I hope I don’t waffle on though.

DISPARATE: Nah, I like wafflers.

PRU: Ok, then I’m good.

DISPARATE: So...what sparked the idea? Cause I remember speaking to you around November 2010, when this idea was but an embryo.

PRU: Seems like ages ago, well I always knew I was gonna do some sort of book, can you remember I was writing a novel? It was that or a series of illustrative works.

DISPARATE: Yes! Now I remember, I also recall a paper you wrote that year on illustrative album art.

PRU: That’s right. Well I always make up stories in my mind, whatever it might be, a memory or if I go “somewhere different” for a while. I wanted to explore the attached imagery and how to view it in terms of illustration. How could I illustrate what I was seeing when I was listening to music? So it was music in the end that inspired me.

DISPARATE: You know if I had to title this article, I would say “sight VS sound”. I mean your project has basically taken the viewer into your private little world. Do you think , to a certain extent, you wanted people to vacation in your world for a moment or two.

PRU: That was something I had to think about when doing my research. Ummmm I had to look at other people and how they interpret what I listen to. Can you remember I made you draw while listening to Jacob Isreal’s “March of the Bridegroom”?.

DISPARATE: Yeah, that was a freakin dog show hey.

PRU: (laughs) I did that with a group of people. Each drawing was compleeeeeetly different to each others and to mine. So I decided to make it a little more personal, this is a piece of my other wise private world

disparate // illustration

DISPARATE: At your exhibition last year I realised I knew one of the tracks that you illustrated, and upon looking at it I was like Whoa! Did not have that picture in my head.

PRU: Yeah, I mean music is so subjective, its open to a million comparisons, but I think the interesting part is when people start comparing their individual opinions to what they viewing in front of them.

DISPARATE: I always see illustration as such a personal medium, full of feeling. I’m not saying other mediums aren’t, but do you get what I’m saying yeah?

PRU: I do agree with that opinion yes.

DISPARATE: Do you think your styles evolved overtime?

PRU: Yeah you could say that, I’m still honing on my style, its just a bit more polished in comparison to last year for example. That’s what time in your craft does I guess.

PRU: Ummm...Maybe! Depends on the message I wanted to put across, I always work with feeling more than it being technically correct.

DISPARATE: Your such a rebel.

PRU: Yeah, I even swear now and again.

DISPARATE: Selecting the actual songs for the project, how long did that take?

PRU: It took forever! Cause I had a list of emotions I wanted to link with each track and that took some time to work out.

DISPARATE: So was there a way you systematically worked it out? Like emotion-song-ilustration, or did it have a natural progression.

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DISPARATE: But wouldn’t it come across as more “feeling” if your style had a rougher quality to it? I’m not saying be technically incorrect, don’t get me wrong.

disparate // illustration

PRU: Well it kinda presented itself to me in different ways. I recall for the emotion of “guilt” I knew instantly that Massive Attacks “Flat of the Blade” would suit it perfectly. Then there was the emotion of “love” that had lists and lists of songs to choose from, so just me finding the strongest image when I listened to the songs and seeing which image suited it best.

DISPARATE: If you go back now and listened to those songs, has the image kinda changed for you visually?

PRU: Hmmmm. Maybe. Cause if I think about what I was listening to in 2006 for exampleDISPARATE: Please don’t tell me it was Linkin Park. *Sigh PRU: No man! I left them behind in like 2003, but my point being some of the stuff I listened to then still holds similar relevance now than it did before. Not identical, but similar. I’d say 2008 was really when I came into my space musically, that was the year Radioheads “In Rainbows” came out. What that album held for me then and what it holds for me now are light years apart.

DISPARATE: I guess the only thing to blame for that is life experience.

PRU: Definitely!

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disparate // craft

CREATING

QUALITY He single handedly has created his unique and superbly crafted accessories line called SQuare.

Completely self-taught and proudly local, we caught up with designer Ryland Stokes to find out the finer details about the SQuare accessories line.

disparate // craft

DISPARATE: So Ryland, tell us, what is SQuare all about.

RYLAND: SQuare specialises in creating high-quality fashion leather

goods and accessories bringing to the fact that only the finest leather and materials are selected for superior finishes and style.

DISPARATE: Gimme a sales pitch dude...

RYLAND: The SQuare range embodies stylish sophistication, high-end,

casual, trendy pieces at affordable prices. How’s that?

DISPARATE: Just about emptied my wallet (laughs). So you’re self-taught.

It’s really something to see the standard and finish that you were able to produce your pieces.

RYLAND: Yes I’m self-taught and all the products are hand made by

DISPARATE: Working with genuine leather is said to be quite a mission.

How have you found the experience?

RYLAND: Well with the typical imperfections of leather as a natural

product, the associated characteristic of the material doesn’t distract one from the craftsmanship and comfort of SQuare products. I’ve gotten better working with it over time.

DISPARATE: When did the label actually come to be?

RYLAND: The record bags were actually made as merchandise for my

DJ career back about five years ago, and believe me they weren’t at the standard they are now, but with all things you get better with time. That was really the starting point as all the other SQuare items followed after the formation of the record bags.

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myself and the help of other hands. It took a few years to get the SQuare idea and the product standard where it is today, thanks to learning from my mistakes and taking a risk here and there.

disparate // craft

DISPARATE: What inspired you to start in the first place?

RYLAND: I honestly don’t know what sparked the idea. I never planned or dreamed that

this was what I wanted to do...I just started, I enjoy it...and that’s just the way it is.

DISPARATE: Well that seems justifiable. Where to from here?

RYLAND: As far creative juices can take me.

Keen to own items from the SQuare range. Contact Ryland Stokes via djstoqes@gmail.com for the complete product list and pricing. Both male and female items available.

ARTIST PROFILE >>> KEEGAN MUIR I shoot film (when I can afford to) on a bunch of old cameras, mostly my Yashicaflex-C, Canon AE-1, an Olympus trip35, and Olympus PEN. I dabble in digital imagery really. I don’t have any preferences, that is to say I can’t afford to. A lot of my equipment has been given to me by old professionals, seasoned amateurs, and a scotsman named Ralph.

I love shooting people. Mostly pseudo-documentary/human portraits.

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SAVE THE

FUTURE DISPARATE Love Trees.

Trees are Awesome.

Lets save them.

Be part of the DISPARATE online movement.

Go to disparate.co.za

DEMERGING I S PDURBAN A R CREATIVES ATE

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ART WITH HEART

For those who personally know Nadine Jeffery, it comes as no surprise when she informs you that graphic design is not her true passion, regardless, she’s achieved a National Diploma in the practice and found a way to combine it with her true calling in life...Social work.

DISPARATE: Nades? You ready?

NADINE: Li, I hate being so formal (laughs) DISPARATE: Well this is your chance to explain everything. So start from the beginning.

NADINE: Well I never really enjoyed graphic design and realised at the end of my

second year of study that it wasn’t my true calling, but it seemed silly just to throw in the towel one year shy of my diploma so I stuck it out.

DISPARATE: And yet you still registered for a B-Tech in graphic design?

NADINE: Yes. (laughs) Well after talking to my third year lecturers, I was able to link

my dream of being a social worker with the field I was studying at the time.

DISPARATE: So what was the next move?

NADINE: I spoke to professor Kate Wells who is involved in the Siyazama project,

which is focused around issues of health and social work. A venture arose in Mphilohle called “The Hero Project” where we would help kids of an underprivileged school paint murals on new-formed ablution blocks for their school.

disparate // craft

DISPARATE: How did that go?

NADINE: Well it was an experience of note, but unfortunately the project wasn’t

completed due to funding.

DISPARATE: You must have been heart-broken.

NADINE: Not entirely, yes I was upset in the beginning but it was a culmination of factors

for me that made the project unsuccessful, the distance as Mphilohle was such a mission to travel back and forth, the communication factor with those involved in the project, and of course the funding. So by that point we were like thanks for playing, game over.

DISPARATE: So what are you currently busy with at this point in time?

NADINE: I’ve just completed working at the “Live Village” an orphanage situated in the

Kloof area which houses orphans affected by HIV and AIDS. We worked on actual art classes with the kids and used their drawings and art pieces to compile a story book for children.

DISPARATE: That’s pretty amazing, so was your aim for doing so?

NADINE: I wanted to use art as a catharsis for these kids.The world of fantasy they

have created through art pieces, is really a form of escape for them from their real life situations.

DISPARATE: The kids must be so stoked to see their actual work in an actual publication.

NADINE: You have no idea! Just the seeing the looks on their faces is the best feeling

ever. Having this be an esteem booster for the kids at the Live Village was also one of the primary visions I had for the book, so to see it in effect is awesome. I also plan on leaving the actual final book with the Live Village as a memento for the kids to add to their library.

I know many wanted me to make the focus of this book about the negative aspects of these kid’s lives, but I felt that would exploit them, which is totally unfair on them.

I have absolutely no regret with the path I’ve chosen for this book and the consequences of that choice. I’m happy. The kids are happy. And thats all that really matters to me.

Want to know more about the work Nadine is doing? contact her via mail nadine.jeffrey@gmail.com or check out her graphic design blog nadesjef.blogspot.com

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disparate // events

DRINK DRUNK DODGEBALL DRINK! The 6th annual Dodgeball party was without a doubt a major date on Disparates’s events calender. The party, held on the fields of UKZN with Chris Muller at the forefront of the event, is definately a student gig not to be missed.

A field full of eager students, amateur sportsmen, cheap booze, spandex, the occasional boerie roll and most of all the party hard attitudes. We cant wait for the next one...if it ever happens!

FASHION

DUT

disparate // events

As expected, the department of Fashion and Textiles at the Durban University of Technology pulled out all the stops for their annual fashion show with the theme “Fibres of my Avatar”

SHOW

disparate // reviews

Channel Orange Frank Ocean Top Tracks: Thinkin Bout You ; Bad Religion

Driving around with a friend one night, I heard the emotion drenched falsetto of what seems like a love lorn man.The song stunned me with just a few words. It is Frank Ocean’s Thinkin Bout You off the album Channel Orange.

A deeply moving record, Ocean is devastatingly honest about himself and his views on life, society and love. It pulls you in with his stories of love, explaining with real vulnerability that takes you to that place and let’s you experience his experience.

He isn’t without bite though, Ocean sees it all and isn’t afraid to point out what is going on or ask difficult questions. This album takes you on a journey that will make you uncomfortable in its truth and will still be able to draw you close with it’s delicate moments. A superbly crafted and an eclectic listen, Ocean’s influences range through jazz, electronica, alternative and funk, though keeping true to hip-hop roots. Ocean is a revolutionary - making borders nonexistent in terms of genre and as an honest man expressing himself in a world that can so often be judgmental. He’s taken the alternative route and left tracks for others to follow.

A definite best for 2012.

Three years down the line,the XX return with Coexist and prove that after all this time they still have me under their thumb, though like that ex-lover, they are the same yet different in many ways after reappearing in your life. They stick to the formula that works for them - hushed, yet intense vocals, stripped down melodies and beats that mirror your pulse.

Sonically, Coexist does not venture far from their original sound and if anything, serves as a ultra refined effort.

The XX Coexist Top Tracks: Reunion ; Angels

However The XX choose to spin it, the result of their combined effort is beautiful. Intense yet vulnerable, they somehow find ways to express so eloquently the myriad complexities of the heart. They seem taken aback by their success and the fact that so many others hold tightly to their music, but it isn’t surprising at all when you realize: we are all seeking that quiet affirmation from each other that we have a common understanding in the way that we love and what pain means and how it feels. Coexist is one of those places where all our paths converge in this aspect and its difficult not to feel like we are being held together yet are falling apart at the same time while listening.

>>> MUSIC Gossamer Passion Pit Top Tracks: Constant Conversations, Cry like a Ghost

After their 2007 release, Manners, fell for the effervescent synth-pop and was an immediate fan. Since then I’ve been waiting for more electronic heaven and Gossamer did not disappoint.

Though their core sound remains intact, Gossamer offers a more layered and complex sound.

As with previous Passion Pit music, it is easy to over look darker lyrics that seem disguised by the dizzy-happy melody and the high-pitched wail of Michael Angelakos.

Darker subjects like depression, repressed anger, anxiety, mental instability and drug use are central themes on the album. The lightness of the music throws a veil over these themes, like a broken person who smiles as to show people that they’re alright, when they couldn’t be further from it - it’s a brave face looking over a sea of inward sadness.

Angelakos speaks rehabilitation, possible suicide, trying to find acceptance and peace in an uncaring world and holding on to a love that has stayed despite the odds.

It is difficult not to be moved by Gossamer once you leave yourself open to the profound honesty that it offers. Angelakos makes you feel like you aren’t going through troubles alone and that there is hope, even when you might think all is lost. A stunning effort that will change the way you listen to Passion Pit.

disparate // reviews

Shame Steve McQueen Starring Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan It all revolves around the character of Michael Fassbender’s, Brandon, who on the surface is just another silent New Yorker living the harsh city’s dream complete with the job, apartment and friended boss.

It is just below this cool exterior that we find a man consumed by his own selected separation from the world, suspended from it and all its ordinary effects that seem to elude him. Living a life in almost utter isolation, Brandon is a sex addict fighting for – and in many ways rebelling against – any real human connection. From internet porn that can only be described as “filthy”, to prostitutes and online temptresses whom he needn’t wake up next to in the morning; Brandon will try anything for satisfaction. Not even man-on-man or upthe-skirt action in a public seems to be too far for him to get it. It is when his sister Cissy (Carey Mulligan) comes for a surprise visit that we get a glimpse of the real Brandon shielded in bad memories from their childhood.

Director Steve McQueen is able to poignantly capture an island of a human being who will sex anything he can, while also managing to incite sympathy for a man who is almost incapable of creating or maintaining a healthy relationship with anyone to breaking point.

>>> MOVIES Drive Nicolas Winding Refn Starring Ryan Gosling What do you get when you combine the best sights and sounds of the ‘80s with some of the greatest acting talent of today and the most stylish film making in recent years into one glorious collision of a movie?

Drive. Cannes-favoured director, Nicolas Winding Refn’s thrilling new “neo-noir” masterpiece.

By day, the lead character (Gosling) – mysteriously only referred to as “the Driver” – makes an honest living as a mechanic, After hours, however, he moonlights as a getaway driver.

Shot slicker than a music video by cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel, Drive never lags behind. Instead it charges on full throttle, gliding gracefully through car chases that leave Fast & Furious in the dust and gruesome murders that supersede Scarface.

Cliff Martinez’s synth symphony of a score is also a winning weapon here, going far beyond background sounds to instead complete each frame. Then there’s Ryan Gosling. In a role with around ten full speaking sentences of dialogue to it, he finds a way to express everything from bliss to mayhem by inhibiting the character from the inside out.

Drive is an electric thrill ride that is something of bloody beauty.

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DISPARATE

EMERGING DURBAN CREATIVES /// Issue #1 // 2012