JOBURG BALLET TRIPLE BILL

JOBURG BALLET OPENS DIALOGUES, ITS FIRST SEASON OF THE YEAR, WITH THREE SHORT BALLETS AT JOBURG THEATRE

Artistic Wonder

Denis Mubiru’s vibrant, expressionistic works narrate the personal and public life stories of everyday Africans. Chaotic, raw and colourful, his style encapsulates a gritty examination of contemporary urban African issues: economic inequality, human rights, social stratification, the environment and evolving personal relationships. “My work explores the issues of identity, specifically for Black people. I explore our relationship to the word identity and how it performs socially, politically and economically. I live inside the evolving personal relationship I have with my Africa and Kampala, Uganda, in transit. Therefore, when I ask myself what it is to be human and what we define as human rights, I look to the scars of immigration and my environment that fosters it,” shares the artist. Denis has participated in numerous exhibitions throughout Africa and abroad. He is swiftly developing a strong following and a collector base who expect exciting things from this young and talented artist. Denis’ online exhibition will be available on themelrosegallery.com throughout February. themelrosegallery.com

Music And Dance Meet Healing

MOYA — a three-night musical and dance offering by songstress

Simphiwe Dana in collaboration with prolific choreographer and artistic director Gregory Maqoma, and musician Titi Luzipo as musical director — is a one-of-a-kind piece themed around healing, spirituality and connection. Simphiwe’s soothing acapella tunes, accompanied by fittingly curated dance performances, take audiences on a journey of healing. All in all, MOYA is a gentle post-pandemic reminder “to re-centre ourselves and remember the spiritual purpose of life”. ~ Kemong Mopedi MOYA runs from 3 to 5 March at the Joburg Theatre. Tickets range between R350 and R550, available at joburgtheatre.com.

Plant Love

Fascinated by the plant movement on social media and with organicism finally taking centre stage, Lauren Shantall created a series of plant portraits in acrylics aptly named Plant Babies. “It makes me happy when I see the plant world taking pride of place in urban homes and spaces, and how the two seem to be moving closer together,” says Lauren. “From this shift, we can read so many things: there’s reverence for nature, heightened awareness of greening and green issues, the place for plant therapy as an antidote to digital disconnection and the need to express care and nurture growth and positivity.” For more information on the exhibition, visit laurenshantall.com, rkcontemporary.com or flourishplantstudio.com. ~ Kemong Mopedi yourluxury.africa yourluxury.africa

Plant Babies opens to the public from 8 February to 9 March at The Yard in the Silo District, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.

Gem Setting Is No Novelty In The World Of Horology

While there are arguments as to whether precious-stone-encrusted watches date back to the 16th or early 19th century, the fact is that gem-setting is pretty much as old a tradition in watchmaking as watchmaking itself. The trend was arguably popularised in the past century by the Rolex Rainbow Daytona, but it also divided opinion, with some viewing it as a tasteless way to display wealth. Tennis legend Roger Federer could have helped soften this critical view when he stepped onto Wimbledon’s Centre Court wearing a Rolex Daytona Orange. In fact, Federer is just one of an increasing number of celebrities seen sporting gem-set watches, some outrageously gaudy, and others more understated. Here, we look at four covetable gem-set watches released by some of the world’s leading watch brands.