[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]The word calabash is derived the French word ‘Calebasse’. Calabash and gourd are often used interchangeably. The calabash is simply the dried hollow shell of a gourd used for household utensils and its among the very first crops that man cultivated.[/dropcap]Continue reading
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] The French bazaar was held on the 6th of December in Lagos. Most artisans came from different states in Nigeria to exhibit varieties of products; hand made jam, arts, crafts, sculptures, scented candles, unique gift items and many more. Bellafricana was amongst the artisans, as always, I saved you some interesting pictures.. [/dropcap]
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Lost in Lagos hosted a lifestyle event on the 29th and 30th of November where various artisans exhibited. I hope you were able to make it, if not I saved you some pictures as always. [/dropcap]
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[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Jonathan “Mavua” Lessor ( born on 26 November, 1960 ) hails from Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. He had his early education in Warri, Delta State. In 1986, he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND), Upper Credit, in painting at Auchi Polytechnic and did his National Youth Service at the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta from 1986-1987. [/dropcap]Continue reading
It is said that this dynamic new city would house at least 250,000 people and provide a workplace for another 150,000, but that it’s still a long way shy of the 17 million population, that is if we are talking about depopulating Lagos. This does not still help the traffic caused by number of vehicles on the roads which according to Lagos State Ministry of Transportation is about 1.1 million.
Now what is the future of Lagos? I stumbled upon some art works online, the urban future as foreseen by a San Francisco-based artist Michael Kerbow. The paintings are a series of acrylic and oil paintings depicting the inevitable result of human over-consumption, over-construction, and over-population of the cities, where things are headed unless we consider our actions and find a way of depopulating our cities .
This features a “humongous churning mass of cars” To Kerbow, the painting “is a good metaphor for talking about fossil fuel usage.” A Means to an End, meanwhile, is a “parable about human hubris.” Also inspired by Bruegel, it’s based on the story of Icarus. “Every day our lives are about getting from point A to B,” he says. “When you’re commuting, you’re not being mindful about what’s powering that way of existing.” Hence the smoke stack fouling the atmosphere out beyond the traffic jam.
A look at this image reminds me of how empty many towers and high rise building in Victoria Island Lagos Nigeria are. Most of the buildings were constructed with bank loans and promises that soon as they start to function, big firms and conglomerates would move in and perhaps after a few years, the construction money will start to be made back but unfortunately the rates of spaces in these buildings are so high that companies after moving in because of the posh and glamour start moving out because they cannot continue to pay the high rates, not if they want to stay in business.
In Lagos Nigeria, everyone wants to own a car, oh well, that’s past tense, now everyone not just in Lagos but in Nigeria wants to own a Private jet. According to Punch newspaper NG of Jan 2014, the Nigerian presidency has 11 private jets, and according to a Guardian publication, Nigeria tops lists of private jet owners in Africa. Now looking at this picture, I see danfo buses and ants of cars, a typical old oshodi image. This is the Lagos I know so well and I must commend this artist whom I doubt has never being to Nigeria, or Lagos for that matter.
Now when you look at the sky, you see the jets and planes. This is what will happen when we refuse to weight the consequences of every action we take.
Culled from thebusinessaim
SPOTLIGHT WEDNESDAY
El Anatsui
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Its one of those moments where you just stare at his intricate artwork and wonder, “How does someone even come up with this technique?!” [/dropcap]
According to Ewe Master Drummer Emmanuel Agbeli of Kopeyia, Ghana, Gahu is an adaptation of kokosawa, an older African drum and dance style that originated with the Yoruba people of neighboring Nigeria. The Ewe took kokosawa and increased the tempo to more than double its original value.
A traditional Gahu drumming ensemble is comprised of six different instrument types, each with a distinct construction, sound, and rhythmic character.
Master drummer Ruben Agbeli (left) of Kopeyia, Ghana, leads a Gahu drumming group on boba.
Source: http://thisworldmusic.com/gahu-african-drumming-and-dance-from-ghana/
So Yoon Lym is an artist, who was born in South Korea, but lived much of her youth in Uganda and Kenya.
Small wonder then that this part of her life has influenced her positively as an artist. She has claimed to be interested in hair styles and designs because it indicates ethnic, cultural and even political inclinations (Muse Origins, 2014).
Some of her artwork on hair design is shown below:
Source: http://museorigins.net/
Bellafricana was amongst a few artisans that were at the Chevron bazaar held in Lagos, Nigeria on the 13th of November, 2014. My team and I were there to represent Bellafricana including various other creatives present to exhibit from arts, crafts, sculpture, textile, gift items, paintings, beads, baskets and many more. Great talents in Africa I tell you.
I had to save some beautiful pictures to share with you. I absolutely love them all and I’m sure you will too.
[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] The ArtHouse Contemporary Limited will be having an Art auction today from 6-9pm at The Wheat Baker Hotel … [/dropcap]
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