Twenty Tenth

an article.

Hello,

I've been reluctant to write this — you know, the end of year piece that is supposed to summarise everything — I mean, if a picture is a thousand words and we are dealing with photography, where do you start?

We collaborated on a few themes

  1. black & white,
  2. 4-shots-story,
  3. virginity
  4. spring day
  5. red (world aids day)
  6. reflection
  7. watermarks
  8. less is more

… and we engaged in debates — ja no, those were hectic — we survived though.  What does South Africa's coat of arms say:

ǃke e: Ç€xarra ǁke (diverse people unite) — so we doing just fine, more dialogue I say, more, more!

Sadly, we also lost a grapher Palapala — I am hoping he will retain his work at the least for archival purposes so we can stand on that shoulder and learn from it. I do hope he will return, some day, one day — or at least contribute to next year's exhibition.

(I don't have a paragraph to fill the transition from the above one to the next one)

This year's crown jewels is the very first 75th Exhibition — SHOW LOVE! I've been asked a lot 'bout how did it go? how was it?  I am not sure how to answer that, but I can recall Nappy Head saying to me at 5 minutes after the exhibition opened:

… it's actually happening — we have an exhibition."

Those words are exactly the feeling I get when I think of the exhibition. We are 'graphers, with that there is always a sense that your 'best work' is never good enough and that came through with the exhibition:

… none of us expected a turnout beyond the friends we would frown upon if they had not showed up, but the response was something else beyond what I had imagined.

I had intentions of writing an entire long dribble about this year — you know like those end of year office parties where your employer is trying to sound like he cares about his/her employees, but no, like salmon I refuse.

I do think the exhibition was a perfect summary of this year — we are a collective, we are not similar, not by a long shot but that diversity is what makes

this photography.

Through the exhibition that was proved to be true. Diverse styles, divervse narratives, diverse individuals all chipping in to put the exhibition together to the last minute — as we were hanging the last photographs at 18h30 people were already rolling into to see the exhibition — it was a beautiful evening.

It goes without saying that Greer and Sam Buk put the exhibition together — much respect, much love and that good stuff that the power-puff girls are all about.

The same applies to all the 'graphers that contributed to the exhibition:

Rudzani, Sam Buk, Greer, Yizzi, DeAndre, Buchu, The Graduate, ?ALL, Uno, Sumire, Retha Ferguson and Nappy Head.

There were lessons learnt, which we will take forth to the next exhibition:

19th April 2011 (this day will mark the 4th year running) — Johannesburg.

With that we look forward to next year. Which should be an interesting year, so far in the pipelines we have these to get done:

  • Annual (a coffee table book on photography)
  • Roadtrip (is this still on?)
  • Studio (more details here)

Alas, this marks the last journal entry for the year — but one never knows, crazier things tend to happen in an even year.

Salute to:

the 'graphers — the rockstars — respect!

'till the year of the rabbit.

1ove, 2011.

22 Comments
 
  1. Khumbelo

    *bow'tizzle

    looking forward to the year ahead with y'all :) and yeah high five to you Lebogang for the awesome platform.

  2. Nappy Head

    Yeah, I can only say ditto to most of the remarks made by Lebo-G. It has been a wonderful year. There has been a lot of growth and that is largely due to the sharing of ideas and opinions. I hate clichés, but i gotta say this at least once in my lifetime: 75 is not just a website, it is a movement. It is a collective movement and a community of active believers, doers and 'passionistas'- :) Yep, a new word. The Exhibition was definitely a shift in the right direction. I can only hope that the projects we have coming up actually take place in a similar or improved fashion. I also do hope to contribute to their successes whether near or far. 75 is a space for sharing. 75 is all of us. I therefore want to thank everyone that makes 75 possible, whether it's through photographs, criticisms and/or just moral support. Ta peoples. Ta 75 :)

  3. Jeff Rikhotso

    To a good year, yeah.

  4. lebogang nkoane

    Hear hear — passionistas!

  5. Matt

    I will keep this brief.

    Being a part of @75 is a constant source of inspiration for me. I am honoured to be considered a 'grapher and I find solace/peace/inspiration/love daily in going through @75.

    Thank you all for 2010. I am really looking forward to 2011 with the rest of the @75 crew.

    Peas.

    -matt

  6. The Graduate

    much respect man. giving you a big hug from over here. thanks for having the idea. having the energy and courage to see it through to completion and making real a space for us to explore ourselves and what we see in this world.
    Love---

  7. lebogang nkoane

    Merci!

  8. Native Soul

    thank, for an awesome sum up ---
    I wanna remind u all that u have a bridge in northern EU, scandanvia to be exact
    i will gladly set up exhibtion in the most reputable space in the city i live it, and i wanna ask permission to create
    some sort of catalogue, to send with an application , for a summer exhibtion. plus i try to find the funding this side.

    we all can get by , with a little help from friends.

    MUCH respect to all at 75, may u have a blessed festive season,


    ps. for any of the CApetown Graphers, i am in the city living in kalk bay
    and will be missioning around the city until 28th.

  9. lebogang nkoane

    Olé!

    Yeah lets do a European Exhibition — may I ask though we do it after the 19th of April — alas, let me know what you need from me (and everybody) else to facilitate getting the exhibition done!

    Word.

  10. Nappy Head

    European exhibition sounds dope!. I would mos def entertain that idea. + I would send "South African" pieces through. My interpretation, haha. Let's push that as best we can.

    Also, to the native: We should link up sometime before you leave. There are a few 'graphers in Cpt. We are one less since lebo-gee ran away...

  11. lebogang nkoane

    LOL @ "ran away"

    Yep — I'm keen on the 75th.Euro.Exhibition

    :)

  12. Native Soul

    For Sure, for now i enjoy what the cape is good for, and when i hit eDanmark, i get the balls rolling.
    i am in the thinking that the show runns on a dual experience, one of wich is a normal exhibit in a white cube(gallery) and the other is a live set up in the gallery of updates and discussion , so here int he second is a projector with internet with the website running day to day.

    But im sure we all have ideas, and i would like to see how we can accomodate more dialogue around how we
    expose image making from bottom up.

    big love,

    ps
    nappy head i am running around the cbd for the next days, hit me a sms
    on my cell, only danish as for now, the rules for getting a local cell number is a bit strange
    +4531938204.

    excited to put face and energy to avatar.

  13. Palapala

    to this fantastic family 75 and in particular its creator , in the person of Lebogang a happy Christmas and prosperous new year.
    I do not personally know this great family, but for all of You, i have a admiration for the beautiful photographic work.
    I wish you all great clicks for 2011.
    A hug and we're together.

  14. lebogang nkoane

    Obrigado, Palapala!

    Hugs all round! (said in Captain Jack Sparrow's voice)

    :-)

  15. Uno

    Kanimambo Palapala, Kanimambo Lebogang, Kanimambo 75.

  16. Nappy Head

    Aha :) Palapala is back :)

    @ native. I can't really sms that number of yours - airtime is low. hehe. umm. I will be in the waterfront tomorrow around 3:50pm to take pictures of a massive kissing session. think I will wear my army hat. u can look out for that - if you are coming :) I have dreads. i dunno how u propose we can meet other than that?

  17. Jeff Rikhotso

    Phalapala i sense a beautiful soul in u. Thank you mate, may u have a wonderful festive season yourself.

    Kanimambo
    I Nkomu, na Khensa.

  18. Daz

    Passionistas.

    I are a passionista!

    75 is the real deal. And an integral part of my life. 2011 we shall redefine our passions, give 'em renewed focus ('scuse the play on words). Add the 'ista' to passion.

    1st stop. 75th. Exhibition.

  19. lebogang nkoane

    All aboard!

    Word!

  20. Tom Stewart

    Ok so i've only just registered, but i feel at home already. What a great place to be! I look forward to sharing my passion with you all this year, passionista all the way.

    Big respect for creating such a happy place for us to share our views on life and it's strange little twists and turns.

    Much love...

  21. lebogang nkoane

    ;-)

  22. Diaan

    Hey... we want a new years piece now... :P

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