2 Weeks Lock Down Extension

A Blog Post series, written during the 2 Week Lock Down Extension in South Africa as a result of the Corona Virus Pandemic.

Every day a different post was made to my social media plug in on Facebook.

Day 25: Mamma Gogo Design Expo

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Mamma Gogo Design Expo 2015 © Don's Art

Monday 20 April 2020 / 2 Weeks Lock Down Extension

Mamma Gogo Design Expo 2015

This post in particular arouses mixed feelings for me, both pain and virtue.

Imagine a world where people come together to express their creativity through a collective platform?  This creativity then sending out a magical ripple into the community, an expression of colourful talent, music and love?

Thinking back to 2015, where the Mamma Gogo Initiative partnered with Longbeach Mall for a second season, celebrating the creative talent of our corner of South Africa which showcased such amazing artistic and musical energy. It was a beautiful time. Here is a link, as a reminder to the event: the Mamma Gogo Design Expo 2015

Worth Dreaming About

I worked tirelessly on prospects for the Mamma Gogo Initiative for over two years, developing illusions of grandeur that I would somehow raise sufficient funds to trail the dream from Cape Town to Cairo. Sadly this never happened (yet). I barely raised enough funds to administer the few projects I launched, but they were well worth the experience, especially the Mamma Gogo Design Expo. My efforts in the long run were not sustainable and there was ultimately the need to adjust my focus in other directions.

I sometimes wondered what was the point of it all. Looking out at the world through my metaphorical window today, I now see how important it was. You see the Mamma Gogo Initiative, was not about me. It was about community. It was about the gathering of creative people with one voice. It was about highlighting the importance of creativity, art and music within our community. It was about the so many people that came together, sacrificing something to make this event a reality, there are so many to thank.

Whatever the reasons today, our liberties and sovereign rights are under threat. This might be a point of contention for some, but the hinges that open the doors of the human spirit are fashioned by imagination, creativity and expression.

 The importance of art & creativity in communities

Imagine a world without artistic expression. The process of dismantling all things beautiful seems to be happening before our very eyes as we become engulfed in a dictatorial world that seems to resemble George Orwell’s 1984 on steroids.

The call to artists and creativity and conscious expression has never been more profound. Art too is an essential service to society, let it not be undermined.

Mamma Gogo Mission Statement

At the time, the objectives of the Mamma Gogo campaign were to:
*explore the creative potential of communities across South Africa and ultimately Africa through a practical outreach program.
*document the diverse heritage of her people and the expression of her culture by means of a photo journal.
*engage communities (including those on social media) to the collective
story of this creative adventure.

I wonder if there will ever be another opportunity for this dream to be realised?

Day 24: the Mask

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Tigersmilk decor, wearing the mask and protective gear © Don's Art

Day 24 Sunday 19 April 2020/ 2 Weeks Lock Down Extension

Lock Down Extension Flash Back

CAUTION:
DonaldsArt is REAL !!

It is extremely infectious, with no known cure.
Set to raise all sorts of hell in your town soon!!

There is NO escape, please spread the word.

the Mask Flashback

Images of the mask bring back interesting memories. Looking at the dress code in these photos, it would appear that I was a little before my time.

This was one of those random projects I did some years back for Tigers Milk in Muizenberg. The brief was to décor the entire ceiling (of warehouse magnitude) to resemble old branded mill sacks.

The branded stenciling of the hessian sacks was the simple part. The aging process was a tad messier … using a combination of dirt, oil, food-colouring and ground coffee beans.

I am extremely grateful to those who I managed to ensnare into the project; Dylan, Kate and Phil. Completing this assignment would have been impossible without their help.

You can view a gallery of the project here

When it comes to hazardous environments remember to wear the mask 😉

Day 23: Old Master: School of Athens

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commissioned art piece of the old master: School of Athens by Raphael © Don's Art

Saturday 18 April 2020 / 2 Weeks Lock Down Extension

Old Master: School of Athens

Thinking back over some of the projects I’ve worked on over the years, this Old Master of School of Athens comes to mind. (be sure to browse through my other art galleries of work)

Limnos Bakery Greenpoint. Acrylic on Supawood (1.8 by 2.8 meters)

This is a recreation of ‘The School of Athens’ by the master Raphael. I was commissioned to do this piece for Limnos Bakery, Greenpoint, Cape Town, some years back. If ever you are in the area after the lock-down, go check it out. Their bakery offerings are pretty decadent too. 

Over the years I have developed much respect for the old masters – besides the detail, perspective, architectural study, composition and story-telling ability, the original of this piece is many times larger than mine. Without the benefit of technology, the old masters also could not cut corners like we artists do today, even down to the process of mixing their own paints.

Many great masterpieces around the world now wait in silence for their audiences while we remain in confinement. I have no doubt that the energy of these great works still remains in their silent hallways.

Unfortunately I have limited access to art materials during the lock-down. Time is spent on other things like working through folders of unedited photographs (watch this space), cleaning out my drawers and the cobwebs in my mind. The devil is in the detail, so the saying goes, or God … whatever your perspective.

School of Athens

The School of Athens represents all the greatest mathematicians, philosophers and scientists from classical antiquity gathered together sharing their ideas and learning from each other. These figures all lived at different times, but in the painting they are gathered together under one roof.

Commentators have suggested that nearly every great ancient Greek philosopher can be found in the painting, but determining which are depicted is speculative, since Raphael made no designations outside possible likenesses, and no contemporary documents explain the painting.

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